Anatomy and Physiology

Agenda
• What is Anatomy and Physiology?
• What is the anatomical position?
 Anatomy
SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE __________
OF THE BODY
 Anatomy
SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE
STRUCTURES OF THE BODY
 Physiology
SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE _________
OF THE BODY
 Physiology
SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE
FUNCTIONS OF THE BODY
Structure determines Function
Anatomical Terms
 The Language of Anatomy
● Special terminology is used to prevent misunderstanding
● Exact terms are used for:
○ Position
○ Direction (arms and legs)
○ Regions (abdomen especially)
○ Structures
Anatomical Position
 Make an outline of a human!
• In groups of 3-5, trace the outline of a human body in the
anatomical position on a long sheet of butcher paper
• From A to Z, label the location of 26 internal OR external
body parts (anatomy) on the butcher paper
• For example: A=Arm, B=Belly Button
Anatomical Directions

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

 Anatomical Directions
● Body structures are described in relation to each other
● The ceiling is above

● The door knob is on the side

 Anatomical Directions
● Body structures are described in relation to each other
● *Think of the following terms in pairs*
Anatomical Directions
● Superior
● A point towards the head
● Inferior
● A point towards the feet

*Refers to structures in head, neck,

and torso regions
 The heart is ________ to the liver

Anterior Superior

Posterior Inferior
 The liver is ________ to the lungs.

Anterior Posterior

Superior Inferior
 Anatomical Directions
● Proximal
○ Closer to the trunk or
point of origin
● Distal
○ Farther from the trunk or
point of origin

***Refers to points along the limbs (arms and legs)

The knee joint is _______ to the ankle joint.

Proximal Superior

Distal Inferior
 Anatomical Directions
● Anterior (Ventral)
● A point towards the front
● Posterior (Dorsal)
● A point towards the back

• *Ventral and Dorsal are terms that are:

• Synonymous with Anterior and Posterior but are
• Used more often with other animals
 The toes are ______ to the heel

Anterior Superior

Posterior Inferior
 The clavicle is ________ to the hips

Anterior Superior

Posterior Inferior
Anatomical Directions
● Medial
○ Towards the midline of
the body
● Lateral
○ Farther away from the
midline of the body
 The pinky finger is ______ to the thumb.

Anterior Medial

Posterior Lateral
Anatomical Directions

● Superficial
● Towards the surface of
the body
● Deep
● Towards the interior of
the body
 The heart is _______ to the rib cage.

Proximal Superficial

Distal Deep
 Summary of Anatomical Directions
• Anterior and Posterior

• Superior and Inferior

• Medial and Lateral

• Superficial and Deep

• Proximal and Distal

Anatomical Planes
 Anatomical Planes
• Imaginary 2-D surfaces used mainly to view “slices” of the
human body
Anatomical Planes
Sagittal Plane

• Divides the body or organ

vertically into a left and right
side
Frontal/Coronal Plane

• Divides the body or

organ vertically into an
anterior and posterior
section
 Transverse Plane
• Divides the body or
organ horizontally into
upper and lower
sections
Anatomical Planes
 CT Scan of the Chest

CT Scans of the Abdomen