Introduction to
Anatomical Terms
UNIT
1
T
his unit is designed to introduce your students to the world and language of anatomy and physiology. It
contains both wet and dry activities to familiarize your students with frequently encountered directional
terms, regional terms, planes of section, and organ systems. Although certain units in this manual are
structured so that the instructor may choose to do the exercises out of numerical order, the exercises in this unit
are cumulative, and thus following the numerical order of the exercises is recommended.
As with each unit, the pre-lab exercises are presented with the idea that students will complete them prior
to coming to lab. However, lab instructors with sufficiently long lab periods may prefer to have their students
complete them during the first portion of the lab period.
Pre-Lab Exercises
Pre-Lab Exercise 1: Key Terms
Directional Terms
Toward or on the front of the body
Anterior (ventral)___________________________________________________________________________________
Toward or on the back of the body
Posterior (dorsal) __________________________________________________________________________________
Toward the head or away from the tail
Superior (cranial) __________________________________________________________________________________
Away from the head or toward the tail
Inferior (caudal)____________________________________________________________________________________
Proximal
Closer to the point of origin
____________________________________________________________________________________
Distal
Away from the point of origin
____________________________________________________________________________________
Superficial
Toward the body surface
____________________________________________________________________________________
Deep
Away from the body surface
____________________________________________________________________________________
Body Cavities and Membranes
On the posterior side of the body containing the cranial and spinal cavities
Dorsal body cavity __________________________________________________________________________________
On the anterior side of the body containing the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
Ventral body cavity _________________________________________________________________________________
Is composed of two layers, the parietal and the visceral. The membrane produces
Serous membrane__________________________________________________________________________________
Planes of Section
Sagittal plane
serous fluid to lubricate the organs in the cavity.
Parallel to the body’s longitudinal axis and divides the body into right and left parts
____________________________________________________________________________________
Parallel to the body’s longitudinal axis and divides the body into an anterior part
Frontal (coronal) plane______________________________________________________________________________
and a posterior part
Perpendicular to the body’s longitudinal axis and divides the body into a superior part
Transverse plane ___________________________________________________________________________________
and an inferior part
1
Pre-Lab Exercise 2: Organ Systems
TABLE
1.2
Organ Systems
Organ System
Major Organs
Organ System Functions
Integumentary System
Skin, hair, nails
Protection, sensation, vitamin D production
Skeletal System
Bones and joints
Protection, support, movement, blood cell
production, mineral storage
Muscular System
Skeletal muscles
Movement, posture maintenance, heat
production
Nervous System
Brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves,
spinal nerves
Control system of the body; maintains
homeostasis
Cardiovascular System
Heart, blood vessels
Pump and carry blood to delivery oxygen to
organs and carry deoxygenated blood to the
lungs
Respiratory System
Lungs, respiratory tract
Oxygenate the blood and remove carbon
dioxide from the blood
Lymphatic System
Lymph vessels, spleen, thymus,
lymph nodes
Return fluid that has leaked from the blood
vessels, immunity and protection
Urinary System
Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
Filters the blood to form urine, stores and
transports urine, regulates fluid, electrolyte,
and acid-base balance
Digestive System
Esophagus, stomach, intestines,
liver, pancreas, gallbladder
Breaks down and absorbs food, absorbs
water and electrolytes, eliminates indigestible
substances
Endocrine System
Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid
and parathyroid glands, ovaries, testes,
pancreas, thymus, adrenal glands
Reproductive System
Ovaries, uterus, vagina; testes, ductus
deferens, penis
Secrete hormones that regulate the functions
of other cells in the body
Production of offspring
Materials and Prep Notes
Exercise 3: Regional Terms
Materials Needed
◗ Laminated outlines of the human body (anterior and posterior views, one per lab group): This is a simple and inexpensive outline that may be used and reused throughout the semester (and, with proper care, for many semesters to
come!). To prepare these outlines, simply photocopy and enlarge the outline in Figure 1.3, or have an artisticallyinclined person draw them by hand. Once the figures are drawn, they need to be laminated, and they are ready to
use! I recommend making a minimum of 5–10 sets, depending upon the size of your lab sections.
