Anatomical Terms Flashcards
Anatomical Position
The starting position for all muscle actions:
The body is standing upright with arms at the sides and the palms of the hand facing forward (supplanted).
All muscle actions are given from this point
Arms “akimbo” Position
Normal standing position with arms by side and palms facing thighs; flex elbow; forearm moves in the frontal plane
Planes and Axes
All movements take place parallel to a plane.
All movements take place around an axis.
Sagittal Plane
Any plane parallel to the median plane. Movements in the sagittal plane rotate around the frontal axis.
Transverse (Horizontal) Plane
Divides the body into superior (anterior) and inferior (posterior) sections. Movements in the transverse plane rotate around the vertical axis.
Frontal Plane
Divides the body into front and back. Movements in the frontal plane rotate around the sagittal axis.
Median (Mid-sagittal) Plane
A sagittal plane passing through the body from anterior to posterior, dividing the body into two equal halves.
Anterior (or ventral)
Towards the front of the body
Posterior (or dorsal)
Toward the back of the body
Medial
Closer to the median plane than some other point
Lateral
away from the median plane relative to some other point
Superior (or cranial)
towards the head or closer to the head than some other point
Inferior (or caudal)
towards the tail, or farther from the head than some other point
Central
In the center of the body.
Peripheral
Towards the surface of the body
Distal
Distant form a point of reference
Proximal
Near to a point of reference
Cardio
refers to the heart
Cephalo
refers to the head
Chondro
refers to cartilage
Encephalon
refers to the brain
Gastro
refers to the stomach
Hepato
refers to the liver
Myo
refers to the muscle
Neuro
refers to nerves
Osseo
refers to bone
Pneumo
refers to lungs
Reno
refers to kidneys
Uro
refers to the urinary system
Vaso
refers to vessels
Antibrachial
forearm
Axilla
armpit
Brachial
shoulder to elbow
Calcaneal
heel
Carpal
wrist
Cervical
Neck
Cubital
Elbow
Femoral
thigh
Hallux
Great toe
Lumbar
Small of the back
Metacarpal
Hand