Introduction to Basic Anatomic

Concepts
Podiatry General Anatomy

Helen E. Pearson, Ph.D. & Arthur Washburn, Ph.D.

 Anatomic Planes

Anatomic
Position
 Terms of Relationship (used when describing
relationships/position of 2 or more structures to one another)
• Medial – lateral
• Superior – inferior
• Anterior – posterior
(ventral – dorsal)
• Superficial – deep
• Proximal – distal

Terms of Laterality (often used when

describing movement on one or both sides of the body)

• Unilateral – bilateral
• Ipsilateral - contralateral
 Flexion – Terms of Movement (often
extension thought of as motion pairs)
Also:
• Pronation – supination (forearm)
• Elevation – depression (scapula)
• Protraction – retraction (scapula)

Abduction – Medial rotation • Protrusion – retrusion

adduction – lateral rotation (jaw, tongue)
• Opposition –
reposition (thumb,
little finger)
• Lateral bending,
rotation (trunk)
 Skin, Fascia, Bursae
• Skin and superficial (subcutaneous) fascia
• Deep fascia:
– Investing fascia
– Intermuscular septa
– Retinacula
• Bursae:
– Serous membrane sacs
Skeletal System

• Bones and Cartilage

• Joints (articulations)
– Movements permitted
– Muscles crossing joint
• Associated ligaments
– Movements resisted
– Forces producing damage
 Skeletal Muscular System
• Origin (general) and insertion (specific)
• Innervation (the nerve that initiates movement)
• Joints crossed & movements produced
• Agonists (prime movers), antagonists,
synergists
• Types of contraction:
– Shortening (concentric)
– Isometric (static)
– Lengthening (eccentric)
 Blood Vessels & Lymphatics
• Arteries
– Arterial anastomoses (pl.) or communications
that make collateral circulation possible
• Veins
– Superficial
– Deep
• Lymph
– Nodes
– Vessels
Nervous System
Central Nervous System:
• Brain & Spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System:

• Cranial nerves (I – XII)
• Spinal nerves (C1 – Co1)

Cranial and Spinal Nerves:

• Afferent & efferent fibers
• Somatic & visceral fibers

Spinal Nerves:
• Dorsal & ventral roots
• Dorsal & ventral rami
 Sensory vs. Motor
Neurons
• Morphology – position of cell
body relative to axon and
terminals
• Location of cell body in CNS
(motor neuron) or in a
peripheral ganglion (sensory
neuron)
 Diagnostic Imaging

Plain X-ray CT
Cross Sectional Anatomy

Anatomic section with correlated CT

The End