The Language of Anatomy

What do scientists use to describe position of certain anatomical structures? Visible Landmarks on the surface of the body can be specific in referring to different regions of the body.

Anterior Body Landmarks Anterior Body Landmarks describe frontal body regions of the body Abdominal- anterior body trunk below the ribs Acromial- point of the shoulder Antecubital- frontal part of elbow Axillary- armpit Brachial- arm

Posterior Body Landmarks Posterior Body Landmarks describe the back regions of the body. Calcaneal- heel of foot Cephalic- head Deltoid- curve of shoulder Femoral- thigh Gluteal- buttock

What do directional terms mean? Directional terms used by medical personnel and anatomists allow them to explain exactly where one body structure is in relation to another. Superior- toward the head end or upper part of a structure of the body Inferior- Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body. Below.

Body Planes and Sections When preparing to look at the internal structures of the body, one must make a cut or section through the body or organ along an imaginary line. Sagittal section Frontal (coronal) section Transverse section

Sagittal Plane Sagittal section is a cut made along the lengthwise or longitudinal plane of the body. Midsagittal or median sections describes cuts directly down the middle of the body or organ.

Frontal Plane Frontal Section is a cut made along a lengthwise plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior parts. Aka coronal section

Transverse Plane Transverse section is a cut made along a horizontal plane, dividing the body or organ into superior and inferior parts Aka Cross section

Body Cavities There are two main internal body cavities that provide degrees of protection to the organs within them. Dorsal body cavity Ventral Body Cavity

Dorsal Body Cavity Two subdivision Cranial Cavity Spinal Cavity Space inside the bony skull Protects the brain Spinal Cavity Extends from the cranial cavity to the end of the vertebral column. Protects the spinal chord

Ventral Body Cavity Three subdivisions Thoracic cavity Abdominal cavity Pelvic cavity

Abdominopelvic cavity