Anatomy the Basics Vocab

Anatomical Position

The normal position of the human body when active

Anatomy

Study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts

Anterior (ventral)

Situated near or toward the head or part most nearly corresponding to a head or front of the body. In front of

Body Cavity

Any space or compartment inside the body that houses, protects, and separates internal organs.

Body Plane

Imaginary flat surfaces that serve to divide the human body to help map, describe, and location internal structures and movements.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal

Distal

Farther from the origin in of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Dorsal (Posterior) Body Cavity

A continuous internal space in the back side of the human body that houses and protects the central nervous system. (Cranial = brain, Spinal = spinal cord)

Frontal (Coronal) section

Divides the body (or organ) into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Inferior (Caudal)

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

Lateral

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

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Mid-Sagittal section

Divides the body (or organ) into equal left and right parts

Physiology

Study of how the body and its part work or function

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward or at the backside of the body; behind

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part or point of attachment to a limb to the body trunk

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface

Superior (Cranial)

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

Transverse section

Divides the body (or organ) into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts

Ventral (Anterior) Body Cavity

Large space located on the anterior (front) side of the human body that houses internal organs (Thoracic = heart & lungs, Abdominopelvic = digestive and most urinary systems)