The Language of Anatomy

Special terminology is used to prevent

misunderstanding
Exact terms are used for:
Position
Direction
Regions
Structures
Anatomical Terminology
Superior above
Inferior below
Anterior front
Posterior behind
Medial toward the middle
Lateral toward the side
Ipsilateral referring to two or more anatomical parts being on the same side
of the body
Contralateral referring to anatomical parts being on different sides of the
body.
Anatomical Terminology
Proximal describes a part that is closer
Distal describes a part that is farther away
Superficial situated near the surface
Peripheral situated outward or near the
surface
Deep more internal

Body Landmarks
Anterior
Body Landmarks
Posterior
Body Sections
Sagittal refers to a lengthwise cut that
divides the body into right and left portions.
Transverse (or horizontal) refers to a cut that
divides the body into superior and inferior
portions.
Coronal (or Medial) refers to a section that
divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions.
Body Planes
Body Cavities
Quadrants
Abdominal Regions
Epigastric the upper middles portion
Left and right hypochondriac on each side of
the epigastric
Left and right lumbar one each side of the
umbilical
Hypogastric the lower middles portion
Left and right iliac (inguinal) each side of the
hypogastric.
Thoracic and Abdominopelvic Membranes
Pleura/Pleural: membrane(s), watery film
separation
Parietal: any membrane attached to the wall of a
body cavity. Surrounds organs within the cavity
Visceral: membranes that covers internal organs

Pericardial membrane(s)
Visceral pericardium
Parietal pericardium
Peritoneal membrane
Pareital peritoneum
Visceral peritoneum
Body Cavities
Dorsal Cavity:
cranial cavity (brain) and spinal canal (spinal cord
& nerves)

Body Cavities
Ventral Cavity: divided by diaphragm
Upper thoracic cavity
Pleural cavities enclose lungs
Pericardial cavity surrounds heart
Cavities are lined by serous membranes
Lower abdominopelvic cavity
Viscera of abdominal: stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver,
gallbladder, small intestine, most of large
Viscera of pelvic: urinary bladder, portions of large intestine,
internal female and male reproductive structures
Medical and Applied Sciences
Cardiology study of the heart and vascular
system
Dermatology study of the skin
Endocrinology - study of hormones ,
hormone-secreting glands, and associated
diseases.
Epidemiology study of the factors that
contribute to determining the distribution and
frequency of health-related conditions.
Medical and Applied Sciences
Gastroenterology study of the stomach and
intestines
Geriatrics Branch of medicine dealing with
older individuals and their medical problems
Gynecology study of the female
reproductive system
Hematology study of blood and blood
deseases.
Medical and Applied Sciences
Histology study of the structure and function
of tissues (microscopic anatomy)
Immunology study of the bodys resistance
to disease
Neonatology study of newborns and the
treatment of their disorders
Nephrology study of the structure and
function of the kidneys
Medical and Applied Sciences
Neurology study of the brain and nervous
system
Obstetrics branch of medicine dealing with
pregnancy and childbirth
Oncology study of cancer
Ophthalmology study of the eye and eye
disease
Otolaryngology study of the ear, throat,
larynx, and their diseases
Medical and Applied Sciences
Pathology study of structural and functional
changes within the body associated with
disease
Pediatrics branch of medicine dealing with
children and their diseases
Pharmacology study of drugs and their uses
in the treatment of disease
Podiatry study of the care and treatment of
the feet
Medical and Applied Sciences
Psychiatry branch of medicine dealing with
the mind and its disorders
Radiology Study of X rays and radioactive
substances
Toxicology study of poisonous substances
and their effects on physiology
Urology branch of medicine dealing with the
urinary and male reproductive systems and
their diseases
Performance Objectives
Did we learn this?
Define Anatomy and Physiology.
Describe the relationship between
structure and function.
Define basic directional terms.
Describe the anatomical position.
Describe the major cavities of the body.
Describe the levels of organization of the
body and give major characteristics of each
level.

Performance Objectives
continued
List the organ systems.
Define homeostasis and explain why it is
important.
Describe the negative-feedback system and
the positive-feedback system and their
relationship to homeostasis.
Name and describe the three major planes
of the body or organ.