Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
What is Anatomy?
Anatomy is a broad field in which the structure of the body and its parts and how they are relevant to each other is studied. Anatomy can be macroscopic ( visible structures) or microscopic ( invisible structures). Anatomy can be regional ( in which all structures of the body region are studied) or systemic ( in which all systems are studied).
What is Anatomical terminology?
Directional terms used to describe the positions of structures relative to other structures or locations in the body.
What are the three major anatomical terms used to define position of structures and locations in the body?
Body directions, Body cavities & planes
What is the anatomical position?
The positioning of the body when it is standing upright, legs together, feet flat on the floor, hands at the sides of the body and the arms facing forwards
What does the term midline mean?
An imaginary vertical line down the middle of the body
What does the term lateral mean?
Further away from the midline
What does the term medial mean?
Closest to the midline
What does the term proximal mean?
The direction TOWARD the attachment of a limb to the trunk
What does the distal mean?
The region FURTHER away from the trunk
What does the term caudal mean?
An area NEAR the umbilical region
What does the term cranial mean?
An area NEAR the region of the head
What does the term inferior mean?
A region towards the feet
What does the term superior mean?
A region toward the head
What does the term anterior mean?
Close to the belly
What does the term posterior mean?
Toward the back