Understanding Anatomy and Physiology

Monday, September 26, 2022
11:04 AM

APPENDICULAR
Appendicular means pertaining to the upper or lower limbs of the body. The prefix append- means "to hang
something." This prefix is used here because limbs are attached to the trunk of the body at one point, "hanging"
from the body.
 
 
 
 

AXIAL
Axial means pertaining to the head, neck, and trunk of the body. The prefix ax- means "axis." An axis is
an imaginary line passing through the center of an object, like a central line running down the middle of
the body. This is why the central area, the head, neck, and trunk, is the axial region.

 
Homeostasis is one of the major themes in anatomy and physiology. It is the body's maintenance of a
stable internal environment.
 
Maintaining homeostasis is so important to the body that it uses up most of the body's metabolic energy.
Metabolism, involves all of the physiological events and chemical reactions that obtain, release, and use
energy.
 

ANATOMICAL POSITION
 
The body is straight in the standing position, eyes looking straight ahead. The arms are hanging close by
the sides of the body, palms facing forward. The legs are fully extended with feet facing
forward. Anatomical position is important because the relations of all body structures are described in this
position unless otherwise stated.

SUPINE POSITION
 
The body is lying down on its back with face pointing upwards. All the remaining positions are similar to
anatomical position with the only difference of being in a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane.

PRONE POSITION
 
The body is lying in a horizontal plane face-down with the back directed upwards.
 

Sagittal plane: 
 A lengthwise cut that divides the body into right and left portions. If a sagittal section divides the body
into two equal parts, it is called a median or mid-sagittal.
 

Transverse plane:  A horizontal cut that divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom)
portions.
 
Frontal plane: A vertical cut at a right angle to a median plane, separating the body or organ
into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. It is also known as coronal plane.

Anterior
Towards the front. For example, the eyes are anterior to the brain.

Posterior
Towards the back. For example, the buttocks are sometimes called the posterior because they are towards the
back of your body!

 
Superior
Towards the head, above another part. For example, the head is superior to the neck.

 
Inferior
Towards the feet, below another part. For example, the feet are inferior to the legs.

Medial
Towards the sagittal plane, closer to the midline of the body. For example, the nose is medial to the eyes.

 
Lateral
Away from the median plane, farther from the midline of the body. For example, the ears are lateral to the
eyes.

 
 

Bilateral
Refers to a pair of structures, one on each side. For example, the lungs are bilateral.

 
 x
A body cavity is any hollow space in the human body that contains organs.