Anatomical Direction Flashcards
When we think about standard anatomical position, what does that look like?
Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward with thumbs pointing away from body.
What do we mean by directional terms?
Directional terms describes one body structure in relation to another body structure and is based on standard anatomical position.
What does superior/cranial mean?
Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.
How to remember: Cranial relates to the bones of the head that cover the brain. Superior means higher.
What does inferior/caudal mean?
Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.
What does anterior/ventral mean?
Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.
What does posterior/dorsal mean?
Toward or at the back of the body; behind.
‘Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of’ is known as?
Medial
‘Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of’ is known as?
Lateral
‘Between a more medial and a more lateral structure’ is known as?
Intermediate
In this example, the elbow is _________ to the wrist.
Proximal - Near to the centre of the body or to the point of attachment of a bone or muscle.
In this example, the knee is ______ to the thigh.
Distal - Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
How to remember: ‘Distal’ starts with a ‘d’. Think ‘down’.
In this example, the skin is __________ to the skeletal muscles.
Superficial (external) - Toward or at the body surface.
In this example, the lungs are ______ to the skin.
Deep (internal) - Away from the body surface; more internal.
Regional terms refers to?
Particular structures in specific areas of the human body.
How to remember: Think of the word ‘regional’ and what it means like regional nsw.
How many primary regions does the human body have?
2:
Axial: Head, neck, and trunk (torso)
Appendicular: Limbs (legs and arms)
‘Surfaces along which body or structures may be cut for anatomical study’ is known as?
Body planes.
What are the 4 body planes?
1) Sagittal plane
2) Frontal (coronal) plane
3) Transverse (horizontal) plane
4) Oblique plane
Cuts or ________ made along a body plane. They are named after a plane.
Sections
Identify and describe what this plane is?
Sagittal plane.
– Divides body vertically into right and left parts
– Produces a sagittal section if cut along this plane
Identify and describe what this plane is?
Transverse (horizontal) plane.
– Divides body horizontally (90° to vertical plane)
into superior and inferior parts (top and bottom)
– Produces a cross section
Identify and describe what this plane is?
Frontal (coronal) plane.
– Divides body vertically into anterior and posterior
parts (front and back)
– Produces a frontal or coronal section
What is it called when a plane runs perfectly down the midline of the body?
Midsagittal (median) plane.
What is it called when a plane runs off-centered and not down the midline of the body?
Parasagittal plane.
What is an oblique plane?
Which statement is false regarding the standard anatomical position?
a. The palms face the front.
b. The thumbs point away from the body.
c. The head is turned to the left side.
d. The posture is standing erect.
c. The head is turned to the left side.
True or false: The nose is superior to the navel.
True
What’s another name for anterior:
a. Dorsal
b. Ventral
c. Cranial
d. Caudal
b. Ventral
The word anterior means:
a. At or toward the front of the body.
b. Away from the insertion point of a structure.
c. At the back or rear of the body.
d. Toward the middle of the body.
a. At or toward the front of the body.
True or false: The wrist is distal to the elbow.
True
What’s another word for “superior?”
a. Internal
b. Caudal
c. External
d. Cranial
d. Cranial
The heart is _______ to the shoulder.
a. Medial
b. Lateral
c. Distal
d. Proximal
a. Medial
The elbow is _________between the wrist and shoulder.
a. Medial
b. Intermediate
c. Distal
d. Lateral
b. Intermediate
What is the term for the backside in the anatomical position:
a. Anterior
b. Ventral
c. Caudal
d. Posterior
d. Posterior
The radius (forearm bone) is ________ to the humerus (upper arm bone).
a. Intermediate
b. Proximal
c. Distal
d. Anterior
c. Distal
