Anatomy Basics

Gross Anatomy

Study of anatomical structures that can be viewed with the naked eye.

Histology

Study of anatomical structures that are so small they can only be seen with a microscope.

Embryology

Study of how body structures develop before birth.

Pathology

Study of structural changes in cells, tissues, and organs caused by disease or trauma.

Anatomical Position

A common reference position where an individual stands upright, toes forward, palms facing forward, arms by the sides.

Median (midsagittal) plane

Divides the body into right and left portions.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (axial) plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Anterior

Towards the front; often interchangeable with ventral in humans.

Posterior

Towards the back; often interchangeable with dorsal in humans.

Superior

Towards the head; also referred to as cranial.

Inferior

Towards the feet; also referred to as caudal.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Towards the body or beginning of a limb.

Distal

Towards the end of a limb.

Superficial

Closer towards the surface of the body.

Deep

Further inside from the surface of the body.

Cephalic

Refers to the head region.

Cervical

Refers to the neck region.

Thoracic

Refers to the thorax or chest region.

Abdominal

Refers to the abdomen or belly region.

Pelvic

Refers to the pelvic region.

Pubic

Refers to the genital region.

Brachial

Refers to the arm region.

Antebrachial

Refers to the forearm region.

Femoral

Refers to the thigh region.

Crural

Refers to the leg region.