Introduction to Anatomical Terminology (Anatomy)

Anatomical Terminology:

Most anatomical terms stem from Latin or Greek.

Example: Hepatitis

Hepar= Liver

Itis= Inflammation

Acts as a point of reference for all movements.

Anatomical Body Planes:

Plane: an imaginary flat surface running through the body.

There are four anatomical body planes:

Coronal/Frontal plane

Sagittal plane

Midsagittal plane

Transverse/Axial plane

Coronal (Frontal) Plane:

Oriented vertically.

Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

♬♪ Coronal (Frontal) Plane:

Oriented vertically.

Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Anatomical Body Planes:

Plane: an imaginary flat surface running through the body.

♬♪ There are four anatomical body planes:

Coronal/Frontal plane

Sagittal plane

Midsagittal plane

Transverse/Axial plane

Sagittal Plane:

Oriented vertically.

Divides the body into right and left parts.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane:

Lies exactly in the midline vertically.

Parasagittal Plane:

Para= near.

A sagittal plane that lies offset from the midline.

Midline of the Body:

An imaginary vertical line dividing the body equally.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane:

Oriented horizontally.

Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

♬♪ Regional Terms:

Names of specific body areas.

Body Divisions:

Axial Region

Appendicular Region

Directional Terms:

♬♪ Allow us to precisely explain where one structure lies in relation to another.

Include:

Superior/Inferior

Medial/Lateral

Anterior (ventral)/Posterior (dorsal)

Cranial/Caudal

Superficial/Deep

Upper part of a structure or the body; above.

♬♪ Example: The head is superior to the neck.

Toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

♬♪ Example: The thorax is inferior to the neck.

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

♬♪ Example: The heart is medial to the lungs.

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

♬♪ Example: The lungs lie lateral to the heart

Combination of Terms:

Inferolateral: Lower and away from the midline.

Inferomedial: Lower and toward the midline.

Superolateral: Upper and away from the midline.

Superomedial: Upper and toward the midline.

Anterior (Ventral):

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

♬♪ Example: The sternum is anterior to the heart.

Note: The terms "anterior" and "ventral" and "posterior" and "dorsal" are synonymous in humans but not in four-legged animals.

Posterior (Dorsal):

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

♬♪ Example: The heart is posterior to the sternum.

Note: The terms "anterior" and "ventral" and "posterior" and "dorsal" are synonymous in humans but not in four-legged animals.

Toward the head end.

Away from the head end; refers to the tail (inferior).

Superficial (External):

Toward or at the body surface.

Example: The skin is superficial to muscles.

Deep (Internal):

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Example: The muscles are deep to the skin.

Proximal:

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Example: The forearm is proximal to the hand.

Distal:

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Examples:

The hand is distal to the forearm.

The forearm is distal to the arm.

Directional Terms for Movement:

Flexion/Extension

Adduction/Abduction

Medial rotation/Lateral rotation

Circumduction

Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion

Inversion/Eversion

Pronation/Supination

Retrusion/Protrusion

Opposition/Reposition

Elevation/Depression

Flexion:

Flexion decreases the angle between two bones.

Examples:

Trunk flexion

Neck flexion

Finger flexion

Extension:

Extension increases the angle between two bones.

Examples:

Trunk extension

Neck extension

Finger extension

Medial Rotation:

Rotating toward the median plane.

Lateral Rotation:

Rotating away from the median plane.

Circumduction:

Moving a limb or finger so that it describes a cone in space.

Examples of Circumduction:

Hip circumduction

Shoulder circumduction

Wrist/hand circumduction

Thumb circumduction

Finger circumduction

Ankle/foot circumduction

Toe circumduction

Head circumduction

Adduction:

Moving a limb toward the body midline.

Examples:

Finger adduction

Wrist adduction

Thumb opposition:

Moving the thumb to touch the tips of the other fingers.

Dorsiflexion:

Lifting the foot or hand (superiorly).

Dorsiflexion of the foot:

Lifting the foot so its superior (dorsum) surface approaches the leg.

Dorsiflexion of the hand:

Same as hand extension. Lifting the hand so its dorsum approaches the forearm.

Plantar Flexion:

Depressing the foot, elevating the heel.

Eversion:

Turning the sole of the foot laterally.

Inversion:

Turning the sole of the foot medially.

Protraction:

Moving a body part in the anterior direction.

Retraction:

Moving a body part in the posterior direction.

Elevation:

Lifting a body part superiorly.

Depression:

Moving a body part inferiorly.