Language of Anatomy

Question 1

Anatomical Position

Answer 1

positioning of the body when it is standing upright and facing forward with each arm hanging on either side of the body and the palms facing forward

Question 2

Directional Terms

Answer 2

describe the position of structures relative to other structures or locations in the body e.g. superior or cranial - toward the head end of the body: upper

Question 3

Regional Terms Definition

Answer 3

describe anatomy by dividing the parts of the body into different regions that contain structures that are involved in similar functions

Question 4

Regional Terms 2 Fundamental Divisions

Answer 4

• Axial division= skull, vertebra including the sacrum, ribs and sternum
• Appendicular division = upper and lower limb bones and pectoral and pelvic girdles

Question 5

Body Planes and Axes

Answer 5

hypothetical geometric planes used to divide the body into sections and axes e.g. Coronal (frontal plane), Sagittal (longitudinal plane) and transverse (axial plane)

Question 6

Planes of Reference

Answer 6

Plane= is a flat surface along which body or structure is cut for anatomical study

1. Sagittal = divides the body into right and left Midsagittal
2. Frontal/coronal = divides the body into anterior and posterior
3. Transverse/horizontal/axial = divides the body into upper and lower

Question 7

Directional Terms

Answer 7

• superior
• inferior
• anterior
• posterior
• medial
• lateral
• proximal
• distal
• superficial
• deep
• ipsilateral
• contralateral
• ventral
• distal
• dorsal

Question 8

Directional Term Meanings

Answer 8

• Superior = closer to the top
• Inferior = closer to the bottom
• Anterior = closer to the front
• Posterior = closer to the back
• Medial = closer to the midline
• Lateral = away from midline
• Proximal = closer to the trunk
• Distal = away from the trunk
• Superficial = closer to the skin surface
• Deep = away from the skin surface
• Ipsilateral = on the same side
• Contralateral = on the opposite side
• Ventral = nearer the underside
• Distal = farther from the origin of a body part
• Dorsal = pertaining to the back

Question 9

Relational Terms

Answer 9

sub= under
supra= above
infra= below
retro= behind

examples= sub-scapular, supraspinatus, infraspinatus

inter= situated between
intra= situated within

examples= intertubercular groove

epi= on, upon
peri= around
endo= inward, within

examples= epimysium, perimysium, edomysium