Explore the Language of Anatomy with Our Anatomical Position Quiz

Anatomical Position:

The anatomical position is a reference position used to describe all body parts.

• In the anatomical position, a person:
  • Stands upright (erect)
  • Looks forward
  • Stands with feet apart
  • Has arms at the sides
  • Has feet and palms facing forward
  • Has thumbs pointing away from the body
  • Has little fingers pointing toward the body
  • Uses body orientations and directional terms.

Body Orientations and Directional Terms:

Body orientations and directional terms are words used to describe the location of an anatomical structure by comparing its position to other structures within the body or within the body's orientation.

• Anterior (or ventral): Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body.
  • The eyes are anterior to the brain.
• Posterior (or dorsal): Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.
  • The buttocks are posterior to the abdomen.

Anterior vs Posterior:

• Superior (or cranial): Describes a position above or higher than another body part correctly towards the head or uppermost (top) part.

  • The head is superior to the neck.

• Inferior (or caudal): Describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper, near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx or lowest part of the spinal column).

  • The chest is inferior to the neck.

• Medial: Describes the middle or direction toward the center of the body. Any structure close to an imaginary "midline."

  • The nose is medial to the eyes.

• Lateral: Describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.

  • The ears are lateral to the eyes.

• Ipsilateral: Located on the same side of the body.

  • The right arm is ipsilateral to the right leg.

• Contralateral: Located on the opposite side.

  • The left arm is contralateral to the right leg.

• Proximal: Describes a position in a limb nearer to the point of attachment or the body's trunk.

  • The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

• Distal: Describes a position in a limb farther from the point of attachment or the body's trunk.

  • The foot is distal to the knee.

• Superficial: Describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

  • Skin is superficial to muscle.

• Deep: Describes a position farther from the surface of the body. Located internally within the body.

  • The brain is deep in the skull.

• Supine vs. Prone

Anatomical Regions:

The human body is divided into regions, an approach called regional anatomy.

• The axial part includes the head, neck, and trunk (thorax, abdomen, and pelvis).
• The appendicular part includes the upper and lower extremities (limbs) attached to the body's axis.

Major Body Planes:

Imaginary lines are drawn through the body at various parts to separate the body into sections.

• Three main planes:
  • Sagittal plane: Vertical plane dividing the body into right and left sides.
  • Frontal plane: Divides the body into anterior and posterior positions.
  • Transverse plane: Divides the body into superior and inferior positions.

Body Cavities:

Body cav