Human Anatomy and Physiology Chapter 1

Terms to know

Anatomical Position

Anatomical Position

This is a standard reference position used in anatomy. It means standing upright with feet together, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward. It’s used to describe the relative positions of body structures.

Supine

This term describes a person lying face up on their back with the palms facing up. It’s the opposite of prone.

Prone

This is when a person is lying face down, with the front of the body facing downward. It’s the opposite of supine.

Anterior

Refers to the front side of the body. For example, the chest is on the anterior side of the torso.

Ventral

This term is often used interchangeably with anterior. It refers to the belly side of the body.

Posterior/Dorsal

The back side of the body. For example, the shoulder blades are located on the posterior side of the torso.

Cranial/Cephalic

Relating to the head or skull. It’s the uppermost part of the body.

Superior

Means higher or above. It’s used to describe a structure’s position relative to another. For example, the head is superior to the neck.

Caudal

Refers to the tail or lower part of the body. It’s the opposite of cranial.

Inferior

Means lower or below. It describes a structure’s position relative to another. For instance, the feet are inferior to the knees.

Medial

This term describes a structure that is closer to the midline or center of the body. For example, the heart is medial to the lungs.

Lateral

Refers to a structure that is farther away from the midline or toward the side of the body. For instance, the ears are lateral to the nose.

Proximal

Used to describe a structure that is closer to the point of attachment or origin. For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Distal

This term is the opposite of proximal. It describes a structure that is farther away from the point of attachment or origin. For instance, the fingers are distal to the hand.

Superficial

Refers to a structure that is closer to the surface of the body. For example, the skin is superficial to the muscles.

Deep

Means farther away from the surface and closer to the interior. For instance, organs like the heart are deep within the body.

Transverse Plane

Also known as the horizontal plane, it divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions.

Frontal/Coronal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sides.

Midsagittal Plane

A specific sagittal plane that runs along the midline, dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

Ventral Cavity

The front or anterior cavity in the body, which contains organs like the lungs, heart, and digestive organs.

Dorsal Cavity

The posterior cavity, which includes the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the spinal cavity (housing the spinal cord).

Thoracic Cavity

Located in the chest area and contains the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels.

Abdominal Cavity

The region below the thoracic cavity that houses digestive organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Pelvic Cavity

The lower part of the abdominal cavity that contains reproductive organs, the bladder, and parts of the intestines.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

A term used to describe the combined abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Diaphragm

A muscular partition separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities, important for breathing.

Pleural Cavity

The space between the layers of the pleura (membrane around the lungs).

Pericardial Cavity

The space around the heart, between the visceral and parietal pericardium.

Mediastinum

The central area in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, large blood vessels, and other vital structures.

Peritoneal Cavity

The space within the abdominal cavity that is lined by the peritoneum.

Visceral Pleura

The inner layer of the pleura that covers the surface of the lungs.

Parietal Pleura

The outer layer of the pleura that lines the chest cavity.

Visceral Pericardium

The inner layer of the pericardium that covers the surface of the heart.

Parietal Pericardium

The outer layer of the pericardium that surrounds the heart.

Visceral Peritoneum

The inner layer of the peritoneum that covers abdominal organs.

Parietal Peritoneum

The outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the abdominal cavity.

Bronchial

Relating to the bronchi, which are the air passages leading to the lungs.

Antebrachial

Pertaining to the forearm, which extends from the elbow to the wrist.

Carpal

Referring to the wrist, the area where the hand connects to the forearm.

Manual

Relating to the hand or hands.

Gluteal

Pertaining to the buttocks or the gluteal muscles.

Tarsal

Relating to the tarsus, which is the ankle region.

Pedal

Pertaining to the foot or feet.

Plantar

Referring to the sole of the foot.

Frontal

Relating to the forehead or the front part of the skull.

Ocular/Orbital

Referring to the eye or the eye socket.

Buccal

Pertaining to the cheek or the inside of the mouth.

Mental

Relating to the chin.

Oral

Referring to the mouth or the oral cavity.

Umbilical

Relating to the navel or belly button.

Axillary

Pertaining to the armpit or the underarm region.

Cervical

Referring to the neck or the cervical spine.

Patellar

Relating to the kneecap or the patella.

Cephalic

Pertaining to the head.

Dorsal

Referring to the back or the upper side.

Olecranal

Pertaining to the elbow or the olecranon process.

Crural

Referring to the leg or the shin region.