Anatomy Flashcards
ANATOMY
Scientific study of body structures and the relationships between them.
REGIONAL: Interrelationships of all the structures in a specific body region, such as the abdomen.
SYSTEMIC: Study of the structures that make up a discrete body system. That is, a group of structures that work together to perform a unique body function.
PHYSIOLOGY
Scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system.
ANATOMICAL TERMS
Give precise meaning allowing us to communicate clearly and precisely among those who study and use anatomical terms.
Directional terms are used to locate body structures by describing the position of one part of the body in relation to another.
SUPERIOR (cranial)
Towards the head.
INFERIOR (caudal)
Towards the bottom.
ANTERIOR (ventral)
Towards the front.
POSTERIOR (dorsal)
Towards the back.
MEDIAL
Towards the midline of the body.
LATERAL
Towards the side of the body.
INTERNAL (deep)
Away from the surface of the body.
EXTERNAL (superficial)
Towards the surface of the body.
PROXIMAL
Towards the main mass of the body.
DISTAL
Away from the main mass of the body.
VISCERAL
Related to internal organs.
PARIETAL
Related to body walls.
ANATOMIC POSITION
Feet together, arms at the sides, face looking forward, mouth closed, neutral facial expression, palms of the hands looking forward with fingers straight together and the pad of the base of the thumb rotated 90 degrees with respect to the remaining fingers.
PLANES OF THE BODY
Hypothetical plane used to transect the body, in order to describe the location of structures or the direction of movements.
SAGITTAL (lateral) plane
It divides the body into left and right.
FLEXION: Forward movement.
EXTENSION: Backward movement.
Exceptions:
Shoulder joint: ANTEPULSION when moving forward and RETROPULSION when moving backwards.
Ankle joint: DORSIFLEXION when the movement is forward and PLANTARFLEXION when it is reversed.
CORONAL (frontal) plane
Vertical plane running from side to side, divides the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior portions.
ABDUCTION: Movement away from the midline.
ADDUCTION: Movement towards the midline.
Exception: Trunk. Lateral tilt when moving away from the midline.
AXIAL (transverse) plane
Horizontal plane, divides the body into upper and lower parts.
EXTERNAL ROTATION: Movements that are made outwards.
INTERNAL ROTATION: Movements that are made inwards.
Exceptions:
Trunk: Rotations to the right or to the left. LATERAL ROTATION.
Forearm: Rotation of PRONATION for internal rotation and SUPINATION for external rotation.