A&P: Scientific Method, Metrics, Language of Anatomy

The Scientific Method

Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Analysis, Conclusion

Theory

Hypothesis validated many different times.

Biological Principle

Theory that is verified and used widely.

Celsius to Fahrenheit

(9/5)(°C) + 32

Fahrenheit to Celsius

(5/9)(°F - 32)

Anatomical Position

The universally accepted standard position with arms down and the palms facing forward.

Cephalic

Head

Frontal

Forehead

Orbital

Eye

Nasal

Nose

Buccal

Cheek

Oral

Mouth

Mental

Chin

Cervical

Neck

Thoracic

Chest

Sternal

Center of Chest

Axillary

Armpit

Mammary

Nipple

Abdominal

Trunk below ribs

Umbilical

Belly Button

Pelvic

Pelvis

Inguinal

Groin

Acromial

Shoulder

Brachial

Upper arm

Antecubital

Front of elbow

Olecranal

Elbow

Antebranchial

Forearm

Carpal

Wrist

Manus

Hand

Palmar

Palm

Pollex

Thumb

Digital

Fingers/toes

Pubic

Genital

Coxal

Hip

Femoral

Thigh

Patellar

Knee

Popliteal

Back of knee

Crural

Shin

Sural

Calf

Fibular/peroneal

Side of leg

Pedal

Foot

Tarsal

Rear/midfoot

Calcaneal

Heel

Plantar

Sole of foot

Hallux

Big toe

Otic

Ear

Occipital

Lower back/base of skull

Dorsum/dorsal

Back

Scapular

Shoulder blades

Vertebral

Backbone/spinal cord

Lumbar

Lower back

Sacral

Tail bone

Gluteal

Buttcheeks

Perineal

Between anus and external genitalia

Superior (cephalad)

Towards the head

Inferior (caudal)

Towards the tail

Anterior (ventral)

Front

Posterior (dorsal)

Back

Medial

Towards the midline

Lateral

Away from the midline

Proximal

Nearer to the trunk

Distal

Away from the trunk

Superficial

Towards the body surface

Deep

Away from body surface

Median (midsagittal) plane

Divides structure into left and right parts

Frontal (coronial) plane

Divides structure into anterior and posterior parts

Transverse plane

Divides structure into superior and inferior parts

Quadrants (for abdomino-pelvic cavity)

Right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower

Umbilical region

Centermost region

Epigastric region

Superiior to umbilical region

Hypogastric region

Inferior to umbilical region

Iliac/inguinal region

Lateral to hypogastric region

Lumbar/lateral region

Lateral to umbilical region

Hypochondriac region

Lateral to epigastric region

Dorsal body cavity

Contains cranial cavity (brain) + vertebral/spinal cavity (spinal cord)

Ventral body cavity

Contains thoracic cavity + abdomino-pelvic cavity

Cranial cavity

Contains brain

Vertebral cavity

Contains spinal cord

Thoracic cavity

Contains heart + lungs

Abdominal cavity

Contains stomach, intestines, liver, other organs

Pelvic cavity

Contains reproductive organs, bladder, rectum

Synovial cavity

In a joint between neck vertebrae

Mucous membranes

Composed of epithelial cells that rest on a loose connective tissue layer called Lamina Propria; together known as “mucosa”

Serous membranes

Double membrane, produces serous fluid, minimize friction between organs

Parietal layer (serous membranes)

Adheres to the walls of cavity; known with visceral layer as “Serosa”

Visceral layer (serous membranes)

Adheres directly to an organ; known with parietal layer as “Serosa”

Pleura

Serosae associated with the lungs

Pericardium

Serosae associated with the heart

Peritoneum

Serosae associated with the abdominal viscera