◗ Water-soluble marking pens: Please note that the only pens that should be used on the laminated outlines are watersoluble pens. Permanent markers are very difficult to clean, and it may be necessary to make new outlines.
UNIT 1
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Exercise 4: Body Cavities and Membranes
Body Cavities and Serous Membranes Materials Needed
◗ Human torso model and/or preserved small mammal, recommended one per group.
◗ Dissecting equipment, including scalpels and blades, scissors, metal probes, dissection pins, and dissecting trays. One
set of equipment per group.
◗ Laminated outlines with water-soluble marking pens, one set per group.
Applications of Terms, Cavities, and Membranes Materials Needed
◗ Preserved small mammal and/or human torso
◗ Dissection pins and/or colored stickers
Exercise 5: Planes of Section
Sectioning Along Anatomical Planes Materials Needed
◗ Modeling clay
◗ Scalpels
Identifying Examples of Anatomical Planes of Section Materials Needed
◗ Anatomical models sectioned in various anatomical planes
Exercise 6: Organs and Organ Systems
Materials Needed
◗ Human torso model and/or preserved small mammal, recommended one per group
◗ Dissecting equipment, including scalpels and blades, scissors, metal probes, dissection pins, and dissecting trays. One
set of equipment per group
Answers to Procedural Questions
Exercise 2: Directional Terms
1
2
3
4
Obtain a well plate, some
5
Add two drops of iron chlo
Fill the large well with will
Soak the bark in ethanol fo
After 15 minutes, use a pip
amounts into well 1 and w
Procedure Directional Terms
Fill in the correct directional term for the items below:
proximal
The elbow is ____________________
to the wrist.
posterior
The spine is ______________________
to the esophagus.
inferior
The chin is ____________________
to the nose.
medial
The mouth is ______________________
to the ear.
lateral
The shoulder is ____________________
to the sternum
(breastbone).
posterior
The spine is on the ______________________
side of the
body.
superior
The forehead is ____________________
to the mouth.
lateral
The arm is ________________________
to the torso.
superficial
The skin is ____________________
to the muscle.
distal
The knee is _______________________
to the hip.
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Exercise 3: Regional Terms
1
2
3
4
Obtain a well plate, some
5
Add two drops of iron chlo
Fill the large well with will
Soak the bark in ethanol fo
After 15 minutes, use a pip
amounts into well 1 and w
Procedure Labeling Body Regions
Label each of the regions of the human body
Cephalic
Cranial
Frontal
Orbital
Nasal
Buccal
Otic
Oral
Occipital
Mental
Cervical
Acromial
Scapular
Sternal
Thoracic
Mammary
Axillary
Arm
Brachial
Antecubital
Vertebral
Abdominal
Umbilical
Nuchal
Upper limb
Antebrachial
Forearm
Carpal
Palmar
Digital
Pelvic
Lumbar
Gluteal
Inguinal
Pubic
Thigh
Femoral
Patellar
Popliteal
Crural
Sural
Leg
Tarsal
Calcaneal
Plantar
FIGURE
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INTRODUCTION
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Lower limb
1.4
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Exercise 4: Body Cavities and Membranes
1
2
3
4
Obtain a well plate, some
5
Add two drops of iron chlo
Fill the large well with will
Soak the bark in ethanol fo
After 15 minutes, use a pip
amounts into well 1 and w
Procedure Body Cavities
List the organs you are able to see.
