Unit 2: Anatomical Organization

Anatomical position

Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward with thumbs pointing away from body

Diretional terms

Describe one body structure in relation to another body structure

• Based on standard anatomicl position

• Right/left refers to the body being viewed

Superior

Toward the head end or supper part of a structure or the body; above

Inferior

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

Anterior

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of

Posterior

Toward or at the back of the body; behind

Cranial

Relating to the skull

Caudal

Relating to the tail

Ventral

Belly

Dorsal

Relating to the back

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a blimb to the body trunk

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface; external

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal

Axial

One of the 2 major divisions of the body

• Head

• Neck

• Trunk

Appendicular

One of the 2 major divisions of body

• Limbs (legs and arms)

Regional terms

Designate specific areas within body divisions

Cephalic

Head

Frontal

Forhead/frontal bone of the head

Orbital

The bone structure/cavity that holds/protects the eyeball

Nasal

Nose

Oral

Mouth

Mental

Chin

Cervical

Neck

Thoracic

Thorax (between neck and chest)
Chest

Sternal

Sternum (breastbone in center of the chest)

Axillary

Armpit (AXE)

Mammary

sweat gland on the chest

Abdominal

The Abdomenen

Umbilical

Navel/belly button
Scar from fetal umbilical cord attachment

Pelvic

Basin-shaped ring of bones that connects to the base of the spine and legs

Inguinal

Groin

Lower abdominal area above the thighs

Pubic

The structure of the pubic bone and the joint located at the lower front part of the pelvis

Acromial

Point of shoulder

Brachial

Upper arm

Antebrachial

Forearm

Antecubital

Front elbow

Olecranal

Back of elbow

Manus

Hands

Carpal

Wrist

Meta carpal

Main hand (body)

Pollex

Thumb

Digital

Fingers/Toes

Palmar

Palm

Scapular

Shoulder blades

Lumbar

Lower back

Gluteal

Buttock

Coxal

Hip

Femoral

Thigh (covers femor)

Patellar

Front of knee

Popliteal

Back of knee

Curural

Front of lower leg shin

Sural

Back lower leg (claf)

Fibular

Lateral side of lower legs

Pedal

Foot

Tarsal

Ankle

Metatatarsal

Main foot

Calcaneal

Heel

Tarsal

Sole of foot

Hallux

Great toe

Sagittal plane

Divides body vertically into right and left parts

Midsagittal (median) plane

Cut was made perfectly on midline (has to be symmetrical)

Parasagittal plane

Cut was off-centered, not on midline

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides body vertically into anterior and posterior parts (front and back)

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides body horizontally (90˚ to vertical plane) into superior and inferior parts (top and bottom)

Cross section

What does transverse (horizontal) plane produce
Sliced into flat 2D