ANATOMY_3 Flashcards
Special terminology is used to prevent
misunderstanding
The Language of Anatomy
Position
*Direction
*Regions
*Structures
Exact terms are used for
Anterior body landmarks
(FRONT) ABOMEN/THORAX
POSTERIOR BODY LAND MARK
BACK DORSUM
toward the
head end or upper part of a structure or the
body; above
Superior (cranial or cephalad)
away from the head end or
toward the lower part of a structure or the
body; below
Inferior (caudal)
toward or at the front of
the body; in front of
*Ventral
toward or at the backside
of the body; behind
Dorsal (posterior)
toward or at the midline of the body;
on the inner side of
Medial
away from the midline of the body;
on the outer side of
Lateral
between a more medial and a
more lateral structure
*Intermediate
close to the origin of the body
part or point of attachment to a limb to the
body trunk
*Proximal
farther from the origin of a body part
or the point of attachment of a limb to the
body trunk
Distal
toward or at the body surface
Superficial
away from the body surface; more
internal
Deep
divides the body (or organ)
into left and right parts.
sagittal
section divides the
body (or organ) into equal left and right parts.
median, or midsagittal,
section divides the body
(or organ) into anterior and posterior parts.
frontal, or coronal
section divides the
body (or organ) into superior and inferior parts.
transverse
*Cranial cavity houses the brain
*Spinal cavity houses the spinal cord
Dorsal body cavity
*Thoracic cavity houses heart, lungs, and
others
*Abdominopelvic cavity houses digestive
system and most urinary system organs
Ventral body cavity
