General Anatomy (intro) Flashcards
What is general anatomy?
Anatomy is a broad field of science in which the body is studied at different levels.
What are the branches of Anatomy?
Gross anatomy
Microscopic (histology) anatomy
Developmental anatomy- Embryology
Pathological anatomy
Radiographic anatomy
What are the anatomical positions?
Standard reference position of the body used to describe location of a structure.
Refers to the body position as if the person were standing upright with the person standing erect with feet together and eyes forward
- Head, gaze and toes directed anteriorly (forward)
- Upper limbs by the side with palms facing anteriorly (supinated)
- Lower limbs close together with feet parallel.
What are the anatomical planes?
Fixed lines of reference along which the body is often divided or sectioned to facilitate viewing of its structures
Allow one to obtain a three-dimensional perspective by studying the body from different views
4 main planes of reference:
Median plane
Sagittal plane
Coronal (frontal) plane
Transverse plane
What are the median plane (mid-sagittal)?
- Vertical plane dividing the body into right and left portions
- Passes longitudinally.
- Divides the body into equal right and left halves
What are the sagittal planes (para-sagittal, para-median)?
- Vertical planes.
- Parallel to median plane.
- Parallel to the sternum
What is the frontal (coronal) plane?
- vertical plane dividing the body into front and back portions
- right angles to the median plane
What is transverse plane?
- the horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower portions
- right angles to median and frontal planes
What is a superior (cranial)?
Refers to a structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body.
What is an inferior (caudal)?
Refers to a structure being closer to the feet or lower than another structure in the body.
What is an anterior (ventral) structure?
Refers to the structure that is more in front
What is a posterior (dorsal)?
Refers to the structure being more in back
What is a medial structure?
Refers to the structure being closer to the midline of the body
What is a lateral structure?
Refers to a structure being farther away from the midline of the body.
What is the term distal?
Refers to the structure being further away from the root of the limb.
What is the term proximal?
Refers to a structure being closer to the root of the limb
What is the term superficial?
Refers to a structure being closer to the surface of the body. For example sternum compared to the heart.