An Introduction to
LMAO!
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Anatomic reference
systems describe the
location and functions
of body parts. The basic
reference systems are:
body planes
body directions
body regions
body cavities
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understand the how 3 body planes
divide the human body
Be able to use directional
terminology in describing different
areas of the body
Identify and recognize body regions
Gain a working understanding of
body cavities and the organs they
house
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Person stands erect with feet together and eyes
forward
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Palms face anteriorly with thumbs pointed
away from the body
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Right and left always refers to the sides
belonging to the person or specimen being
viewed – never to the viewer
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Note: four legged animals have a different
anatomical position than humans
Their ventral is on the inferior side and dorsal in on
the superior side
 In humans ventral and anterior is the same and so is
dorsal and posterior
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1. Anterior = body parts on
the front of the body
2. Posterior = body parts on
the back of the body
The frontal plane divides the
body into “anterior” and
“posterior” regions.
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Cranial or Superior =
body parts near the
head
Caudal or Inferior =
body parts located near
the sacrum, or tail bone.
Cranial
Caudal
1.
Medial = body parts
located near the middle
or midline of the body
2. Lateral = body parts
located away from the
midline or middle of
the body
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Lateral referrs to
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Proximal = body parts
close to the point of
reference
Distal = body parts away
from the point of
reference
In
Summary…
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A “body plane”is an imaginary line
drawn through the body which
separates it into sections.
-The Sagittal Plane
Divides the body
into right and left
sides
The “Frontal Plane”
divides the body into
front and back section.
The frontal plane is
sometimes called the
“Coronal Plane.”
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The “transverse
Plane” divides the
body into sections
above and below
the midline.
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Use a marker to label the top and bottom of
your orange.
Draw a line around the orange which
represents the transverse plane. Label.
Draw a line around the orange which
represents the frontal or coronal plane. Label.
Draw a line around the orange which
represents the Sagittal Plane. Label.
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Cut the orange in half along the transverse
plane. When Finished, use a toothpick to put
the orange back together.
Cut the orange in half along coronal plane.
When Finished, use toothpicks to put the
orange back together.
Cut the orange in half along the Sagittal Plane.
When Finished, use toothpicks to put the
orange back together.
1. Right Upper Quadrant
(RUQ)
2. Left Upper Quadrant
(LUQ)
3. Right Lower Quadrant
(RLQ)
4. Left Lower Quadrant
(LLQ)
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Epigastric
Umbilical
Pelvic
Hypochondriac
Lateral
Inguinal
-A long continuous cavity
that is located on the
back (or posterior) of the
body, divided into two
sections
Cranial Cavity =
contains the brain
Spinal Cavity = contains
the spinal cord
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Cervical vertebrae: C
Thoracic vertebrae: T
Lumbar vertebrae: L
Sacrum: S
Larger and separated into 2
distinct cavities by a
dome-shaped muscle
called the diaphragm,
which is important for
breathing.
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Thoracic Cavity =
located in the chest,
contains the heart, lungs,
and the large blood
vessels
Figure 1.7
2. Abdominal Cavity = divided into
quadrants…
Upper part contains the stomach, small
intestines, most of the large intestines,
liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen
3. Pelvic Cavity = lower abdominal
cavity containing urinary bladder, the
reproductive organs, and last part of the
large intestines
Cranial
Thoracic
Spinal
Diaphragm
Adbdominal
Pelvic
That’s all Folks!
Traditional more non-invasive method of diagnosis
 X-rays (electromagnetic waves) directed at the
body
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Some x-rays are absorbed: amount of absorption
depends on the density of matter encountered
Radiograph image: negative
Darker exposed areas represent soft organs (easily
penetrated)
 Light, unexposed areas correspond to denser
structures such as bones
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Contrast medium: solution with heavy
elements (i.e. barium)
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Used to view soft tissue organs
Advanced X-Ray techniques use computerassisted imaging technologies
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X ray: electromagnetic waves of very short length
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Best for visualizing bones and abnormal dense structures
Clavicles
(collarbones)
Ribs
Air in
lungs
(black
)Heart
Diaphragm
(a) Radiograph of the chest
(b)Mammogram (cancerou
tumor at arrow)
Figure 1.10
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Takes successive X rays around a person’s
circumference
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Right
View
Translates recorded information into a detailed picture of
the section
Left
Liver
Stomach
Colon
Inferior
vena cava
Aorta
Spleen
Left
kidney
Thoracic
vertebra
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Contrast media make
hollow or fluid-filled
structures visible
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Media can be
introduced by
injection, orally, or
rectally
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Depends on the
structure imaged
Barium contrast x-ray
showing a cancer of the
ascending colon (arrow)
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A contrast medium
given: images
taken ‘before’ and
‘after’
Computer processes
the x-ray images and
subtracts the
differences
 Eliminates all traces
of body structures
that obscure the
vessel
 Identify blockages of
arteries that supply
the heart or brain
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Figure
1.12
• Produces images by
detecting radioactive
isotopes injected into the
body
• Decaying isotopes emits
gamma rays
Detected by sensors,
translated into impulses
and sent to a computer
• Active areas receiving
more blood light up
Figure
1.13
Figure 1.14
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Pulses of high frequency (ultrasonic) sound waves reflect
(echo) off tissue
Computer analyzes the echoes to construct sectional
images
Inexpensive/safer technique but not used for viewing
air-filled structures or structures surrounded by bone
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High-energy magnetic field causes protons (H+) in tissues and fluids to align
in relation to the field
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Pulse of radio waves emitted to misalign H+
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As they realign with the magnet a radio wave is again emitted
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Sensors ‘read’ these ion patterns, computerized signals produce detailed images
of soft tissues
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Endoscope: lighted
instrument with
lenses
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Used for visual
examination of the inside
of body organs or cavities
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Colonoscopy: interior
of the colon
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Arthroscopy: interior
of a joint
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Interior view of the
Laparoscopy: interior colon as shown by
of abdominopelvic
colonoscopy
organs