Anatomical Terminology

• Anatomical terminology provides a standardized language for describing the structure, position, and relationships of body parts.
• Used by healthcare professionals to accurately describe and locate body structures.
• It ensures clarity and precision in communication among healthcare professionals and scientists.
• Ensures clear communication and reduces ambiguity in medical settings.
• Anatomical terms are based primarily on Greek and Latin roots.

Anatomical Position

• The anatomical position serves as the standard reference point for anatomical descriptions.
• The body is erect, with feet slightly apart, facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.
• All descriptions of the human body are made as if the body is in the anatomical position, regardless of the body's actual position during observation.
• Descriptions of the human body are made as if the body is in this position, regardless of the actual body position.

Directional Terms

• Directional terms describe the position of one body part relative to another.
• Directional terms describe the position of one structure relative to another.
• Superior (cranial): Toward the head or upper part of a structure; toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.
• Inferior (caudal): Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure; away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.
• Anterior (ventral): Toward the front of the body; toward or at the front of the body; in front of.
• Posterior (dorsal): Toward the back of the body; toward or at the back of the body; behind.
• Medial: Toward the midline of the body; toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.
• Lateral: Away from the midline of the body; away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.
• Intermediate: Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.
• Proximal: Closer to the origin or point of attachment of a limb or structure; closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
• Distal: Farther from the origin or point of attachment of a limb or structure; farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
• Superficial (external): Toward or at the body surface.
• Deep (internal): Away from the body surface and more internal.

Regional Terms

• Regional terms designate specific areas of the body.
• Regional terms are used to designate specific areas of the body.
• Axial region: Includes the head, neck, and trunk.
• Appendicular region: Includes the limbs (arms and legs).
• Specific regional terms include:
  • Cephalic: Head
  • Cervical: Neck
  • Thoracic: Chest
  • Abdominal: Abdomen
  • Pelvic: Pelvis
  • Brachial: Arm
  • Antebrachial: Forearm
  • Carpal: Wrist
  • Manual: Hand
  • Femoral: Thigh
  • Crural: Leg
  • Tarsal: Ankle
  • Pedal: Foot
  • Upper limb: Arm (brachium), forearm (antebrachium), wrist (carpus), hand (manus)
  • Lower limb: Thigh (femoral), leg (crus), ankle (tarsus), foot (pes)

Body Planes

• Body planes refer to imaginary flat surfaces that pass through the body.
• Body planes are imaginary flat surfaces that pass through the body.
• Sagittal plane: Divides the body into right and left parts.
  • Midsagittal (median) plane: Divides the body into equal right and left halves; Sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline.
  • Parasagittal plane: Divides the body into unequal right and left parts; Sagittal plane offset from the midline.
• Frontal (coronal) plane: Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.
• Transverse (horizontal) plane: Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.
• Oblique plane: It passes through the body at an angle between the transverse plane and either the sagittal or frontal plane.
• Oblique section: Cuts made diagonally between the horizontal and vertical planes.

Body Cavities

• Body cavities are spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs.
• Body cavities are spaces within the body that contain internal organs.
• Dorsal body cavity: Located near the posterior surface of the body; Protects the fragile nervous system.
  • Cranial cavity: Contains the brain; Encases the brain.
  • Vertebral (spinal) cavity: Contains the spinal cord; Encases the spinal cord.
• Ventral body cavity: Located near the anterior surface of the body; Houses the internal organs (viscera).
  • Thoracic cavity: Contains the heart and lungs.
    • Pleural cavity: Surrounds each lung; Each surrounds a lung.
    • Mediastinum: Central region of the thoracic cavity, containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus; Contains the pericardial cavity and other thoracic organs.
    • Pericardial cavity: Surrounds the heart; Encloses the heart.
  • Abdominopelvic cavity: Contains the abdominal and pelvic organs.
    • Abdominal cavity: Contains the stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs.
    • Pelvic cavity: Contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Serous Membranes

