The Language of Anatomy
Visible Landmarks on the surface of the body can be specific in referring to different regions of the body.
What do scientists use to describe position of certain anatomical structures?
Anterior Body Landmarks describe frontal body regions of the body◦ Abdominal- anterior body trunk below the ribs◦ Acromial- point of the shoulder◦ Antecubital- frontal part of elbow◦ Axillary- armpit◦ Brachial- arm
Anterior Body Landmarks
Posterior Body Landmarks describe the back regions of the body.◦ Calcaneal- heel of foot◦ Cephalic- head◦ Deltoid- curve of shoulder◦ Femoral- thigh◦ Gluteal- buttock
Posterior Body Landmarks
Directional terms used by medical personnel and anatomists allow them to explain exactly where one body structure is in relation to another.◦ Superior- toward the head end or upper part of a
structure of the body◦ Inferior- Away from the head end or toward the
lower part of a structure or the body. Below.
What do directional terms mean?
When preparing to look at the internal structures of the body, one must make a cut or section through the body or organ along an imaginary line.◦ Sagittal section◦ Frontal (coronal) section◦ Transverse section
Body Planes and Sections
Sagittal section is a cut made along the lengthwise or longitudinal plane of the body.◦ Midsagittal or median sections describes cuts
directly down the middle of the body or organ.
Sagittal Plane
Frontal Section is a cut made along a lengthwise plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior parts.◦ Aka coronal section
Frontal Plane
Transverse section is a cut made along a horizontal plane, dividing the body or organ into superior and inferior parts◦ Aka Cross section
Transverse Plane
There are two main internal body cavities that provide degrees of protection to the organs within them.◦ Dorsal body cavity◦ Ventral Body Cavity
Body Cavities
Two subdivision ◦ Cranial Cavity
Space inside the bony skull Protects the brain
◦ Spinal Cavity Extends from the cranial cavity to the end of the vertebral column. Protects the spinal chord
Dorsal Body Cavity
Three subdivisions◦ Thoracic cavity◦ Abdominal cavity◦ Pelvic cavity
Ventral Body Cavity
Abdominopelvic cavity