LAB 1a

A. Anatomical Position

The anatomical position (AP) is the standard frame of reference when referring to the human

body. Unless otherwise stated, all anatomical descriptions in A&P will be in reference to the

anatomical position. The AP is when the human body is upright (standing), facing forward, arms

and legs straight, palms facing forward, feet flat on the ground, and eyes open.

 - define and understand the importance of the anatomical position in humans

  • Body is upright, facing forward, arms and legs straight, palms facing forward, feet flat on the ground, and eyes open

  • It is vital to have proper orientation when dealing with patients- consistency

B. Directional Terms

Directional terms are used to describe the location of one structure of the human body relative

to another, and unless otherwise stated, are always with respect to the anatomical position.

- using the models in the lab, define and understand the use of the following directional terms


 - anterior – toward the front

Ex. 

 - posterior – toward the back

Ex. 

 - superior – above

 - inferior – below

 - medial – toward the midline

 - lateral – away from the midline

 - ipsilateral – same side of the body

 - contralateral – opposite side of the body

 - superficial – toward the surface

 - deep – away from the surface

 - proximal – closer to the point of origin

  • Need a point of origin defined

 - distal – further from the point of origin

  • Need a point of origin defined

  • If there is a point of origin defined- use proximal and distal 


C. Planes of Sections

Anatomical sections are used to describe how the human body has been divided (or cut) in an

image, model, or dissection. Understanding the type of section that you are viewing is important

when learning anatomy. There are three main types of sections used in anatomy.


- using the models in the lab, locate, define, and understand the use of the following terms

 1. sagittal section – dividing into left and right

 - midsagittal section - dividing into equal left and right halves

 - parasagittal section - dividing into unequal left and right halves


 2. frontal section – dividing into anterior and posterior

  • Front and back


 3. transverse section – dividing into superior and inferior

  • Top and bottom


D. Body Cavities and Membranes

The human body is composed of several major body cavities, which enclose certain regions of

the body and house specific organs (or organ systems). Each of these major cavities is lined with a membrane, which acts to protect and lubricate the organs (or organ systems) within the cavity.

- using the models in the lab, locate and identify the following cavities and their membranes


 a. cranial cavity – contains the brain, lined by meninges

 b. vertebral cavity (canal) – contains spinal cord, lined by meninges

 c. thoracic cavity – cavity that is superior to the diaphragm

- pleural cavities – contains the lungs, lined by pleural membrane

 - pericardial cavity – contains heart, lined by pericardium

 d. abdominopelvic cavity – large cavity inferior to the diaphragm

 – contains organs of abdominal and pelvic cavity

 - abdominal cavity – contains digestive organs, lined by peritoneum

 - pelvic cavity – contains urinary bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs, lined by peritoneum


G. Regions of the Body

The major regions of the human body have both common and anatomical names. For example,

the word shoulder is a common name, whereas the word acromial is an anatomical name. In

most cases, we will use anatomical names when referring to regions of the human body.

- using the models in the lab, locate and identify the anatomical names for all of the body regions

 listed in Fig. 2.7.

Body Cavities

Lateral view:

  • Acromial- shoulder

  • Thoracic- chest

    • Pectoral- pecs

    • Sternal- sternum

  • Axillary- armpit

  • Brachial- arm

  • Abdominal- abdomen

  • Umbilical- belly button

  • Antebrachial- forearm

  • Carpal- wrist

  • Hand

  • Coxal- hip

  • Inguinal- groin

  • Pubic

  • Femoral- thigh

  • Patellar- knee

  • Crural- leg

  • Tarsal- ankle

  • Foot-pedal 

  • Digital- toe

Anterior view: 

  • Cranial- head

  • Nuchal- back of neck

  • Acromial- shoulder

  • Scapular-

  • Vertebral- spine

  • Axillary- armpit

  • Brachial- arm

  • Cubital- elbow

  • Lumbar- lower back

  • Antebrachial- forearm

  • Sacral- below lumbar

  • Coxal- hip

  • Gluteal- buttock

  • Dorsum of hand- back of hand

  • Femoral- thigh

  • Popliteal- back of knee

  • Crural- leg

  • Calcaneal- heel


Elbow: cubital (inside) olecranon (outside) 


Abdominal Regions

The abdominopelvic cavity is often divided into nine different regions, each of which contain

specific organs (or portions of organs).



Small intestine

Descending colon


  • Right hypochondriac

    • liver

  • Epigastric

    • liver

  • Left hypochondriac

    • Left kidney

  • Right lumbar

    • Small intestine

  • Umbilical

    • Small intestine

  • Left lumbar

    • Left kidney

    • Descending colon

  • Right iliac

    • cecum

  • Hypogastric

    • Urinary bladder

  • Left iliac

    • Descending colon

Hypochondriac: Hypo- below, chondriac- ribs:  below cartilage of ribs

Epigastric: Epi- next to or above, gastric- stomach: above or next to stomach

 - locate and identify each of the nine abdominal regions listed in Fig. 2.8.

 - identify the main urinary and digestive organs/portions of organs in each region using Figs.

 36.1 and 38.1.