Anatomical Positions

Anatomy

Airway
The passage by which air reaches a person´s lungs.
Link to Pronunciation ehr·way

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Ankle
The joint that connects the foot with the leg.
Link to Pronunciation ang·kl

Anus
The opening where the gastrointestinal tract ends and exits the body.
Link to Pronunciation ay·nuhs

Arms
Each of the two upper limbs of the human body from the shoulder to the hand.
Link to Pronunciation Arms aarmz

Appendix
A small, thin pouch connected to the large intestine. Its function is unknown, but its
removal is not harmful.
Link to Pronunciation uh·pen·duhks

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Auricle
An ear shaped pouch in each atrium of the heart. Also, another word for atrium of
the heart.
Link to Pronunciation aw·ruh·kl

Bladder
A muscular sac in the pelvis that stores urine.
Link to Pronunciation bla·dr

Blood
The red liquid that circulates in the arties and beings of vertebrate animals which
carries oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Link to Pronunciation bluhd

Bone
A hard structure that forms the skeleton of a body.
Link to Pronunciation bown

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Brain
An organ of soft nervous tissue that functions as the coordinating center of sensation
and intellectual and nervous activity. Stored in the skull of vertebrates.
Link to Pronunciation brayn

Bronchi
The large air passages that lead from the trachea to the lungs.
Link to Pronunciation braang·kai

Calf
The muscle at the back of the leg, below the knee.
Link to Pronunciation kaf

Cardiovascular system
A type of organ system made up of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
Link to Pronunciation kaar·dee·ow·va·skyuh·lr si·stm

Cheek

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The fleshy area on either side of the face below the eye.
Link to Pronunciation cheek

Chest
The front surface of a person´s or animal´s body between the neck and stomach.
Link to Pronunciation chest

Chin
The protruding part of the face below the mouth
Link to Pronunciation chin

Circulatory system
The system of the body that pumps blood to and from the heart.
Link to Pronunciation sur·kyuh·luh·taw·ree si·stm

Columella
The skin at the end of the septum which separates the nostrils.
Link to Pronunciation kaa·luh·ehluh
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Diaphragm
The large, dome-shaped muscle that contracts during respiration.
Link to Pronunciation dai·uh·fram

Digestive system
The system meant to breakdown food into small components to be absorbed by the
body (digestion).
Link to Pronunciation Digestive dai·jeh·stuhv
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Dimple
A small depression in the flesh of the cheeks.
Link to Pronunciation dim·pl

Ear
The organ that enables hearing and balance.
Link to Pronunciation eer

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Earlobe
The soft, rounded fleshy part hanging from the lower margin of the ear.
Link to Pronunciation eer·lowb

Elbow
The joint between the forearm and the upper arm.
Link to Pronunciation el·bow

Endocrine system
A complex network of glands and organs that serves as a messenger system in the
body.
Link to Pronunciation Endocrine en·duh·kruhn
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Epiglottis
A thin plate of flexible cartilage that covers the trachea during swallowing so food
does not enter the lungs.

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Link to Pronunciation eh·puh·glaa·tuhs

Excretory system
The system meant to remove wastes from the body.
Link to Pronunciation Excretory ek·skruh·taw·ree
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Eye
The organ of the visual system which provides organisms with vision.
Link to Pronunciation Eye ai

Eyebrow
The strip of hair that grows on the ridge above a person’s eye socket.
Link to Pronunciation ai·brau

Eyelashes
The short curved hairs that grow on the edges of the eyelids to protect the eyes from
dust.

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Link to Pronunciation ai·la·shuhz

Eyelid
The upper and lower folds of skin which cover the eye when closed.
Link to Pronunciation ai·lid

Face
The front part of a person´s head from the forehead to the chin.
Link to Pronunciation fays

Finger
Each of the five slender jointed parts attached to the hands.
Link to Pronunciation fing·gr

Fingernail
A claw-like plate at the tip of the fingers.
Link to Pronunciation fing·gr·nayl

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Fist
A shape of the hand when the fingers are bent inward against the palm and held
there tightly.
Link to Pronunciation fist

Foot
The part of vertebrate anatomy which serves the purpose of supporting the animal´s
weight and allowing for locomotion on land.
Link to Pronunciation fut

Forearm
The part of a person´s arm extending from the elbow to the wrist or fingertips.
Link to Pronunciation for·aarm

Forehead
The portion of the head above the eyes and slightly above the hairline.
Link to Pronunciation for·hed

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Freckle
A small patch or spot of light brown color on the skin, often becoming more
pronounced through sun exposure.
Link to Pronunciation freh·kl