1.3
TABLE
Body Cavities and Regions of the Abdominopelvic Cavity
Cavity
Organ(s)
Dorsal cavity:
1. Cranial cavity
Brain, eyes, organs for hearing
2. Vertebral cavity
Spinal cord
Ventral cavity:
1. Thoracic cavity
a. Pleural cavities
Lungs
b. Mediastinum
Great vessels, esophagus, trachea, bronchi
(1) Pericardial cavity
Heart
2. Abdominopelvic cavity
a. Subdivisions:
(1) Abdominal cavity
Stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, kidneys, large intestine
(2) Pelvic cavity
Reproductive organs, urinary bladder
b. Regions:
(1) Right hypochondriac region
Liver, gallbladder, small intestine, right kidney, ascending and transverse colon
(2) Epigastric region
Esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, kidneys, spleen, transverse
colon
(3) Left hypochondriac region
Stomach, small intestine, transverse colon, descending colon, left kidney, spleen
(4) Right lumbar region
Gallbladder, small intestine, ascending colon, right kidney
(5) Umbilical region
Stomach, pancreas, small intestine, transverse colon, kidneys
(6) Left lumbar region
Small intestine, descending colon, left kidney
(7) Right iliac region
Small intestine, appendix, cecum, right ovary and fallopian tube, ascending colon
(8) Hypogastric region
Small intestine, sigmoid colon, rectum, ovaries and fallopian tubes, vas deferens,
seminal vesicle, prostate
(9) Left iliac region
Small intestine, descending and sigmoid colon, left ovary and fallopian tube
UNIT 1
INTRODUCTION
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1
2
3
4
Obtain a well plate, some
5
Add two drops of iron chlo
Fill the large well with will
Soak the bark in ethanol fo
After 15 minutes, use a pip
amounts into well 1 and w
Procedure Serous Membranes
As you identify each serous membrane, record in the table where you found the membrane and the structure to which the
membrane is attached.
TABLE
1.4
Serous Membranes
Membrane
Cavity
Structure
Parietal pleura
Pleural cavity
Thoracic wall, diaphragm
Visceral pleura
Pleural cavity
Lungs
Parietal pericardium
Pericardial cavity
Great vessels, diaphragm
Visceral pericardium
Pericardial cavity
Heart
Parietal peritoneum
Peritoneal cavity
Abdominal wall
Visceral peritoneum
Peritoneal cavity
Abdominal organs
1
2
3
4
Obtain a well plate, some
5
Add two drops of iron chlo
Fill the large well with will
Soak the bark in ethanol fo
After 15 minutes, use a pip
amounts into well 1 and w
Procedure Applications of Terms, Cavities, and Membranes
You are acting as coroner, and you have a victim with three gunshot wounds. In this scenario, your “victim” will be
your fetal pig or a human torso model that your instructor has “shot.” State the anatomical region and/or body cavity in
which the “bullet” was found, and describe the location of the wound using at least three directional terms. As coroner,
you have to be as specific as possible and keep your patient in anatomical position!
For this question, the answers will vary based upon the locations that you choose to place the “bullets.”
I typically place one on an extremity, one on the anterior thorax/abdomen, and one on the posterior head or
neck. A typical answer should read similar to:
“The bullet entered the posterior cervical region, 4 mm inferior to the occipital region and 2 centimeters
lateral to the vertebral region (or vertebral cavity). The bullet is lodged deep to the posterior neck muscles but
superficial to the bone.”
You can ask your students to be more or less specific as you wish.
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Exercise 6: Organs and Organ Systems
1
2
3
4
Obtain a well plate, some
5
Add two drops of iron chlo
Fill the large well with will
Soak the bark in ethanol fo
After 15 minutes, use a pip
amounts into well 1 and w
Procedure Organs
Identify organs on your preserved mammal specimen or human torso models and record the organ system to which it belongs.
TABLE
1.6
Organs and Organ Systems
Organ System
Major Organ(s)
Integumentary system
Skin, hair, nails
Skeletal system
Bones and joints
Muscular system
Skeletal muscles
Nervous system
Brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, spinal nerves
Cardiovascular system
Heart, blood vessels
Lymphatic system
Lymph vessels, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes
Respiratory system
Lungs, respiratory tract
Digestive system
Esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder
Urinary system
Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
Endocrine system
Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid and parathyroid glands, ovaries, testes,
pancreas, thymus, adrenal glands
Reproductive system
Testes, ductus deferens, penis / Ovaries, uterus, vagina
UNIT 1
INTRODUCTION
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1
2
3
4
Obtain a well plate, some
5
Add two drops of iron chl
Fill the large well with will
Soak the bark in ethanol fo
After 15 minutes, use a pip
amounts into well 1 and w
Procedure Organ Systems
Fill in the blanks next to each organ system to identify the major organs and principal functions of each system.
