Chapter 1

Anatomical Terminology

Anatomical Position

• The human body is standing erect with the face forward and with the upper limbs at the side with the palms forward

Relative Position

• Terms that are used to describe the location of one body part with respect to another body part

Relative Position

• Superior– The part is above the other part (closer to the

head)

Relative Position

• Inferior– The part is below the other part (closer to the

feet)

Relative Position

• Anterior (or ventral)– The part is toward the front

Relative Position

• Posterior (or dorsal)– The part is towards the back

Relative Position

• Medial– The part is closer to the mid-line of the body than

the other part

Relative Position

• Lateral– The part is closer to the sides (away from the

midline) than the other part

• Ipsilateral– The parts are on the same side

• Contralateral– The parts are on the opposite sides

Relative Position

• Proximal– The part is closer to the trunk of the body or

closer to a specified point of reference than the other part

Relative Position

• Distal– The part is farther from the trunk or point of

reference than the other part

Relative Position

• Superficial (or peripheral)– The part is near the surface

Relative Position

• Deep– The part is more internal

Body Sections

• Sections of body “cut” along various planes

Body Sections

• Sagittal– Cut lengthwise so as to divide the body into right

and left portions

– Median (midsagittal)• Cut passes along the midline and divides the body into

equal parts

– Parasaggital• Cut passes lateral to the midline

Body Sections

• Transverse (or horizontal)– Cut divides the body into superior and inferior

portions

Body Sections

• Coronal– Cut divides the body into anterior and posterior

sections

Body Sections• If a cylindrical organ is sectioned…

• Cross section– Cut across the structure

• Oblique section– Cut is angular

• Longitudinal section– Cut is lengthwise

Body Regions• Terms for division of the abdominal area:– Epigastric region

• Upper middle portion– Left and right hypochondriac regions

• On the left and right side of the epigastric region– Umbilical region

• Central portion– Hypogastric region

• Lower middle portion– Left and right iliac (or inguinal) regions

• On the left and right side of the hypogastric region

Body Regions

• Terms for division of the abdominal area:– Right upper quadrant– Right lower quadrant– Left upper quadrant– Left lower quadrant

Body Regions

• Common Terms:– Abdominal• Region between the thorax and pelvis

– Acromial • Point of the shoulder

– Antebrachial• Forearm

– Antecubital• Space in front of the elbow

– Axillary• Armpit

Body Regions

• Common Terms:– Brachial• Arm

– Buccal• Cheek

– Carpal• Wrist

– Celiac• Abdomen

– Cephalic• head

Body Regions

• Common Terms– Cervical• Neck

– Costal• Ribs

– Coxal• Hip

– Crural• Leg

– Cubital• Elbow

Body Regions• Common Terms– Digital

• Finger or toe– Dorsum

• Back– Femoral

• Thigh– Frontal

• Forehead– Genital

• Reproductive organs– Gluteal

• buttocks

Body Regions

• Common Terms:– Inguinal

• Depressed area of the abdominal wall near the thigh (groin)

– Lumbar• Region of the lower back between the ribs and the pelvis

– Mammary• Breast

– Mental• Chin

– Nasal• nose

Body Regions

• Common Terms:– Occipital• Lower posterior region of the head

– Oral• Mouth

– Orbital• Eye cavity

– Otic• Ear

Body Regions• Common Terms:– Palmar

• Palm of the hand– Patellar

• Front of the knee– Pectoral

• Chest– Pedal

• Foot– Pelvic

• Pelvis– Perineal

• Region between the anus and the external reproductive organs (perineum)

Body Regions

• Common Terms– Plantar• Sole of the foot

– Popliteal• Area behind the knee

– Sacral• Posterior region between the hipbones

– Sternal• Middle of the thorax, anteriorly

– Sural • Calf

Body Regions

• Common Terms– Tarsal• Instep of the foot

– Umbilical• Navel

– Vertebral• Spinal column