Language of Anatomy for Lab

Anatomical Position

standing erect, heels together, arms at side with palms anterior and thumbs lateral: Always assume this position when studying anatomy.

Axial

midline, core of the body

Appendicular

limbs, appendages

Prone

face down in anatomical position

Supine

face up in anatomical position

Superior

higher up on the body, closer to head

Inferior

lower down on the body

Cephalic

higher up on body

Caudal

lower down on the body

Anterior(ventral)

front view of body

Posterior(dorsal)

back view of body

Medial

closer to the midline of the body

Lateral

farther out from the midline of the body

Superficial

closer to surface

Deep

deeper into

Proximal

closer to the trunk of the body

Distal

father from the trunk of the body

Cephalic

towards the head

Frontal

forehead

Orbital

eye

Nasal

nose

Oral

mouth

Mental

chin

Buccal

cheeks

Cervical

neck area

Acromial

shoulder area

Thoracic/pectoral

chest area

Mammary

breast

Sternal

middle of thorax

Abdominal

abdomen

Umbilical

belly button

Coxal

hip

Inguinal

groin area

Perineal

area between anus and genitals

Pubic

genitals

Pudendal

outer genitals

Otic

ear area

Occipital

back and bottom of the head

Vertebral

spine

Scapular

shoulders

Lumbar

back of ribs to hips

Sacral

lower back, sacrum

Gluteal

buttocks

Axillary

armpit area

Brachial

arm

Cubital

elbow

Olecranon

bump of the elbow

Antebrachial

lower arm

Carpal

wrist

Digital

4 fingers, 4 toes

Pollex

thumb

Manual

entire hand

Femoral

front of thigh

Geniculate

bent abruptly, like at the knee

Patellar

front of knee

Popliteal

back of knee

Fibular (Peroneal)

lateral lower leg

Crural

lower leg

Sural

calf region

Tarsal

ankle region

Calcaneal

heel of the foot

Pedal

foot area

Dorsum

top of foot

Plantar

sole of foot

Hallux

big toe

Divisions of Abdomen

nine sections, 4 quadrants

Median (Midsagittal plane)

a section down the midline.

 Parasagittal plane

not on the midline, but still parallel to the assumed midline of the body (. E.g. CT scans).

Frontal/Coronal(crown) Plane

A section from side to side divides the ventral & dorsal surfaces.

Horizontal Plane

cross sectional divide (e.x. magician cutting someone in half)

Dorsal body cavity

contains the cranial and vertebral cavity

Cranial Cavity

contains the brain

Vertebral Canal

contains the spine/spinal cord

Ventral Body Cavities

contains thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, and pelvic cavity

Thoracic cavity

cavity housing lungs and heart

Abdominal cavity

contains stomach, intestants, spleen, liver, etc.

Pelvic Cavity

contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

Serous membranes

specialized dual layered membranes

Parietal

outer layer of the serous membrane

Visceral

inner layer of the serous membrane

Serous fluid

small amount of fluid that allows for almost frictionless movement of the organs within them

Integumentary System

Skin, dermis, and glands. Regulation and protection prevents water loss.

Skeletal System

Bones, cartilages, ligaments, and tendons. Protection and support, blood cell production.

Muscular System

Muscles attached to bones. Movements, posture, and generates heat.

Nervous System

Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors. Regulates and coordinates sensation and movement, and many other functions.

Endocrine System

Pituitary, thymus, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, ovaries, testes, and pancreas. Regulation and maintenance of growth, metabolism, etc.

Cardiovascular System

Heart, blood vessels, and blood. Transport of nutrients and waste, immune function.

Lymphatic System

Vessels, nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils and lymph tissue. Immune response, circulatory functions, fat absorption.

Respiratory System

Nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, lungs, and bronchi. O2 and CO2 exchange.

Digestive System

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Mechanical and chemical breakdown of ingested foods, and absorption.

Urinary System

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Waste removal, regulates pH, water balance.

Reproductive Systems

Male – Testes, prostate, scrotum, penis, and the duct system. Female – Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, mammary glands, and vagina. Produce sex cells and sex hormones.