Main Organs:
Main Organs:
Skin
Hair
Nails
Bones
and joints
Main Functions:
Main Functions:
Protection
Support
Movement
Blood cell production
Mineral storage
Integumentary System
Skeletal System
Movement
Posture maintenance
Heat production
Muscular System
Main Organs:
Main Organs:
Lymph vessels
Spleen
Thymus
Lymph nodes
Main Organs:
Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra
Lungs
Respiratory
tract
Main Functions:
Main Functions:
Main Functions:
Oxygenate the blood
Remove carbon
dioxide from
the blood
Return fluid that
has leaked from the
blood vessels
Immunity
Protection
Respiratory System
FIGURE
UNIT 1
Skeletal
muscles
Main Functions:
Protection
Sensation
Vitamin D
production
Lymphatic System
Main Organs:
1.11
INTRODUCTION
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Urinary System
Filter the blood
to form urine
Store and transport urine
Regulate fluid, electrolyte,
and acid-base balance
Organ systems of the body
A N AT O M I C A L T E R M S
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Main Organs:
Main Organs:
Brain
Spinal cord
Cranial nerves
Spinal nerves
Hypothalamus,
pituitary gland, thyroid
and parathyroid glands,
ovaries, testes, pancreas,
thymus, adrenal glands
Main Functions:
Main Functions:
Pump and carry blood
to deliver oxygen to
organs and carry
deoxygenated blood
to the lungs
Secrete hormones
that regulate the
functions of other
cells in the body
Nervous System
Endocrine System
Main Organs:
Cardiovascular System
Main Organs:
Esophagus
Stomach Intestines
Liver
Pancreas
Gallbladder
Main Organs:
Ovaries
Uterus
Vagina
Testes
Ductus deferens
Penis
Main Functions:
Main Functions:
Breaks down and
absorbs food, absorbs
water and electrolytes,
eliminates indigestible
substances
Main Functions:
Production of
offspring
Male Reproductive System
FIGURE
UNIT 1
Heart
Blood vessels
Main Functions:
Control system
of the body
Maintains
homeostasis
Digestive System
Main Organs:
1.11
INTRODUCTION
Production
of offspring
Female Reproductive System
Organ systems of the body (cont.)
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UNIT
1
REVIEW
Check Your Recall
1
Which of the following best describes anatomical position?
a.
b.
c.
d.
2
Body facing forward, toes pointing forward, palms facing backward
Body, toes, and palms facing backward
Body facing forward, arms at the sides, palms facing forward
Body facing backward and palms facing outward
Match the directional term with its correct definition.
a. Distal
F
_____
A. Away from the surface/toward the body’s interior
b. Lateral
D
_____
B. Toward the back of the body
c. Anterior
I
_____
C. Closer to the point of origin (e.g., of a limb)
C
d. Proximal _____
e. Inferior
H
_____
E. Toward the head
f. Deep
A
_____
F. Farther from the point of origin (e.g., of a limb)
J
g. Superficial _____
3
D. Away from the body’s midline
G. Toward the body’s midline
h. Posterior
B
_____
H. Away from the head/toward the tail
i. Medial
G
_____
I.
Toward the front of the body
j. Superior
E
_____
J.
Toward the surface/skin
Which of the following is an incorrect use of a directional term?
a.
b.
c.
d.
UNIT 1
The ankle is inferior to the knee.
The sternum is superior to the abdomen.
The bone is deep to the muscle.
The mouth is medial to the ears.
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4
Label the following anatomical regions on Figure 1.12:
• Otic region
• Inguinal region
• Carpal region
• Forearm
• Leg
• Upper limb
• Orbital region
• Cervical region
• Digital region
• Brachial region
• Sternal region
• Lumbar region
Orbital
region
Otic region
Cervical
region
Sternal
region
Brachial
region
Lumbar
region
Forearm
Carpal
region
Digital
region
Inguinal
region
Leg
FIGURE
1.12
Anterior and posterior views of the body
5 Anatomical position and specific directional and regional terms are used in anatomy and physiology to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
UNIT 1
standardize units of measure.
provide a standard that facilitates communication and decreases the chances for errors.
provide a standard that is used to develop drug delivery systems.
make students’ lives difficult.
