Language of Anatomy

1. Language of Anatomy

2. Language • Special terminology is used to prevent misunderstanding • Exact terms are used for • Position • Direction • Regions • Structures

3. Body Sections • Median(sagittal) - dividing body into equal right and left parts • Midsagittal – left and right are equal size • Frontal (coronal)- divides body into ventral and dorsal • Transverse – divides body into superior and inferior

4. Superior(cranial) • Toward head end • The forehead is superior to the mouth

5. Inferior(caudal) • Away from the head • The naval is inferior to the breastbone

6. Ventral(Anterior) • Toward the front of the body • The breastbone is ventral to the spine

7. Dorsal(posterior) • Toward or at the back of the body (behind) • The heart is dorsal to the breastbone

8. Medial • Toward or at the midline of the body • The heart is medial to the arm

9. Lateral • Away from the midline of the body • The arms are lateral to the heart

10. Proximal • Close to the point of attachment of a limb to the body • The elbow is proximal to the wrist

11. Distal • Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the body • The wrist is distal to the elbow

12. Superficial • Toward or at the bodies surface • The skin is superficial to the skeleton • A superficial wound is at the surface

13. Deep • Away from the bodies surface • The skeleton is deep to the skin

14. Body Cavities • Dorsal body cavity • Cranial cavity -the brain • Spinal cavity - the spinal cord • Ventral body cavity • Thoracic cavity - heart, lungs and others • Abdominal cavity - digestive system and most urinary system organs • Pelvic – reproductive organs • Abdominopelvic – all of abdominal and pelvic