Funny bone
The funny bone refers to the ulnar never that exists in the inside part of the elbow.
Link to Pronunciation fuh·nee bown

Gallbladder
A small, pouch-like organ in the upper right part of the abdomen that stores bile.
Link to Pronunciation gaal·bla·dr

Hand
The end part of a person´s arm, including the palm, fingers, and thumb.
Link to Pronunciation hand

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Hair
Any of the fine threadlike strands growing from the skin of humans, mammals, and
some other animals.
Link to Pronunciation hehr

Head
The part of an organism which usually include the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks,
chin, eyes, nose, and mouth.
Link to Pronunciation hed

Heart
A hallow muscular organ that expands and contracts to move blood through the
circulatory system.
Link to Pronunciation haart

Heel
The back part of the human foot below the ankle.
Link to Pronunciation heel

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Hip
The joint between the thighbone and the pelvis.
Link to Pronunciation hip

Hormone glands
Refers to endocrine glands, which are ductless glands that secrete hormones directly
into the blood.
Link to Pronunciation Hormone hor·mown
Link to Pronunciation Glands glandz

Hypothalamus
A small region of the brain that coordinates the autonomic nervous system and the
activity of the pituitary. It is usually considerate to be responsible for maintaining
homeostasis in the body.
Link to Pronunciation hai·puh·tha·luh·muhs

Iris
The colored tissue at the front of the eye that contains the pupil in the center.
Link to Pronunciation ai·ruhs
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Integumentary system
The set of organs that forms the external covering of the body and protects it from
threats.
Link to Pronunciation Integumentary in·teg·u·men·ta·ree
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Intestines/Small intestine
A long tube-like organ that connects the stomach and the large intestine.
Link to Pronunciation in·teh·stnz
Link to Pronunciation smaal uhn·teh·stn

Joint
The part of the body where two or more bones meet to allow movement.
Link to Pronunciation joynt

Kidneys

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A pair of organs in the abdominal cavity of mammals, birds, and reptiles, that
excrete urine.
Link to Pronunciation kid·neez

Knee
The joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans.
Link to Pronunciation need

Knuckles
A part of a finger at a joint where the bone is near the surface, especially where the
finger joins the hand.
Link to Pronunciation nuh·klz

Large intestine
The long, tube-like organ that is connected to the small intestine at one end and the
anus at the other.
Link to Pronunciation laarj uhn·teh·stn

Larynx
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The hollow muscular organ forming an air passage to the lungs and holding the
vocal cords.
Link to Pronunciation leh·ringks

Legs
The two lower limbs of the body. They provide support and a range of movements.
Link to Pronunciation legz

Ligament

Limbs
Any of the jointed appendages on the body.
Link to Pronunciation limz

Lips
Soft, pliable structures that form the mouth.
Link to Pronunciation lips

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Liver
A large organ located in the upper abdomen responsible for cleansing blood and
secreting bile.
Link to Pronunciation li·vr

Lungs
The pair of organs in the chest that supply the body with oxygen, and remove
carbon dioxide from the body.
Link to Pronunciation luhngz

Mouth/Oral cavity

The natural opening through which food and air enter the body.
Link to Pronunciation Mouth mowth
Link to Pronunciation Oral Cavity aw·ruhl ka·vuh·tee

Muscle

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A band or bundle of fibrous that has the ability to contract, producing movement in
or maintaining the position of parts of the body.
Link to Pronunciation muh·sl

Muscular System
A type of organ system made up of muscles that enables movement, posture, and
blood circulation in the body.
Link to Pronunciation muh·skyuh·lr
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Musculoskeletal system
The system that provides the body with form, stability, and movement. It is made up
of muscles and bones.
Link to Pronunciation Musculoskeletal muh·skyuh·low·skeh·luh·tl
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Nasal cavity
The large, air-filled space above and behind the nose in the middle of the face.
Link to Pronunciation nay·zuhl ka·vuh·tee

Neck
The part of the body that connects the head to the torso.
Link to Pronunciation nek

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Nerves
Cables composed of fibers that carry electrical impulses between the brain and other
areas of the body.
Link to Pronunciation nurvz

Nervous System
A type of organ system made up of nerves that transports messages for movement
and feeling in the body.
Link to Pronunciation nur·vuhs
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Nose
The structure between the eyes that serves as the entrance to the respiratory tract and
contains the olfactory organ.
Link to Pronunciation nowz

Nostril
Either of the two external openings in the nose that enable air to enter and exit.
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Link to Pronunciation naa·struhl

Oesophagus
A hollow, muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.
Link to Pronunciation uh·saa·fuh·guhs

Organ System
Link to Pronunciation or·gn
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm
A set of organs that operate together to perfirn a specific function.

