The Language of Anatomy ▪ Medial: toward or at the midline of the body; on\ the

inner side of
▪ Special terminology is used to prevent

misunderstanding

▪ Exact terms are used for:

▪ Position ▪ Direction

▪ Regions ▪ Structures

▪ Anatomical position

▪ Standard body position used to avoid confusion

▪ Terminology refers to this position regardless of

actual body position

▪ Stand erect, feet parallel, arms hanging at the sides

with palms facing forward and thumbs pointing away

from the body ▪ Lateral: away from the midline of the body; on the

outer side of

▪ Intermediate: between a more medial and a more

lateral structure

▪ Proximal: close to the origin of the body part or

point of attachment to a limb to the body trunk

▪ Distal: farther from the origin of a body part or the

point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Directional Terms

▪ Directional terms

▪ Explain location of one body structure in relation to

Another

▪ Superior (cranial or cephalic): toward the head or

upper part of a structure or the body; above

▪ Inferior (caudal): away from the head or toward

the lower part of a structure or the body; below

▪ Anterior (ventral): toward or at the front of the ▪ Superficial (external): toward or at the body

body; in front of surface

▪ Posterior (dorsal): toward or at the backside of ▪ Deep (internal): away from the body surface;

the body; behind more internal

 Oral: The mouth.

Orbital: The bony eye socket (orbit).

Patellar: The anterior knee (kneecap) region.

Pelvic: The pelvis region.

Pubic: The genital region.

Sternal: The region of the breastbone.

Tarsal: The ankle.

Thoracic: The chest.

REGIONSL TERM Umbilical: The navel.

▪ Anterior (ventral) body landmarks Posterior (dorsal) body landmarks

Anterior
Posterior
Abdominal: The anterior body trunk region inferior to
Cephalic: The head.
the ribs.
Femoral: The thigh.
Antecubital: The anterior surface of the elbow.
Fibular: The side of the leg.
Axillary: The armpit.
Gluteal: The buttocks, or rump.
Brachial: The arm.
Lumbar: The area of the back between the ribs and
Buccal: The cheek. hips;the loin.
Carpal: The wrist. Occipital: The posterior aspect of the head or base of
Cervical: The neck region. the skull.
Coxal: The hip. Popliteal: The back of the knee.
Deltoid: The roundness of the shoulder caused by Sacral: The area between the hips.
The underlying deltoid muscle. Scapular: The scapula or shoulder blade area.
Digital: The fingers or toes. Sural: The calf or posterior surface of the leg.
Femoral: The thigh. Vertebral: The area of the spinal column.
Fibular: The side of the leg. Body Orientation
Inguinal: The groin.

Mammary: The breast.

Manus: The hand.

Nasal: The nose

Body Planes and Sections ▪ Dorsal body cavity has two subdivisions

▪ Sections are cuts along imaginary lines known as 1. Cranial cavity

Planes ▪ Three types of planes or sections exist as right ▪ Houses the brain

angles to one another ▪ Protected by the skull

▪ A sagittal section divides the body (or organ) into 2. Spinal cavity

left and right parts ▪ Houses the spinal cord

▪ A median, or midsagittal, section divides the body ▪ Protected by the vertebrae

(or organ) into equal left and right parts ▪ Ventral body cavity has two subdivisions

▪ A frontal, or coronal, section divides the body (or separated by the diaphragm

organ) into anterior and posterior parts 1. Thoracic cavity

▪ A transverse, or cross, section divides the body 2. Abdominopelvic cavity

(or organ) into superior and inferior parts

▪ Two internal body cavities ▪ Thoracic cavity

▪ Dorsal ▪ Ventral ▪ Cavity superior to the diaphragm
▪ Body cavities provide varying degrees of ▪ Houses heart, lungs, and other organs
protection to organs within them ▪ Mediastinum, the central region, houses heart,

trachea, and other organs

▪ Protected by the rib cage

▪ Abdominopelvic cavity

▪ Cavity inferior to the diaphragm

▪ Superior abdominal cavity contains the stomach, liver,

and other organs

▪ Protected only by trunk muscles

▪ Inferior pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs,

bladder, and rectum

▪ Protected somewhat by bony pelvis

▪ No physical structure separates abdominal from pelvic

Cavities
▪ Abdominopelvic cavity subdivisions

▪ Four quadrants

▪ Nine regions

Umbilical region: The centermost region,

which includes the umbilicus
Epigastric region: Immediately superior to
the umbilical region; overlies most of the
stomach.
Hypogastric (pubic) region: Immediately
inferior to the umbilical region;
encompasses the pubic area.
Iliac (inguinal) regions: Lateral to the
hypogastric region and overlying the
superior parts of the hip bones.
Lumbar regions: Between the ribs and the
flaring portions of the hip bones; lateral to
the umbilical region.
Hypochondriac regions: Flanking the
epigastric region laterally and overlying the
lower ribs.

Other body cavities include:

▪ Oral and digestive cavities
▪ Nasal cavity
▪ Orbital cavities
▪ Middle ear cavities