A Frame of Reference for Anatomical Study

Anatomy and Physiology

Mr. Knowles

Chapter 1

Liberty Senior High School

Anatomical Terms of Direction and Position

• Created for communicating the direction and relative positions of body structures.

• Most have Latin or Greek roots.• Some are eponyms

(commemorative names).

Anatomical Landmarks• Based on figures in the anatomical

position.

• Maybe lying down supine (face up) or prone (face down).

• Example: brachium (arm); brachialis muscle; brachial artery.

Anatomical Regions

• Describe general area of interest or injury.

• Example: The Quadrants of the Abdominopelvic Region

Some Anatomical Directions

• Superior and Inferior• Anterior and Posterior• Dorsal and Ventral• Proximal and Distal• Medial and Lateral

Some Anatomical Directions

• Superficial- at, near or closer to the body surface.

• Deep- farther from the body surface.

Sectional Anatomy• Describe three-dimensional structures.

• Sectional Planes:

Transverse Planes- divide the body into superior/inferior sections.

Frontal Planes - divide the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Sagittal Planes-divide the body into left and right sections. Exactly equal halves- Midsagittal Section

Transverse View

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Sagittal Plane

The Results of Sectional Anatomy!