Ovaries
One of a pair of female glands in which the eggs form and the female hormones
estrogen and progesterone are made.
Link to Pronunciation ow·vr·eez

Palm

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The inner and somewhat concave part of the hand between the bases of the fingers
and the wrist.
Link to Pronunciation paam

Pancreas
The large gland behind the stomach which secretes digestive enzymes into the
duodenum.
Link to Pronunciation pang·kree·uhs

Penis
The male genital carrying the duct for the transfer of sperm and typically also used
for urination.
Link to Pronunciation pee·nuhs

Pharynx
The membrane-lined cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting them to the
oesophagus.
Link to Pronunciation feh·ruhngks

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Pimple/Spot/Zit
A small pustule or papule, and look like bumps on the skin, that result from excess
sebum and skin cells get trapped in the pores of the skin.
Link to Pronunciation Pimple pim·pl
Link to Pronunciation Spot spat
Link to Pronunciation Zit zit

Pinna
The part of the ear that can be seen from the side of the head, used to gather sounds
and funnel them into the ear canal.
Link to Pronunciation pi·nuh

Pituitary gland
A small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, it is in charge of making
hormones.
Link to Pronunciation puh·too·uh·teh·ree gland

Pleural cavity

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A fluid filled space that surrounds the lungs to help with lung function.
Link to Pronunciation plur·uhl ka·vuh·tee

Pupil
The black circle in the centre of the iris of the eye, it admits and regulates the flow
of light to the retina.
Link to Pronunciation pyoo·pl

Rash
An area of irritated or swollen skin.
Link to Pronunciation rash

Reproductive system
The tissues, glands, and organs involved in producing offspring. In women, the
reproductive system includes the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix,
and the vagina. In men, it includes the prostate, the testes, and the penis.
Link to Pronunciation Reproductive ree·pruh·duhk·tuhv
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

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Respiratory system
The system of organs and tissues that enables breathing.
Link to Pronunciation reh·spr·uh·taw·ree
Link to Pronunciation System si·stm

Shine
To direct a light somewhere to see something in the dark.
Link to Pronunciation shine

Shoulder
A joint that connects the arm to the torse.
Link to Pronunciation showl·dr

Skeleton
The entire collection of bones in a body arranged in a specific alignment.
Link to Pronunciation skeh·luh·tn

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Skin
Link to Pronunciation skin
The layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate
animal

Soft palate
The muscular part at the back of the roof of the mouth which plays an important role
in swallowing, breathing, and speech.
Link to Pronunciation saaft pa·luht

Stomach
A J-shaped organ in the upper abdomen that digests foods.
Link to Pronunciation stuh·muhk

Teeth
Hard, mineral-rich structures located in the mouth which are used to chew food.
Link to Pronunciation teeth

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Tendons
Fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
Link to Pronunciation ten·dnz

Testicles
The two oval organs that produce sperm, enclosed in the scrotum behind the penis.
Link to Pronunciation teh·stuh·klz

Thymus
A small organ that lies in the upper chest under the breastbone and makes white
blood cells.
Link to Pronunciation thai·muhs

Tip
The pointed or rounded end or extremity of something
Link to Pronunciation tip

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Toes
The five digits at the end of the human foot.
Link to Pronunciation towz

Tongue
The fleshy muscular organ in the mouth, used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and
articulating speech.
Link to Pronunciation tuhng

Trachea/Windpipe
A large membranous tube, extending from the larynx to the bronchial tubes and
conveying air to and from the lungs
Link to Pronunciation tray·kee·uh

Ureter
The ducts by which urine passes from the kidney to the bladder or cloaca.
Link to Pronunciation yur·uh·tr

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Urethra
The tube that allows urine to pass out of the body.
Link to Pronunciation yr·ee·thruh

Urinary bladder
A hollow organ that acts as a temporary storage reservoir for urine.
Link to Pronunciation

Vagina
The muscular tube leading from the external genitals to the cervix of the uterus in
women.
Link to Pronunciation vuh·jai·nuh

Vessels
The channels or conduits through which blood is distributed to body tissues.
Link to Pronunciation veh·slz

Waist

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The part of the abdomen between the rib cage and hips.
Link to Pronunciation wayst

Wart
A small, hard, benign growth on the skin, caused by a virus.
Link to Pronunciation wort

Wrinkle
A slight line or fold in the skin.
Link to Pronunciation ring·kl

Wrist
The joints or region of joints that connect(s) the hand to the forearm and allow(s) for
movement.
Link to Pronunciation rist

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Examples in Context!

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