1. Medical Terminology
Anatomy and Positions

2. Definitions Anatomy – physical structures of the body
Physiology – how the body structures work and the functions of the body structures.

3. Human body structure Chemicals – atoms and molecules
2. Cells – are the building blocks of the body
3. Tissues
4. Organs
5. Body systems

4. Types of cells Blood cells – e.g. white blood cells called leucocyte
Muscle cells
Nerve cells
Bone cells

5. Medical terminology re cells
Cyt/o = combining form for cell
cyte = suffix for cell
Path/o = combining form meaning disease
Path/o/logy means …….

6. Cytology Cyt / o / logy root word combining suffix cell form study of
Cytology means study of cells
Pg 9,10

7. Tissues
Connective tissue – connects body structures to other tissues e.g. fat tissue, bone tissue
Epithelial tissues – forms the skin and lines body organs for protection e.g. stomach
Muscle tissue – responsible for movement
Nerve tissue –relays info from one body part to another
Hist/o =combining form of tissue
pg10

8. Organs Composed of two or more different types of tissues
Organs perform special functions
e.g. stomach - responsible for breaking
down food
lungs – responsible for breathing
heart – responsible for circulating blood
to body parts

9. Systems
Are groups of organs working together to perform a particular function
Digestive system
Skeletal system
Muscular system
Nervous system
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Urinary system
Reproductive system
Integumentary system (skin)

10. Positional Terms pg13 Term Meaning Example Anterior (ventral)
more to the front than another structure
describes the front part/surface
sternum is anterior to the heart
umbilicus is on anterior surface of body
Posterior
(dorsal)
more to the back
describes the back surface of the body
spinal column is posterior to the abdomen
heel is in posterior section of foot
Central
close to the middle
heart is in the central part of thoracic cavity (chest)
Medial
towards the middle of the body/away from the side
umbilicus is medial to the hips
Lateral
towards the side of the body / away from the middle
hips are lateral to the umbilicus
peripheral
away from the centre point
limbs are peripheral to the body

11. Positional Terms Term Meaning Example Superficial
at, or close to the surface of the body
Superficial blood vessels are close to the surface
Distal
Further away form the point of attachment, midline) or nearer to an extremity
Fingers are distal to the midline of the body
Proximal
closer to the point of attachment /or midline of the body
Shoulder is proximal to the body midline
Inferior
Lower in the body than another structure or surface; away from the head
ankle is inferior to the knee
Superior
Above another area of body or towards the head
Head is superior to the trunk
Internal
inside the body or an organ
Cochlea is an internal part of the ear
External
Outside the body or organ
Ear lobe is an external part of ear

12. Movement Terms Term Meaning Abduct move away from Adduct move towards
Afferent
conducting away
Efferent
conducting towards
Extension
increases the angle
flexion
decreases the angle
Hyperextension
over extension
lateral rotation
to turn to the side
Pronation
palm down
supination
palm up

13. Movement Terms Flexion – angle of joint is decreased
Extension – angle of joint is increased
Hyperextension – further increase in angle of joint
Abduction – moves away from midline of body
Adduction – moves towards midline of body

14. Body Planes Midsaggital plane – divides left and right
Transverse plane – divides upper (superior) and lower (inferior)
Coronal plane – divides front (anterior) and back (posterior)
Pg 14

15. Directional Terms Root word Meaning anter,anteri before.front
poster,posteri
back,behind
cephal
head up,upward
caud (kawd)
tail,down
dextr
right
sinitr
left
proxim
near
dist
away
superi
above
inferi
below
medi
middle
later
side
vetr
belly
dors
back

16. Body Cavities 1.Dorsal cavity – back of body Consists of:
a) cranial cavity (holds brain)
b) spinal cavity (holds spinal cord)
2. Ventral cavity – front of body
a) thoracic cavity – heart, lungs
b) abdominal cavity – digestive organs, kidneys
c) pelvic cavity – reproductive and bladder
Pg 16

17. Abdominal Quadrants Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
pg16