Anatomy and Physiology - Anatomical Terminology & Medical Imaging

What is the Anatomical Position?

The standard map of the human body with the person standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward

• Increases precision of body viewing/understanding and serves as a reference for anatomical terminology

What are the 3 body planes?

Sagittal, frontal, and transverse

What is the Sagittal Plane?

Divides body/organs vertically into right and left sides

• Equal vertical sides = mid sagittal or median plane

• Unequal vertical sides = parasagittal plane or longitudinal section

What is the Frontal Plane?

Divides body/organs into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion

• Also known as the coronal plane, it allows for viewing of body parts in a front-back orientation.

What is the Transverse Plane?

Divides body/organs into a horizontal upper/lower portions

• Produces images referred to as cross sections

Anterior

(ventral) Front direction of body, ex: toes are anterior to foot

Posterior

(dorsal) Back direction of body

Superior

(cranial) A position higher than another

Inferior

(caudal) A position lower than another

Lateral

a position to the side (left or right) to another

Medial

middle direction to the body

Proximal

a position on a limb nearer to the point of attachment

Distal

a position on a limb further from the point of attachment

Superficial

a position closer to the surface of the body

Deep

a position further from the surface of the body

What are Body Cavities?

Spaces within the body that contain and protect vital/delicate internal organs, allows for organ size change as they perform their functions

What are the largest body cavities?

The dorsal (posterior) and ventral (anterior) cavities

Which cavities are within the dorsal cavity?

Cranial and vertebral cavities (extends to pelvic cavity)

Which cavities are within the ventral body cavity?

Thoracic, abdominal, pelvic

Which cavities are within the thoracic cavity?

Superior mediastinum (heart cavity), pleural cavity (lungs), pericardial cavity within mediastinum

What separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities?

The diaphragm

What is an X-Ray?

High energy electromagnetic radiation with a short wavelength capable of penetrating solids and ionizing gases

• Emitted from an x-ray machine and directed toward a plate behind a patient, captures hard tissues (bone) and produces a shadow of them to show

Computed Tomography (CT)

Uses computers to analyze cross-sectional x-rays

• Reveals minute details about smaller structures in the body

• Patient lies on a platform while computerized axial Tomography rotates 360*, taking x-ray images from various angles to create detailed cross-sectional images of internal organs and tissues.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Uses nuclear physics, malignant tissue detects differently so doctors can point it out and address it

• fMRIs detect blood flow concentration, used to study activities in the brain during different activities

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Uses radiopharmaceuticals (emits short lived radiation), and PET scan techniques to illustrate physiological activity (metabolism, blood flow, etc.)

• Can diagnose heart disease, cancer spread, infection, brain abnormalities, bone disease, and thyroid disease

Ultrasonography

Uses high-frequency sound waves to generate an echo signal that gives an image of anatomy and physiology, least invasive

• Used to study heart function, blood flow in extremities, gallbladder disease, fetal growth and development