Anatomical Terminology

Anatomy

Study of the structure of the body.

Physiology

Study of the function of the body.

Pathology

Study of disease, including causes, nature, and effects.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Cytology

Study of cells.

Gross Anatomy

Structures visible to the naked eye.

Regional Anatomy

Study one body area at a time.

Systemic Anatomy

Study one system across the whole body.

Anatomical Position

Standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward, feet flat, facing forward.

Superior

Toward the head.

Inferior

Toward the feet.

Anterior

Front.

Posterior

Back.

Medial

Toward the midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment.

Ipsilateral

Same side.

Contralateral

Opposite side.

Superficial

Near the surface.

Deep

Away from the surface.

Sagittal

Divides body into left and right.

Midsagittal

Equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal

Unequal left and right parts.

Transverse

Divides body into top and bottom.

Coronal / Frontal

Divides body into front and back.

Oblique

Diagonal division.

Thoracic cavity

Contains the lungs and heart.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Divided into abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Contains the stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines.

Pelvic cavity

Contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Cranial cavity

Holds the brain.

Vertebral cavity

Houses the spinal cord.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.