Introduction To Anatomy Flashcards
What is the anatomical position ?
• provides a reference point
• standing upright
• arms by side
• feet together and parallel
• palms forward
What are the anatomical planes ?
- median plane
- Sagittal planes
- coronal/frontal plane
- transverse/axial plane
What is the median plane ?
It divides the body equally into left and right
What is a sagittal plane ?
Sagittal planes lie vertically and parallel
What is the coronal/frontal plane ?
Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections
What is the transverse plane ?
Runs horizontally and divides the body into superior and inferior sections
Define superior
Above
Define inferior
Below
Define anterior
In front
Define posterior
Behind
Define medial
Closer to the midline
Define lateral
Away from the midline
Define superficial
Towards the surface
Define deep
Away from the surface
Define proximal
Closer to where the limb inserts into body
Define distal
Further away from where the limb inserts into the body
Define cranial
Superior/above
Define Caudal
Inferior/below
Define dorsal
Backside/posterior
Define ventral
Frontside/anterior
Define adduction
Towards the median plane
Define abduction
Away from the median plane
Define compact bone
Dense
Define cancellous/ trabeculae bone
Spongy
What are the different bone shapes ?
- long
- short
- flat
- irregular
What are the features that bones can have ?
- extensions or projections
- depressions
- cavities or passages
How are muscles named ?
In relation to their :
- shape
- attachment site
- position
- function
Give an example of a muscle named after its shape
The deltoid muscle (triangular shape)
Give an example of a muscle named after the site it is attached to
Hyoglossus ( attached to the hyoid bone )
Give an example of a muscle named after its position in the body
The subscapularis (deep to the scapula)
Give 3 examples of muscles named after their function
• the masseter
• the levator labii superioris (lifts lips)
• the depressor anguli oris (pulls down corners of mouth)
What is part of the central nervous system ?
The brain and spinal cord
What is the role of the CNS ?
It communicates with the peripheral nervous system to carry out higher functions such as learning and thinking
What is the peripheral nervous system ?
It consists of spinal nerves, cranial nerves and ganglia
What is the role of the peripheral nervous system ?
- conducts impulses to and away from the CNS
- connects the CNS to peripheral structures
What are the cranial nerves ?
The cranial nerves come off the brain and control the head and neck. They come in 12 pairs.
What are the spinal nerves ?
They come off the vertebral column and control the rest of the body
How is the peripheral nervous system organised ?
It can be divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
What is the role of the somatic nervous system ?
It controls voluntary muscles e.g skeletal muscle and the skin and transmits sensory Information to CNS
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system ?
It controls involuntary body functions for example smooth muscle and glands
What are the 2 branches of the autonomic nervous system ?
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
Summarise the sympathetic nervous system
• fight or flight
• thoracolumbar outflow
• has short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibres
Summarise the parasympathetic nervous system
• Rest and digest
• craniosacral flow
• has long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibres
What is fascia ?
Fascia is a layer of tissue between the muscle and fat which decreases the spread of infection
What are the 2 layers of fascia and where are they found ?
Superficial fascia is found towards the surface whereas deep fascia is found away from the surface
What do arteries do ?
They carry blood away from the heart
What do veins do ?
They carry blood towards the heart
What is the role of lymphatic vessels ?
They carry extracellular fluid, lymphocytes and cellular debris towards the heart
What does bifurcate mean ?
split into 2
What does anastomose mean ?
come together
What are some properties of veins ?
They have valves to prevent the backflow of blood
They have tributaries
Define flexion
Moving a joint so that the angle between the bones decreases
Define extension
Straightening a joint so the angle between the bones increases
Define supination
When the radius rotates laterally so the radius and ulna are parallel to one another - the palms face superiorly
Define pronation
Rotation of the radius medially so the distal end crosses over the anterior aspect of the ulna resulting in the palm of the hand facing posteriorly
Define depression
Lowering / moving downwards
Define elevation
Heighten / lift upwards
How can joints be classified ?
- fibrous
- cartilaginous
- synovial
What type of movement does a fibrous joint have ?
no movement
What type of movement does a cartilaginous joint have ?
some movement
What type of movement does a synovial joint have ?
a lot of movement
Give an example of a fibrous joints
sutures (skull)
Give an example of a cartilaginous joint
intervertebral disk
Give an example of a synovial joint
knee joint
What are the features that can be found at a synovial joint ?
- synovial cavity
- joint capsule
- articular cartilage
- synovial membrane
Why is deep fascia important ?
The layers it forms may direct infection through specific paths
Where are tendons found ?
They are located at the end of the muscle and attach muscles to bones
What is the role of the muscle belly ?
It contains contractile muscle fibres that generate force
Why is it important to understand fascial tissue ?
- when giving injections
- during surgery
- diagnosing spread of infection
What do compartments (created by deep fascia) contain ?
They contain muscles, nerves and blood vessels
What are the properties of arteries ?
They have elastic walls so appear thick and turgid
What are the properties of veins ?
They have thin and distensible walls
What does a neurovascular bundle contain ?
Artery, vein and nerve
What is varicose veins ?
When venous blood pools in superficial veins so the veins widen (dilate) and coil (tortuosity)
What is the role of afferent/somatosensory neurones ?
They convey nerve impulses towards the CNS
What is the role of efferent/somatomotor neurones ?
Carry nerve impulses away from the CNS to effector organs
What are the 3 meningeal layers of the spinal cord ?
1) Dura mater - tough fibrous tissue (outermost layer)
2) Arachnoid mater - delicate (deep to the dura mater)
3) Pia mater - thin and transparent (deep to the arachnoid mater)
Define ipsilateral
On the same side
Define contralateral
On opposite sides
At which vertebral level does the spinal cord end ?
L1/L2
What is the name given to the slightly expanded lower end of the spinal cord ?
Lumbosacral enlargement
What is the cauda equina ?
Bundle of nerves at the end of the spinal cord
What is the brachial plexus ?
It is a network of nerves in the shoulder that carry movement and signals from the spinal cord to the arms and hands
Which nerve is responsible for skin sensation over the little finger ?
Ulnar nerve
What is the action of brachialis on the elbow joint ?
Flexion of the forearm
Which artery gives rise to the radial artery ?
Brachial artery
