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