The Language of Anatomy

Question 1

What is NAV terminology?

Answer 1

NAV = Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria = list of terms referring to gross structures.

Question 2

Describe the median plane.

Answer 2

Divides the specimen into equal left and right planes.

Question 3

Describe the paramedian plane.

Answer 3

Parallel to the median plane, into unequal left and right planes.

Question 4

Describe the transverse plane.

Answer 4

Perpendicular to the long axis of the specimen.

Question 5

Describe the dorsal plane.

Answer 5

Perpendicular to the median and transverse planes and parallel to the long axis of the body.

Question 6

What do superficial and deep refer to?

Answer 6

Indicate relative distances from the surface of the body.

Question 7

What do external and internal refer to?

Answer 7

Refer to relations of depth in organs and cavities.

Question 8

What do median and lateral refer to?

Answer 8

Give the position nearer to, or farther from, the midline of the body.

Question 9

if you can be arsed, do the prefixes and suffixes

Question 10

How are anatomical terms related to the anatomical position?

Answer 10

The human anatomical position means that the human heart is portrayed to have a superior and inferior vena cava. But, if replaced by animal anatomical position, there is no longer a superior and inferior vena cava. So, in animals, we use the terms cranial vena cava (nearer the head) and caudal vena cava (away from the head).

Question 11

What does dorsal mean, as a directional term above the carpus/tarsus?

Answer 11

Dorsal – dorsal = back. So anything towards the back is dorsal. Dorsum is dorsal to the belly.

Question 12

What does ventral mean, as a directional term above the carpus/tarsus?

Answer 12

Ventral – venter = belly. So anything towards the belly is ventral. Belly is ventral to the dorsum.

Question 13

What does cranial mean, as a directional term above the carpus/tarsus?

Answer 13

Cranial – cranium = head. So anything towards the head is cranial.

Question 14

What does caudal mean, as a directional term above the carpus/tarsus?

Answer 14

Caudal – caudal = tail. So anything towards the tail is caudal.

Question 15

What does dorsal mean, as a directional term below the carpus?

Answer 15

The equivalent of the back if the human hand.

Question 16

What does palmar mean, as a directional term below the carpus?

Answer 16

The equivalent of the palm of the human hand.

Question 17

What does dorsal mean, as a directional term below the tarsus?

Answer 17

The equivalent to the back of the human foot

Question 18

What does plantar mean, as a directional term below the tarsus?

Answer 18

The equivalent to the palm of the human of the human foot.

Question 19

What does rostral mean, as a directional term in the head?

Answer 19

Rostral – rostrum = muzzle. So anything directed towards the nose end is rostral.

Question 20

What does caudal mean, as a directional term in the head?

Answer 20

Caudal – caudal = tail. So anything away from the nose in the head is caudal.

Question 21

What does oral mean, as a directional term in the head?

Answer 21

Oral – oral = mouth. So anything towards the mouth is oral.

Question 22

What does aboral mean, as a directional term in the head?

Answer 22

Aboral – so anything away from the mouth is aboral.

Question 23

What does proximal mean, as a directional term for tube-like structures in the body?

Answer 23

Proximal – proximal = near. So anything directed towards the body is proximal.

Question 24

What does distal mean, as a directional term for tube-like structures in the body?

Answer 24

Distal – distal = far away. So anything directed away from the body is distal.

Question 25

What does median mean, as a directional term for tube-like structures in the body?

Answer 25

Median – So anything directed towards the median plane is median.

Question 26

What does lateral mean, as a directional term for tube-like structures in the body?

Answer 26

Lateral – so anything directed away from the median plane is lateral.

Question 27

What do axial and abaxial mean, as directional terms within the body?

Answer 27

Axial and Abaxial – used in the manus and pes, similar to median and lateral.

Question 28

What do dexter and sinister mean, as directional terms within the body?

Answer 28

Dexter and Sinister – (are uncommon) refer to right and left.

Question 29

What do ipsilateral and contralateral mean, as directional terms within the body?

Answer 29

Ipsilateral – occurring on or belonging to the same side of the body.
Contralateral – occurring on or belonging to the opposite side of the body.

Question 30

What do ascending and descending mean, as directional terms within the body?

Answer 30

Ascending and Descending – used to differentiate different parts of the GI tract.

Question 31

What is flexion?

Answer 31

Flexion – pertains to movement at a joint, which decreases the angle between 2 adjacent body segments or bones.

Question 32

What is extension?

Answer 32

Extension – pertains to movement at a joint, which increases the angle between 2 adjacent body segments or bones.

Question 33

What is protraction?

Answer 33

Protraction – the limb is drawn cranially (dog gives you its paw).

Question 34

What is retraction?

Answer 34

Retraction – the limb is drawn caudally.

Question 35

What is abduction?

Answer 35

Abduction – the entire limb is moved away from the midline of the body.

Question 36

What is adduction?

Answer 36

Adduction – where the entire limb is brought towards the midline.

Question 37

What is supination?

Answer 37

Supination – lateral rotation of the limb (equivalent of rotating human hand so the palm is face up).

Question 38

What is pronation?

Answer 38

Pronation – medial rotation of the limb.