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6 Label the following body cavities on Figure 1.13 and indicate with an asterisk (*) which cavities are surrounded by
serous membranes.
• Dorsal cavity
• Cranial cavity
• Vertebral cavity
• Ventral cavity
• Thoracic cavity
• Pleural cavities*
• Mediastinum
• Pericardial cavity*
• Abdominopelvic cavity
• Abdominal cavity*
• Pelvic cavity
Cranial
cavity
Pleural
cavity*
Vertebral
cavity
Mediastinum
Thoracic
cavity
Dorsal
cavity
Pericardial
cavity*
Abdominal
cavity*
Abdominopelvic cavity
Ventral
cavity
Pelvic
cavity
FIGURE
1.13
Anterior and lateral views of the body cavities
7 Fill in the blanks: A serous membrane secretes
serous fluid
lubricates
ventral
____________________,
which _____________________
the organs in certain _____________________
body cavities.
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8 Define the following planes of section:
plane down the midline, divides the body into equal right and left halves
a. Midsagittal plane __________________________________________________________________________________
divides the body into unequal right and left parts
b. Parasagittal plane __________________________________________________________________________________
divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
c. Frontal plane ______________________________________________________________________________________
divides the body into superior/proximal and inferior/distal parts
d. Transverse plane ___________________________________________________________________________________
divides the body along an angle
e. Oblique plane _____________________________________________________________________________________
9 The following organs belong to the ___________________________ system: esophagus, gallbladder, liver.
a.
b.
c.
d.
integumentary
reproductive
lymphatic
digestive
10 The following organs belong to the __________________________ system: pancreas, thyroid gland, adrenal glands.
a.
b.
c.
d.
UNIT 1
endocrine
urinary
lymphatic
cardiovascular
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? ?? ?
??? ?
1
Check Your Understanding
Critical Thinking and Application Questions
Figure 1.14 is not in anatomical position. List all of the deviations from
anatomical position.
Figure is facing backward, palms are at sides, head is turned,
and feet are not in same position.
1.14 Figure not
in anatomical position
FIGURE
2
You are reading a surgeon’s operative report. During the
course of the surgery, she made several incisions. Your
job is to read her operative report and determine where the
incisions were made. Draw the incisions on Figure 1.15.
a. The first incision was made in the right anterior cervical
region, 3 centimeters lateral to the trachea. The cut
extended vertically, 2 centimeters inferior to the mental
region, to 3 centimeters superior to the thoracic region.
a
c
b
b. The second incision was made in the left anterior axillary
region and extended medially to the sternal region. At
the sternal region the cut turned inferiorly to 4 centimeters
superior to the umbilical region.
c. The third incision was made in the left posterior scapular
region. The cut was extended medially to 2 centimeters
lateral to the vertebral region, where it turned superiorly
and progressed to one centimeter inferior to the cervical
region.
FIGURE
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1.15
Anterior and posterior views of the body
14
3
What may be some real-world applications of anatomical sections? (Hint: Think of the medical field.)
Medical imaging scans, biopsies
4
Which anatomical section(s) would provide a view of the internal anatomy of both kidneys?
Frontal and transverse sections
5
The type of anatomy we are studying in this lab manual is called systemic anatomy, which means that we cover the
organs related to a specific organ system. Some, however, choose to study anatomy from a regional point of view
(e.g., the abdominal region or the thoracic region). Find at least two organ systems that contain organs in different
regions of the body, and state where the organs are located in the body.
Example: The nervous system has organs in the cranial cavity (the brain), the spinal
cavity (the spinal cord), the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities (spinal and cranial
nerves), and the upper and lower limbs (spinal nerves).
Endocrine system: cranial cavity, abdominal cavity, cervical region, pelvic cavity, thoracic cavity
Digestive system: head/neck, thoracic cavity, abdominopelvic cavity
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