April 5, 2016
Anatomical Position
The picture shows a body in
anatomical position.
The person is upright, with arms down
and palms to the front.
Anatomical Position
All directional terms reference position
with regards to anatomical position …
even if the body in question is in a
different position.
Example: The head is superior
(above) to the feet, whether you are
standing up, laying down, or doing a
handstand.
Directional Terms
Important terms not
shown on the
diagram:
 Deep – more internal
 Superficial – toward /
at body surface
Terms are used to
describe relative
position.
Example: the ribs are
anterior to the spine
Directional Term Practice 1
Using your guided notes, answer the following
1.
inferior / distal
The knee is _____________________
to the hip bones.
2.
lateral
The ears are _________________________
to the nose.
3.
posterior / dorsal
The elbow is on the _________________side
of the arm.
medial
4. Your naval is _______________________
to your arms.
5.
lateral
Your thumbs are always _____________
to your fingers.
deep
6. Your heart is _________________________
to your ribs.
7.
superior / proximalto your elbows._
Your shoulders are ________________
Directional Term Practice 2
 Name a structure that is …
 … medial to your eye
 … lateral to your heart
 …. distal to your wrist
 … proximal to your elbow
 … on the posterior side of the hand
 …on the anterior side of the body
 … superficial to the ribs
Regional Terms
The body can be divided into two main regions:
 Axial part – the main axis of our body
 Head, neck, trunk
 Appendicular part – the appendages
 arms, legs
Regional Terms
The body can be divided into two main regions:
 Axial part – the main axis of our body
 Head, neck, trunk
 Appendicular part – the appendages
 arms, legs
Your femur is on what part of
the body?
Your sternum is on what part
of the body?
Regional Terms
The body can be divided into two main regions:
 Axial part – the main axis of our body
 Head, neck, trunk
 Appendicular part – the appendages
 arms, legs
Your femur is on what part of
the body? appendicular
Your sternum is on what part
of the body? axial
Body Planes and Sections
The body may be sectioned (cut) along a flat surface
called a plane.
The three most common planes are:
• Sagittal (Median) plane
(cuts body into left & right)
• Frontal (coronal) plane
(cuts body into front & back)
• Transverse plane (cross section)
(cuts body into superior &
inferior parts)
Body Planes and Sections
The body may be sectioned (cut) along a flat surface
called a plane.
Misconception alert!
Planes do not have to be in the middle
of the body to go by these names.
Body Planes and Sections
Which plane could be used to separate
the hemispheres of the brain?
sagittal
Which plane could be used to separate
the top and bottom of the kidney?
transverse
Which plane could be used to separate t
The anterior and posterior parts of the
body?
frontal
Body Cavities
Body Cavities
In which cavity are the following organs are found:
Name both the major and minor divisions.
 Spinal cord
Dorsal, vertebral
 Lungs
Ventral, thoracic
Dorsal, cranial
Ventral, abdominal
 Brain
 Liver
 Bladder
Ventral, pelvic
 Small intestine Ventral, abdominal
Practice!
Look over your notes on: direction, regional, sectional,
and cavity terms with a partner for 5 minutes.
Then, we will play a game.
Game (Round 1)
Get a partner and 8 small pieces of tape, and label 1-8.
Place the tape on your partner’s body to match the
words.
First one wins!
Game (Round 1)
1. Medial to the eye
2. Proximal to the knee
3. Inferior to the neck
4. On the anterior side of the body
5. Distal to the elbow
6. Posterior side of the hand
7. On the axial body
8. On the appendicular body
Game (Round 2) – switch
Game (Round 2) – switch
1. Inferior to the heart
2. Distal to the knee
3. On the posterior side of the neck
4. On the appendicular body
5. On the axial body
6. Medial to the lungs
7. Superior to the waist
8. On the anterior side of the arm
Game (Round 3)
Write on paper..
1.
2.
3.
Game (Round 3)
Write on paper. Identify the sectional cuts.
1.
2.
3.
Game (Round 3)
Write on paper. Identify the sectional cuts.
1.
2.
3.
Game (Round 4)
Write on paper.
Game (Round 4)
Write on paper. Identify the body cavities. Use
minor classification (not ventral / dorsal).
1. Where the spinal cord is
2. Where the lungs are
3. Where the stomach is
4. Where the ovaries are
5. Where the kidneys are
6. Where the brain is
Game (Round 4) – Row Teams
Write on paper. Identify the body cavities. Use
minor classification (not ventral / dorsal).
1. Where the spinal cord is
2. Where the lungs are
3. Where the stomach is
4. Where the ovaries are
5. Where the kidneys are
6. Where the brain is
Homework
Test next class