Anatomy Lecture 1: The human Body Orientation

Anatomy

the study of the structure of the human body

Physiology

the study of body function

Histology

Microscopic anatomy

Pathology

Changes in cells, tissues, organs due to disease

organ system

a unified group of organs and tissues that perform a specific function

skeletal system

provides structure to the body and protects internal organs

muscular system

supports the body and allows it to move

digestive system

breaks down food and absorbs its nutrients

respiratory system

takes in oxygen and releases waste gases

nervous system

controls sensation, thought, movement, and virtually all other body activities

circulatory system

transports oxygen, nutrients, and other substances to cells and carries away wastes

Anatomical position

person stands or lays with feet together and eyes forward, pals face anteriorly with the thumbs pointed away from the body (common reference point)

axial region

axis of body - head, neck, and trunk

appendicular region

appendages

superior

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

inferior

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

anterior (ventral)

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

posterior (dorsal)

the back portion of the body

medial

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

lateral

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

superficial

describe positions relative to the surface of the body or the relationship of one structure to another underlying or overlying structure; toward the surface

deep

away from the surface

external

outside or further away from the center of an organ or cavity

internal

inside of closer to the center of an organ or cavity

proximal

nearer to the attachment of the limb

distal

farther away from the attachment of the limb

infero-medial

nearer to the feet and median plane

supero-lateral

nearer to the head and farther away from the median plane

bilateral

paired structures having right and left members

unilateral

structures occurring on one side only

ipsilateral

occurring on the same side of the body as another structure

contralateral

occurring on the opposite side of the body relative to another structure (ex. right and left hemispheres of the brain)

sagittal plane

vertically splits/divides the body into right and left parts

median (midsagittal) plane

sagittal plane that runs along the midline

parasagittal plane

sagittal plane offset from the midline

frontal (coronal) plane

lies vertically and divides body into anterior and posterior parts

transverse plane

runs horizontally and divides body into superior and inferior parts (top and bottom)