Class 1 : Terms & Positions Flashcards
Define anatomy.
Anatomy is the study of the body’s internal and external structures and the physical relationship between them. It uses an international language.
Name the different divisions of anatomy (6).
- Gross anatomy
- Histology
- Embryology
- Surface anatomy
- Clinical (Applied) anatomy
- Radiological anatomy
What are the two ways to study gross (macroscopic) anatomy ?
- Regional anatomy : the study of all structures (blood vessels, nerves, muscles) located in a particular region of the body (e.g. upper limb, lower limb, neck…)
- Systemic anatomy : the study of the body structures as they present in individual systems (CV system , musculoskeletal system…)
Define Embryology & Surface anatomy.
- Study of dev. changes that occur before birth
- Study of internal organs as they relate to the overlying skin
Define Clinical Anatomy & Radiological Anatomy
- Emphasizes structures of functions that are relevant clinically by incorporating regional and systemic approches of gross anatomy (eg. Wrist drop)
- Study of body structures by using radiological images
Describe the anatomical position
It is the standard reference position of the body.
- Standing up feet together
- Eyes opened, fixing something in front
- Mouth closed, neutral expression
- Hands by the side of the body, palm facing front, fingers together and thumbs turned 90 degrees to pad of fingers
- Toes point forward
Describe body/anatomical planes
Sagittal : vertically cuts you into right and left sections
Median/midsagittal : passes in the center of body
Paramedian/parasagittal : parallel and near median plane, but cuts you in unequal right and left sections.
Coronal (frontal) : cuts you from front to back part
Horizontal : virtually divides you in top and bottom part
What are the different anatomical sections
- Longitudinal : runs lengthwise or parallel to long axis of the body or any of his parts regardless of the position of the body (Eg. Median, Sagittal and Coronal planes are the standard longitudinal sections).
- Transverse : slices of the body that are cut at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body or any of its parts) **foot
- Oblique : slices of the body that are not cut along the previously listed anatomical planes, instead are cut at slanted direction.
Note that :
Many radiographic images and anatomical sections do not lie precisely in sagittal, frontal or transverse planes ; often they are slightly oblique.
Define the following directional terms : superior and inferior
Superior (Cranial or Cephalic) : towards the head
- Cranial specifically relates to cranium
Inferior (Caudal) : away from the head or towards the lower part of a structure
- Caudal relates to feet or tail region
Define these directional terms : Anterior and Posterior
Anterior (Ventral) : towards the front of the body or in front of
Rostral is used when referring to anterior part of the brain
Posterior (Dorsal) : towards the back of the body or behind
What word is used when describing anterior parts of the brain
Rostral
Describe the following directional terms : Lateral, Medial, Proximal and Distal
Lateral : away from the median plane
Laterally means : moving away from the midline towards the side of the body
Medial : close to the median plane
Medially means : moving from the side of the body to the midline
Proximal : Closer to the origin of the body part or near the point of attachment of limb to body truck (depends on point of ref) - e.g. knee is proximal to feet
Distal : Away from the origin of the body part or away from the point of attachment of limb to the body trunk (e.g. knee is distal to hip
Define the following directional terms that relate to hand/feet : Dorsum, Sole and Palm
Dorsum : refers to the superior aspect of any part that protrudes anteriorly from the body (foot, tongue, penis, nose) as well as the hand
Sole: refers to the inferior aspect of the foot, opposite to dorsum
Palm : refers to the anterior aspect of the hand opposite to the dorsum
Describe the following directional terms :
Supine & Prone
Supine : lying horizontally w/ face and torso facing up
Prone : lying horizontally w/ the face and torso facing down