• Serous membranes are thin, double-layered membranes that cover the walls of the ventral body cavity and the outer surfaces of the organs within it.
• Membranes of the Ventral Body Cavity -
• Serous membranes: Thin, double-layered membranes that cover the walls and organs in the ventral body cavity.
• Parietal serosa: Lines the cavity walls; Lines the internal body cavity walls.
• Visceral serosa: Covers the organs (viscera); Covers the internal organs.
• Serous fluid: A lubricating fluid secreted by both layers of the serous membrane to reduce friction between organs and cavity walls; Separates the parietal and visceral serosa, reducing friction.
• Specific serous membranes include:
  • Pleura: Lines the pleural cavity and covers the lungs; Lines the pleural cavities and covers the lungs.
  • Pericardium: Lines the pericardial cavity and covers the heart; Lines the pericardial cavity and covers the heart.
  • Peritoneum: Lines the abdominopelvic cavity and covers the organs within it; Lines the abdominopelvic cavity and covers its organs.

Abdominopelvic Regions and Quadrants

• The abdominopelvic cavity is divided into smaller regions or quadrants for descriptive and diagnostic purposes.
• Clinicians often divide the abdominopelvic cavity into smaller areas for descriptive purposes.
• Quadrants:
  • Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
  • Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
  • Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
  • Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
  • The abdominopelvic area is divided into four quadrants by two perpendicular lines that intersect at the umbilicus.

Nine Regions

• Regions (nine):
  • Right hypochondriac region
  • Epigastric region
  • Left hypochondriac region
  • Right lumbar region
  • Umbilical region: Centermost region deep to and surrounding the umbilicus (navel).
  • Left lumbar region
  • Right inguinal (iliac) region: Located lateral to the hypogastric region.
  • Hypogastric (pubic) region: Located inferior to the umbilical region.
  • Left inguinal (iliac) region: Located lateral to the hypogastric region.
  • Right and left iliac (inguinal) regions: Located lateral to the hypogastric region.
  • Right and left lumbar regions: Located lateral to the umbilical region.
  • Right and left hypochondriac regions: Located lateral to the epigastric region.

Movements

• Flexion: Decreases the angle of a joint.
• Extension: Increases the angle of a joint.
• Abduction: Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
• Adduction: Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.
• Rotation: Turning a bone around its longitudinal axis.
• Circumduction: Moving a limb in a circular motion.
• Pronation: Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces posteriorly or inferiorly.
• Supination: Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces anteriorly or superiorly.
• Dorsiflexion: Lifting the foot so that its superior surface approaches the shin.
• Plantar flexion: Depressing the foot (pointing the toes).
• Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot medially.
• Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot laterally.
• Protraction: Moving a body part anteriorly.
• Retraction: Moving a body part posteriorly.
• Elevation: Lifting a body part superiorly.
• Depression: Moving a body part inferiorly.
• Opposition: Touching the thumb to the tips of the other fingers on the same hand.

Other Descriptive Terms

• Ipsilateral: On the same side of the body.
• Contralateral: On opposite sides of the body.
• Unilateral: Occurring on one side.
• Bilateral: Occurring on both sides.

Anatomical Variation

• Anatomical variation is not uncommon.
• Nerves or blood vessels may be somewhat out of place.
• Small muscles may vary in different individuals.
• The absence of certain organs, like the spleen, kidneys, or certain muscles has been documented.
• Awareness of anatomical variation is important in medicine.

Microscopic Anatomy

• Cytology: Study of cells.
• Histology: Study of tissues.

Developmental Anatomy

• Embryology: Study of development from fertilization to birth.

Surface Anatomy

• Study of internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin surface.

Learn about anatomical terminology, which provides a standardized language for describing the structure, position, and relationships of body parts. Anatomical terms are based primarily on Greek and Latin roots. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for anatomical descriptions.