Anatomical Positions

AB

Anatomy

the study of structures and the relationships among structures

Physiology

the study of how body structures function

Anatomical position

body is erect with the feet parallel and the arms hanging at the sides with palms facing forward

Anterior

to be situated near or toward the front of the body

Posterior

to be situated toward the back of the body

Superior

to be situated towards the upper part or head of the body, positioned above another organ or stucture

Inferior

to be situated toward the lower part of the body or positioned below another organ or structure

Cranial

refers to the head end

Caudal

refers to the tail end

Medial

to be closer to the midline of the body or a structure, internal, toward the midline

Lateral

to be farther away, in the direction of either side, away from the midline

Proximal

toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part

Distal

away from or farthest from the trunk or the point of origin of a part

Unilateral

on one side

Bilateral

on both sides

Superficial

near the outer surface of the body
- skin is superficial to the muscle layer

Intermediate

between two other structures
- the naval is intermediate to the left arm and the contralateral(right) leg

Deep

further away from the surface of the body
- the muscle layer is deep to the skin but superficial to the intestines

Body planes

based on four imaginary planes that pass through the body in anatomical position

Sagittal plane (Anteroposterior)

divides the body into right and left parts

Midsagittal/median

divides the body into two equal halves

Frontal/coronal plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

Medial (Internal) Rotation

Anterior surface moves toward midline

Lateral (External) Rotation

Anterior surface moves away from midline

Protraction(Abduction)

Moving forward on plane parallel to ground “punch”

Retraction(Adduction)

Moving backward on plane parallel to ground “start lawn mower”