Anatomical Terms Flashcards
Anatomical position
- Human body is erect
- Feet are slightly apart
- Head and toes pointed forward
- Plans facing forward
Gross Anatomy
The study of body structure visible to the naked eye
Superior
Above: structures along the long axis of the body
Example: the nose is superior to the mouth
Inferior
Below: structures along the long axis of the body
Example: the abdomen is inferior to the chest
Anterior
Front: forward facing structures
Example: face, chest, abdomen
Posterior
Back: structure towards the backside of the body
Example: spine, gluteal
Medial
Towards the midline
Lateral
Away from the midline
Cephalad (cranial) or caudal
Towards the head
Example: the brain is causal to the cervical spine
Ventral or dorsal
Belly side or backside
Example: the heel of the food is o. The dorsal side of the body
Proximal
Nearer the trunk or attached end
Example: the knee is proximal to the toes
Distal
Farther away from the trunk or point of attachment
Example: the fingers are distal to the elbow
Superficial or external
Towards or at the body surface
Example: the skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles
Deep or internal
Away from the body surface
Example: the lungs are deep to the rib cage
