anatomical language

Anatomical Position

Standard orientation used for describing human anatomy where the individual stands upright, facing forward with legs parallel, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

SOFT

An acronym used to easily memorize the four primary types of body planes (Sagittal, Oblique, Frontal, Transverse).

Body Planes

Hypothetical flat surfaces used to describe the precise location of structures within the human body.

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that runs side-to-side through the center of the body, dividing it into anterior (front) and posterior (back) regions.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane running from front to back, dividing the body into right and left regions.

Midsagittal Plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body directly down the midline into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal Plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into unequal right and left portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane running through the midsection, dividing the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions.

Oblique Plane

A plane oriented at any angle other than horizontal or vertical (non-parallel or non-right-angled).

Body Cavity

A fluid-filled space within the body that houses and protects internal organs.

Dorsal Cavity

A posterior cavity enclosing the head and back of the trunk, divided into the cranial and spinal cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Upper division of the dorsal cavity housed within the skull that contains the brain.

Spinal Cavity

Narrow space extending through the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Anterior body cavity located on the front of the trunk, housing major internal organ systems.

Thoracic Cavity

Chest cavity holding the lungs and heart, subdivided into two pleural cavities and one pericardial cavity.

Pleural Cavity

Cavity containing the lungs within the thoracic region.

Pericardial Cavity

Cavity containing the heart within the thoracic region.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Lower trunk cavity containing digestive, renal, reproductive, and excretory organs.

Abdominal Cavity

Upper section of the abdominopelvic cavity housing the digestive organs and kidneys.

Pelvic Cavity

Lower section of the abdominopelvic cavity housing organs of reproduction and excretion.

Directional Terms

Terms used to describe the relative positions and relationships between anatomical structures.

Anterior

in front of another structure.

Axial

Positioned around or along a central axis.

Bilateral

Relating to or involving both the right and left sides of the body.

Caudal

Positioned toward the back or tail end of the body.

Contralateral

Located on the opposite side of the body relative to another structure.

Distal

Situated farther away from the point of origin

Dorsal

Located near the upper surface or toward the back.

Inferior

Positioned below or under another structure.

Intermediate

Located in the middle between two distinct structures.

Ipsilateral

Situated on the same side of the body as another structure.

Lateral

Positioned toward the side or away from the central midline.

Medial

Positioned toward the midline or middle of the body.

Parietal

Relating directly to the outer wall of a body cavity.

Posterior

Positioned behind, following, or toward the rear of the body.

Proximal

Located near or closer to the point of origin or attachment.

Rostral

Oriented toward the front

Superior

Positioned above or over another structure.

Unilateral

Involving or affecting only one side of the body.

Ventral

Located toward the bottom or belly side.

Visceral

Relating directly to the internal organs contained within body cavities.

Superficial

Positioned toward the surface of the body.

Deep

Positioned inward or further away from the body surface.

Abduction

Movement of a limb or body structure away from the central axis of the body.

Adduction

Movement of a limb or body structure toward the central axis of the body.

Extension

A straightening movement that increases the angle at a joint.

Flexion

A bending movement that decreases the angle at a joint.

Hyperextension

Forced or excessive extension of a joint beyond its normal range of motion.

Hyperflexion

Forced or excessive flexion of a joint beyond its normal range of motion.

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces downward or backward.

Supination

Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces upward or forward in anatomical position.

Rotation

Turning or revolving a body part around its own axis.

Circumduction

Circular movement of a limb describing a cone shape, combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Dorsiflexion

Flexion at the ankle joint causing the foot to point upward or superiorly.

Plantarflexion

Extension at the ankle joint causing the foot to point downward or inferiorly.

Exert

Outward turning of the sole of the foot at the ankle joint.

Invert

Inward turning of the sole of the foot at the ankle joint.