Anatomy Basics: Positions, Planes, Fascia, and Skeletal System

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering basic anatomical terminology, positions, planes, fascial layers, and the skeletal system.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position where the human body is regarded as standing erect, eyes looking forward, upper limbs hanging by the sides, palms facing forward, and thumbs directed laterally.

Supine Position

A body position in which the body lies flat on its back.

Prone Position

A body position in which the body lies flat on its face.

Lithotomy Position

A body position where the body lies on its back with flexion of the hip and knee joints and abduction of the hip joints.

Lateral Decubitus Position

A body position where the body lies on its side (either right or left).

Median Plane (Sagittal)

The vertical plane passing through the middle line of the body, dividing it into equal right and left halves.

Paramedian Plane

A vertical plane parallel to and located near the median plane.

Coronal Plane (Frontal)

A vertical plane that cuts the body into an anterior part towards the front and a posterior part towards the back.

Horizontal Plane (Transverse)

A transverse plane running horizontally that cuts the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts.

Anterior / Ventral

Anatomical position term meaning in front, or nearer to the front of the body.

Posterior / Dorsal / Retro-

Anatomical position term meaning behind, or nearer to the back of the body.

Superior / Upper / Cranial

Anatomical position term meaning nearer to the upper end of the body.

Inferior / Lower / Caudal

Anatomical position term meaning nearer to the lower end of the body.

Medial

Anatomical position term meaning nearer to the median plane.

Lateral

Anatomical position term meaning away from the median plane.

Proximal

Anatomical position term meaning nearer to the root of the limb.

Distal

Anatomical position term meaning away from the root of the limb.

Superficial

Anatomical position term meaning towards the skin or body surface.

Deep

Anatomical position term meaning away from the skin or body surface.

Peri-

Anatomical prefix meaning around.

Oligo-

Anatomical prefix meaning little.

Superficial Fascia

A layer of loose connective tissue lying just deep to the skin that allows skin to move freely over underlying structures and acts as a thermal insulator.

Deep Fascia

A non-elastic membrane formed of compact and regular collagen fibers; well defined in the limbs and palm/sole, but absent in the face and anterior abdominal wall.

Retinacula

Localized transverse thickened bands of deep fascia around wrist and ankle joints that keep tendons in position.

Palmar and Plantar Aponeuroses

Very thick and strong layers of deep fascia located in the palm and sole to protect underlying vessels, nerves, and tendons.

Carotid Sheath

A fibrous sheath formed by deep fascia in the neck surrounding the common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve.

Axial Skeleton

The skeleton section comprising the skull, mandible, hyoid, sternum, and ribs.

Appendicular Skeleton

The peripheral skeleton section located in the upper and lower limbs.

Intra-membranous Ossification

Bone formation process where bones develop directly from a connective tissue membrane (mesenchyme), such as in the clavicle and skull cap.

Intra-cartilaginous Ossification

Bone formation process where mesenchyme is first changed into a cartilage model, which then dissolves and is replaced by bone.

Epiphysis

The expanded upper or lower end of a long bone used for articulation and covered with articular hyaline cartilage.

Diaphysis (Shaft)

A tube of compact bone with a central medullary cavity lined with endosteum and filled with bone marrow, covered externally by periosteum.

Epiphyseal Cartilage

A disc of hyaline cartilage separating the epiphysis and diaphysis in growing long bones, responsible for growth in length.

Metaphysis

The portion of a long bone lying just beneath the epiphyseal cartilage, representing the most active part of a growing long bone.

Diploe

The layer of spongy bone situated between the outer and inner tables of compact bone in skull bones.

Pneumatic Bones

Air-containing skull bones surrounding the nose (e.g., maxillary and frontal bones) that decrease skull weight and add resonance to the voice.

Sesamoid Bones

Small nodules of bones embedded in muscle tendons (e.g., patella) that diminish friction between tendons and underlying bones.

Growing End

The end of a long bone shaft where the epiphyseal plate continues adding bone for an extra 2 to 3 years after the opposite end has ossified.

Nutrient Artery

Artery entering the middle of a bone shaft through an oblique nutrient foramen, supplying the inner two-thirds of the shaft thickness and the bone marrow.