FOUNDATION CLINICAL SCIENCES FOR RADIOGRAPHY (FCS)
LEARNING PACKAGE
INTRODUCTION TO REGIONAL ANATOMY
Introduction
This package is designed to introduce you to anatomical body regions and some basic medical
terminology. Information regarding recommended text is give however you may come across
other texts that are helpful and more suited to your learning style.If you have any queries
about this, discuss it with members of the module team. It is worth enquiring whether a
textbook has related study guides or interactive CD roms available. Most anatomy and
physiology textbooks have new editions produced yearly.
In this pack you are asked to perform certain activities to reinforce your learning, this is
because research has shown that retention of information is improved if you become an
ACTIVE learner. Developing a questioning approach to your studies rather than attempt to
passively absorb information will aid retention and recollection of information.
Refer to the C.R.E.A.M. strategy for learning in The study skills handbook (Cotterell, 1999)
especially pg 77 onwards.
To optimise your placement experience and communicate effectively as practising
radiographers you need to acquire a good grounding in basic medical terminology. Try to look
up any terms you come across that you are unfamiliar with, most anatomy and physiology
textbooks include a glossary. It is a good idea to construct your own glossary of terms as you
come across them for your own future reference.
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Learning Outcomes
By the end of this learning pack you should be able to:
Define the anatomical position
Explain in words/ diagrams medical terms that relate to orientation/position
Locate and name the regions of the abdomen
Define at least 10 medical terms
The Anatomical position
In discussing human anatomy it is vital to orientate relevant structures in relation to one
another. This concept is aided with use of specific terminology. Research the terms “the
anatomical position ”and “anatomical relationships” and then try to complete the following.
(see Chapter 1 Principles of Anatomy and Physiology Gerard J Tortora and Bryan H Derrickson
(12th Edition) or Chapter 1 of Structure & Function of the Body Thibodeau & Patton)
Activity:
Define the anatomical position in words or diagrams
.............................................................................
Explain the significance of the anatomical position.
…………………………………………………….
Body Cavities
The body is divided up into cavities. The main ones are:The Cranio-Sacral Cavity
The Thoraic Cavity
The Abdomino-pelvic cavity
NB The skeleton is divided up into two components - Axial and Appendicular which you will
cover in the musculo-skeletal system
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Abdominal Regions
Why is it important to know which organs lie in what regions?
In your clinical placements all of you will have to help position patients for either their
examinations or treatments. Communication regarding patients will use medical terms so
to work effectively and safely you must have an in depth knowledge - imagine if you
where asked to image or treat an area and you didn’t know where it was!
You should remember that each patient is an individual and that there may be some
slight variation of the position of organs with a person’s position or body habitus. E.g. late
pregnancy may affect the position of the urinary bladder.
Occasionally a person may have their organs located on the opposite side of the body to
what is considered the “norm”.
Find out the medical term for this and write it
down..........................................
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Activity
Study the diagram below that depicts the 9 regions of the abdomen. Test your knowledge by
trying to draw the diagram from memory– you may need a few attempts to get it right! Can
you devise a strategy that helps you remember. Discuss this with another member of your
group. How do they remember?
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Regional contents of the Abdomen
The table below shows some of the contents of each region of the abdomen. As your
learning of regional anatomy progresses add to the table develop your own educational
resource
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RIGHT HYPOCHONDRIAL
REGION
Liver and Gall bladderd sup
Colon – hepatic flexure
EPIGASTRIC REGION
Liver
Transverse colondaorta and vena a
Pylorus and Duodenum (1st part)
LEFT HYPOCHONDRIAL REGION
StomachSpln
Kidney and Suprarenal gland
Colon – splenic flexure
RIGHT LUMBAR REGION
Kidney
Colon – ascending
Small intestine
UMBILICAL REGION
Transverse colon
Abdominal aorta
Vena CavaSmall intestine
Iliac vessels
LEFT LUMBAR REGION
Colon – descending
Pancreas
Small intestine (jejunum)
RIGHT ILIAC REGION
Caecum
Appendix
Small intestine (ileum)
HYPOGASTRIC REGION
Distensible organs of the pelvis
Full bladder
uterus after 12th week of pregnancy.
Small intestineIliac vessels
Spermatic cords
LEFT ILIAC REGIONigmoid colon
Small intestine
Describe the meaning of the following in either words or diagrams:
superior
lateral
Inferior
proximal
anterior(or ventral)
distal
posterior(or dorsal)
superficial
medial
deep
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In some of the sessions and certainly in clinical practice you will be viewing images generated
by CT or MRI which depict anatomy in various planes. These planes may be transverse crosssectional, sagittal or coronal. Look up the meaning of these terms and complete the following
activity.
Activity:Define the following anatomical planes, drawing schematic diagrams to help you remember
them.
sagittal.........................................................................
median-sagittal (or mid-sagittal) .........................................
coronal..........................................................................
axial (or transverse)..........................................................
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Medical Terminology
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activity : Learning anatomical terms is like learning a different language. Review the previous
diagrams and then complete the table below to test your knowledge.
cervical
axillary
digital or phalangeal
occipital
gluteal
inguinal
cranial
thoracic
plantar/pedal
nasal
sacral
renal
popliteal
sternal
temporal
vertex
tarsal
pubic
gastric
otic
cubital
dorsum
cephalic
lumbar
genital
mammary
femoral
palmar
oral
hepatic
lingual
coccygeal
pectoral
orbital
parietal
loin
patellar
mediastinal
pleural
Add some other terms that you have discovered
…………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………..
Finally, looking back at the learning outcomes for this learning pack. How well do you think you
have addressed all the outcomes?
References & Textbooks
Cottrell Stella1999 The Study Skills Handbook
Monkhouse Stanley 2001 Clinical Anatomy. A core text with self-assessment
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology Gerard J Tortora and Bryan H Derrickson (12th Edition)
Tortora G,.J.and Grabowski S.R, 2000 Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 9th edition
Structure & Function of the Body Thibodeau & Patton 13th Edition
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