MC1 – Anatomy & Physiology PROXIMAL

PRELIM REVIEWER > close to point of attachment

Part Three DISTAL

Basic Anatomical Terminology > far from point of attachment

THE LANGUAGE OF ANATOMY SUPERFICIAL

> Special terminology is used to prevent misunderstanding. > structure close to the surface

> Exact terms are used for position, direction, regions, DEEP
structures.
> structure toward the interior of the body
Anatomical Position

> The subject stands erect facing the observer, with the head
level and the eyes facing directly forward.

> The lower limbs are parallel and the feet are flat on the floor.

> The upper limbs are at the sides with the palms turned
forward.

Note: Descriptions of any region or part of the human body

assume that it is in a standard position of reference called the
ANATOMICAL POSITION.

Description of a Reclining Body

1. Prone
2. Supine

Directional Terms

SUPERIOR

> above, also CRANIAL or cephalad

Regional Landmarks
INFERIOR
Body Regions
> below, also CAUDAL
EXTREMITIES
ANTERIOR
> Upper Limbs
> front, also VENTRAL
upper arm, forearm, wrist, hand
POSTERIOR
> Lower Limbs
> back, also DORSAL
thigh, lower leg, ankle, foot
Note: In four-legged animals, the terms ventral (belly) and
dorsal (back) correspond to anterior and posterior in humans. AXIAL OR CENTRAL REGION

> Head, Neck, Trunk

MEDIAL

> close to the midline

LATERAL

> AWAY from midline

INTERMEDIATE

> in between

IPSILATERAL

> on the same side of the body as another structure

CONTRALATERAL

> on the opposite side of the body from another structure

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 Anterior Body Landmarks > Digital – toes

Anterior – HEAD and NECK > Pedal - foot

> Frontal – forehead

> Orbital – eye area

> Nasal – nose

> Oral – mouth

> Otic – ear

> Buccal – cheek

> Mental – chin

> Cervical – neck

Anterior – TRUNK

> Clavicular – collarbone

> Thoracic – area between the neck and abdomen, supported

by the ribs, sternum, and costal cartilage; chest

> Pectoral – relating to, or occurring in or on, the chest

> Sternal – breastbone

> Mammary – breasts

> Abdomen – abdominal (umbilical – navel)

> Pelvis
Posterior Body Landmarks
a. pelvic (area overlying the pelvis)
b. inguinal (groin) Posterior – HEAD and NECK
c. pubic (genital region)
> Cranial – skull
Anterior – UPPER LIMB
> Occipital – base of skull
> Axillary – armpit
> Nuchal – back of neck
> Acromial – point of shoulder
Posterior – TRUNK
> Deltoid – curve of shoulder
> Dorsal – back
> Brachial – upper arm
a. scapular – shoulder blade
> Antecubital – front of elbow b. vertebral – spine
c. lumbar – loin
> Antebrachial – forearm
> Sacral – area between the hips at the base of the spine
> Carpal – wrist
> Gluteal – buttocks
> Palmar – palm
> Perineal – area between the anus and scrotum/vagina
> Digital – fingers
Posteriori – UPPER LIMB
> Manus – hands
> Acromial – point of shoulder
Anterior – LOWER LIMB
> Deltoid – curve of shoulder
> Coxal – hip
> Olecranal – posterior surface of elbow
> Femoral – thigh
Posterior – LOWER LIMB
> Patellar – knee
> Popliteal – hollow behind the knew
> Tibial/Crucal – anterior surface of leg
> Sural – calf
> Fibular – lateral surface of leg
> Tarsal – ankle
> Tarsal – ankle
> Calcaneal – heel
> Dorsum – top of foot

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> Plantar – sole of the foot

Body Planes

SAGITTAL PLANE

> separates the body into right and left parts

MEDIAN PLANE

> a sagittal plane along the midline that divides the body into
EQUAL left and right halves (midsagittal section)

TRANSVERSE PLANE

> a horizontal plane that separates the body into SUPERIOR

and INFERIOR parts (cross-section)

FRONTAL PLANE

> a vertical plane that separates the body into ANTERIOR and
POSTERIOR parts (coronal section)

Body Cavities

DORSAL BODY CAVITY

> Cranial cavity – houses the brain

> Spinal cavity – houses the spinal cord

VENTRAL BODY CAVITY

> Thoracic cavity – houses heart, lungs, and others

> Abdominopelvic cavity – houses digestive system and most

urinary system organs

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