Anatomy Terminology

Question 1

The anatomical position

Answer 1

• When describing anatomy, we need a universal system that everyone understands, so that things make sense when talking about our patients.
  
  • When you hear terms like medial, lateral, superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, etc, they are all made in reference to this position.
  • So the head and shoulders are facing forwards
  • The forearms are supinated with hands facing forwards
    Pelvis, hips, knees, and ankles are all in neutral and facing forwards.

Question 2

Planes of motion

Answer 2

• The planes of motion are used to separate the body into different parts, or halves, according to our anatomy.
  The 3 main anatomical planes discussed are the sagittal plane, the coronal or frontal plane, and the axial or transverse plane.

Question 3

Sagittal plane

Answer 3

divides the body into left and right.

Question 4

Coronal plane

Answer 4

divides the body into anterior and posterior.

Question 5

Axial or transverse plane

Answer 5

divides the body into superior and inferior

Question 6

Anterior vs Posterior

Answer 6

• Anterior generally describes the “front” of a structure.

Posterior generally describes the “back” of a structure.

Question 7

Medial vs Lateral

Answer 7

• Medial generally describes a position closer to the midline of the body.
  Lateral generally describes a position further away from the midline of the body.

Question 8

Superior vs Inferior

Answer 8

• Superior generally describes the “top” of a structure, or a higher part of it.
  Inferior generally describes the “bottom” of a structure, or a lower part of it.

Question 9

Deep vs Superficial

Answer 9

• Superficial generally describes a structure which is closer to the skin.
  
  • Deep describes a structure which is further away from the skin.

Question 10

Proximal vs Distal

Answer 10

• Proximal describes a position which is closer to a structures origin, but more commonly referred to as a position closer to the trunk.
  Distal describes a position which is further away from a structures origin, but more commonly referred to as a position further away from the trunk.

Question 11

Muscle Origins and Insertions

Answer 11

• Muscle origin is the attachment to the part of the muscle which is fixed when a movement takes place.
  The muscles insertion is the attachment to the part of the muscle which is moving when a movement takes place.

Question 12

Foot - Dorsum vs Plantar

Answer 12

• Dorsum of the foot describes the top or superior surface of the foot.
  Plantar surface of the foot describes the sole or inferior surface of the foot.

Question 13

Caudad vs Cephalad

Answer 13

• Cephalad direction is a direction moving towards the head.
  Caudad direction is a direction moving towards the feet.

Question 14

Hand: Dorsal vs Palmar (Volar)

Answer 14

• The dorsum of the hand describes the back or posterior side of the hand.
  The palmar or volar surface of the hand describes the palm or anterior side of the foot.