Anatomical terminology

Question 1

Describe the anatomical position and explain why it is used

Answer 1

Anatomical position is a reference point for the positions of the body structure. The anatomical position allows one to explain directional terms with less ambiguity.

Question 2

Describe the 3 anatomical planes and identify each in section views

Answer 2

1. Sagittal plane
   Passes vertically through the body or organ and divides into left and right portions.
   A Mid- sagittal plane dives the body into equal right or left parts.
2. Frontal plane (Coronal)
   A vertical plane that is perpendicular to the sagittal plane, dividing the body into anterior/ventral (front) and posterior/dorsal (back) regions.
3. Transverse plane
   A Horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior/ cranial (upper) and inferior/ caudal (lower) regions.

see images in anatomical planes file *

Question 3

List and describe with examples, anatomical directional terminology.

Answer 3

Directional terms are all relevant. they only make sense when used to describe the position of one structure with respect to another structure.
example - The nose is anterior tot he ears
example - the spine is posterior to the sternum
example - the nose is superior to the naval.

Directional terms listed in notebook - create deck for directional terms
intermediate directions are often given as combinations as terms e.g. dorsolateral

Question 4

List major terms used to describe body regions .

Answer 4

Body regions:

• Axial Region ( head, neck and trunk- above diaphragm)
• Appendicular region ( upper and lower limbs)

Abdominopelvic Quadrants:
method to divide the abdominic cavity and used to describe location of pain.
1. Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
2.Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
3.Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
4.Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Abdominopelvic Regions:
divides cavities into 9 regions, used less frequently, refer to notebook**

Question 5

List Major body cavities, their membranes and organs in each.

Answer 5

Major Body Cavities:

1. Cranial Cavity
   Viscera- Heart
   Membranous lining - Meninges
2. Vertebral Canal
   Viscera- Spinal Cord
   Membranous lining - Meninges
3. Thoracic Cavity
   a) Pleural Cavities (2)
   Viscera - Lungs
   Membranous Lining - Pleurae
   b) Pericardial cavity
   Viscera - Heart
   Membranous Lining - Pericardium
4. Abdominopelvic Cavity ( Abdominal and Pelvic).
   a) Abdominal Cavity
   Viscera - Digestive organs, spleen and kidney
   Membranous Lining - Peritoneum
   b) Pelvic cavity
   Viscera - Bladder, rectum, reproductive organs
   Membranous Liquid - Peritoneum

further details in notebook**