The Language of Anatomy

Anatomical Position

Standard reference position used in anatomy

Anatomical Position

Person is standing upright, facing forward, upper limbs hanging at the sides, and palms facing forward

Anatomical terms

remain the same regardless of how the person is positioned

Anatomical position

what type of body position is this

Supine Position

Person is lying on their back

Supine Position

Face is directed upward/toward the ceiling

Supine position

What type of body position is this

Prone Position

Person is lying on their stomach

Prone Position

Face is directed downward/toward the ground

Prone Position

What type of body position is this

Superior (cephalic)

toward the head; above (directional terms)

Superior (cephalic)

example: the head is ________ to the chest (directional terms)

Superior (cephalic)

what directional term is this?

Inferior (caudal)

toward the feet/tailbone; below (directional terms)

Inferior (caudal)

The stomach is ______ to the heart

Inferior (caudal)

what directional term is this?

Medial

Toward the midline/center (directional terms)

Medial

The nose is _____ to the eyes

Medial

what directional term is this?

Lateral

Away from the midline/center

Lateral

The ears are _____ to the eyes (directional terms)

Lateral

what directional term is this?

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment (directional terms)

Proximal

The arm is ______ to the hand (directional terms)

Proximal

what directional term is this?

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment (directional terms)

Distal

The forearm is ______ to the shoulder (directional terms)

Distal

what directional term is this?

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front (directional terms)

Anterior (ventral)

The palms are located ________ (directional terms)

Anterior (ventral)

what directional term is this?

Posterior (dorsal)

toward the back (directional terms)

Posterior (dorsal)

The buttocks are located ________ (directional terms)

Posterior (dorsal)

what directional term is this?

Intermediate

Between two structures (directional terms)

Intermediate

The elbow is _______ between the shoulder and the wrist (directional terms)

ipsilateral

Two structures are on the same side of the body (directional terms)

Ipsilateral

the spleen is _______ to the stomach (directional terms)

Contralateral

Structures are on opposite sides of the body (directional terms)

Contralateral

The left and right kidneys are ________ (directional terms)

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body (directional terms)

Superficial

The ribs are _______ to the lungs (directional terms)

Deep

Farther away from the surface of the body (directional terms)

Deep

The ribs are _______ to the skin of the chest and back (directional terms)

Regional Terms (Anterior)

Cephalic

Head & Neck (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Frontal

Forehead (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Orbital

Eye (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Nasal

Nose (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Oral

Mouth (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Cervical

Neck (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Otic

Ear (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Buccal

Cheek (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Mental

Chin (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Thoracic

Thorax (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Pectoral

Chest (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Sternal

Breastbone (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Mammary

Breast (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Abdominal

Abdomen (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Umbilical

Navel (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Pelvic

Pelvis (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Inguinal

Groin (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Pubic

Genital region (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Clavicular

Collarbone (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Axillary

Armpit (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Brachial

Arm (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Antecubital

Front of elbow (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Antebrachial

Forearm (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Manual

hand (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Coxal

Hip (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Femoral

Thigh (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Patellar

Kneecap (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Crural

Leg (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Pedal

foot (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Pollex

thumb (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Palmar

Palm (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Digital

fingers (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Talus

Ankle (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Dorsum

Top of foot (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Digital

toes (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Hallux

Big toe

Cranial

Skull (Regional Terms (Posterior))

Occipital

Base/back of the skull (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Nuchal

Back of neck (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Dorsal

Back (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Sacral

Between the hips (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Gluteal

Buttock (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Perineal

Perineum (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Scapular

Shoulder blade

Vertebral

Spinal column (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Lumbar

Lower back (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Acromial

Point of elbow (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Dorsum

Back of hand (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Popliteal

Hollow, behind knee (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Sural

Calf (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Plantar

Sole of foot (Regional Terms (Anterior))

Calcaneal

Heel

Abdominopelvic quadrants and region

divided into 4 quadrants and region

Left-upper quadrant

what is this