1. Unit 1: Intro to Anatomy Chapter 1.2
Anatomical Terms
Unit 1: Intro to Anatomy
Chapter 1.2

2. Anatomic variation Not everyone is exactly the same
Different races, hair color, eye color, sex, height, body type etc.
People have different anatomy!
What is “normal” or “average”?
Male: 22 years old, 70 Kg (154 Lbs)
Female: 22 years old, 58 Kg (128 Lbs)

3. Directional Terms

4. Directional Terms
Used to describe the “location” or “direction” of one organ compared to another
More “scientific” way of saying that your heart is “above your stomach, and in front of your lungs”

5. Anatomical position
Standing straight up, feet flat on the ground, arms at your side, and palms facing forward
- It is from this position that the rest of the anatomical terms will be derived

6. Directional Terms Superior: “above” something else
“Your brain is superior to your heart”
Inferior: “below” something else
“your kidneys are inferior to your lungs”

7. Anterior (Ventral): towards your front
Your nose is anterior to your ears.
Posterior/Dorsal: towards your back
Your ears are posterior to your nose.

8. Let’s Review
The nails are ______ (dorsal or ventral) in the anatomical position.
ANSWER: Dorsal - recall that the anatomical position calls for your palms to face forward…your nails would face your back
The sternum is ____ (superior or inferior) to your mouth.
ANSWER: Inferior

9. Proximal: closer to the trunk or attachment point
The elbow is proximal to the shoulder.
The knee is proximal to the hip.
Distal: Farther from the trunk or attachment point
The wrist is distal to the shoulder.
The ankle is distal to the hip.

10. Central – toward the brain or spinal cord
The spinal cord is central to the limbs
Peripheral – away from the brain or spinal cord (toward the limbs)
The arms are peripheral to the spinal cord

11. Superficial: Close to the body surface (when looking from the inside towards the skin)
“You can see superficial bruises because they’re on the surface”
Deep: Closer to the inside of the body (farther from the surface of the body)
“Bones are deep to the muscle”

12. Medial - Towards the middle
“Your heart is medial to your lungs”
“Your nose is medial to your ears”
Lateral: Away from the middle (towards a side)
“Your arms are lateral to your heart”
“Your ears are lateral to your nose”

13. Supine = Body laying face up
“when you are laying on your back you are supine”
Prone = Body laying face down
“when you are laying on stomach you are prone”

14. Planes of the Body

15. Planes of the Body Imaginary flat surface passing through the body
Planes are often used in directions for dissections or as reference in figures

16. Sagittal (Median) Plane
Divides into left and right portions
Midsaggital plane - passes through the midline of the body
Parasaggital plane – a cut that does not pass through the midline

17. Frontal (Coronal) Plane
Divides body into anterior and posterior sections

18. Transverse (Horizontal) Plane
Divides the body into superior and inferior portions
Divides the body horizontally

19. Regions of the Body

20. Axial Region – Cephalic (Head)
ANTERIOR
Cephalic - head
Frontal – forehead
Orbital – eye
Buccal – cheek
Mental – chin
Facial – on your face
POSTERIOR
Occipital

21. Axial Region – Cervical (Neck)
Cervical: front of your neck
Nuchal: back of your neck

22. Axial Region – Torso or Thoracic
ANTERIOR
Celiac - abdomen
Mammary – breast
Sternal - area in the center of your chest, the sternum
Pectoral - area around your breast
Costal - ribs
Inguinal – groin
Genital – reproductive organs
Coxal - hip
Celiac (abdomen)
Mammary (breast)
Costal (rib)

23. Axial Region – Torso or Thoracic
POSTERIOR
Dorsum: the back
Vertebral: area of your spine (on your back)
Interscapular: area between both of your shoulder blades (on your back)
Lumbar: lower back
Sacral: between hips
Perineal: between the anus and the pubic arch
Interscapular (between shoulder blades)

24. Appendicular Region – Upper Limb
Antebrachium (forearm)
Axillary (armpit)
Digital (fingers)
Acromial - point of shoulder
Brachial - arm
Antecubital – front of elbow
Cubital - elbow
Antebrachium - forearm
Palmer - palm
Axillary - Armpit
Digital - fingers

25. Appendicular Region – Lower Limb
Gluteal – buttocks
Femoral – thigh
Popliteal – back of knee
Patellar – knee
Cural – leg
Plantar – sole of foot
Pedal – foot

26. Body Cavities

27. Anterior Cavity Posterior Cavity
Body Cavities
Anterior Cavity
thoracic cavity & abdominopelvic cavity
diaphragm (a muscle) separates the two cavities
Posterior Cavity
cranial cavity & vertebral cavity

28. Posterior (Dorsal) Body Cavity
Cranial Cavity
Skull encloses the brain
Vertebral Cavity
Vertebrae enclose the spinal cord

29. Anterior (Ventral) Body Cavity
Thoracic Cavity
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Pleural Cavity – lungs
Pericardial Cavity – heart
Mediastinum – thymus, vessels from heart
Abdominal Cavity – digestive organs, kidneys
Pelvic Cavity – bladder, rectum, reproductive organs

30. Cranial
Thoracic
Posterior
Diaphragm
Vertebral
Abdominal
Pelvic