Introduction to Anatomy: Vocabulary Flashcards
Anatomical Position
Standing upright
Palms of hands facing forward
Feet together
Medial
Used to indicate that a structure is nearer to the median plane of the body
For example: the 5th digit of the hand (little finger) is medial to the other digits
Lateral
Lateral stipulates that a structure is father away from the median plane
Example: The 1st digit of the hand (thumb) is lateral to the other digits.
Name the 4 anatomical planes:
A:
B:
C:
D:
A: Median Plane (median sagittal plane): Verticle plane passing longitudinally through the center of the body, dividing it into left and right halves (middle of sagittal plane)
B: Frontal/Coronal Plane: Vertical plane passing through the body at a right angle to the medial plane, divides body into anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) halves
C: Horizontal/axial/transverse/cross-sectional plane: horizontal plane passing through th ebody at right angles to the medial and frontal planes, dividing the body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) halves
D: Sagittal Plane (longitudinal plane): Vertical plane passing through the body parallel to the median plane
Oblique Plane:
A plane that is any type of angle that is not a horizontal or vertical angle
Median Plane of the hand and foot
Hand: Verticle plane through the middle finger (use middle finger as midline)
Example: The index finger is more medial than the thumb when using the median plane of the hand.
Foot: Use 3rd toe as midline (with toes pointed anterior = forward)
Ecample: The 2nd and 3rd toes are more medial than the big and pinky toes.
Superior (cranial)
Superior (cranial): refers to a structure being closer to the top of the head than another structure (opposite inferior)
Inferior (caudal)
Inferior (caudal): refers to a structure being closer to the feet or the lower part of the body than another structure in the body (oppsite superior)
Medial
Medial: refers to a structure that is closer to the median plane than another (opposite lateral)
Ex: The pinky of hand is medial to other digits
Lateral
Lateral: refers to a structure that is father away from the median plane than another (opposite medial)
Example: The thumb is lateral to other digits.
Proximal
Proximal: with reference to the limbs, refers to a structure being closer to the median plane or root of the lumb than another (opposite = distal)
Distal
Distal: With reference to the limbs, refers to a structure being father from the median plane or the root of the limb than another (opposite proximal)
Posterior (dorsal)
Posterior (dorsal): Refers to a structure that is more in back than another (opposite anterior/ventral)
Anterior (ventral)
Anterior (ventral): Refers to a structure being more in front than another structure (opposite proximal/dorsal)
Rostral
Refers to a beak like structure in the front of the head or brain that projects forward (opposite caudal)