The Language of Anatomy

• Special terminology is used to prevent misunderstanding

• Exact terms are used for:

• Position

• Direction

• Regions

• Structures

Anatomical Terminology

• Superior – above

• Inferior – below

• Anterior – front

• Posterior – behind

• Medial – toward the middle

• Lateral – toward the side

Ipsilateral – referring to two or more anatomical parts being on the same side

of the body

Contralateral – referring to anatomical parts being on different sides of the body.

Anatomical Terminology

• Proximal – describes a part that is closer

• Distal – describes a part that is farther away

• Superficial – situated near the surface

• Peripheral – situated outward or near the surface

• Deep – more internal

Body Landmarks

• Anterior

Body Landmarks

• Posterior

Body Sections

• Sagittal – refers to a lengthwise cut that divides the body into right and left portions.

• Transverse (or horizontal) – refers to a cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

• Coronal (or Medial) – refers to a section that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Body Planes

Body Cavities

Quadrants

Abdominal Regions

• Epigastric – the upper middles portion

• Left and right hypochondriac – on each side of the epigastric

• Left and right lumbar – one each side of the umbilical

• Hypogastric – the lower middles portion

• Left and right iliac (inguinal) – each side of the hypogastric.

Thoracic and Abdominopelvic Membranes

•Pleura/Pleural: membrane(s), watery film

separation

•Parietal: any membrane attached to the wall of a

body cavity. Surrounds organs within the cavity

•Visceral: membranes that covers internal organs

•Pericardial membrane(s)

•Visceral pericardium

•Parietal pericardium

•Peritoneal membrane

•Pareital peritoneum

•Visceral peritoneum

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity:

– cranial cavity (brain) and spinal canal (spinal cord & nerves)

Body Cavities

• Ventral Cavity: divided by diaphragm – Upper thoracic cavity

• Pleural cavities enclose lungs

• Pericardial cavity surrounds heart

• Cavities are lined by serous membranes

– Lower abdominopelvic cavity

• Viscera of abdominal: stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, most of large

• Viscera of pelvic: urinary bladder, portions of large intestine, internal female and male reproductive structures

Medical and Applied Sciences

• Cardiology – study of the heart and vascular system

• Dermatology – study of the skin

• Endocrinology - study of hormones , hormone-secreting glands, and associated diseases.

• Epidemiology – study of the factors that contribute to determining the distribution and frequency of health-related conditions.

Medical and Applied Sciences

• Gastroenterology – study of the stomach and intestines

• Geriatrics – Branch of medicine dealing with older individuals and their medical problems

• Gynecology – study of the female reproductive system

• Hematology – study of blood and blood deseases.

Medical and Applied Sciences

• Histology – study of the structure and function of tissues (microscopic anatomy)

• Immunology – study of the body’s resistance to disease

• Neonatology – study of newborns and the treatment of their disorders

• Nephrology – study of the structure and function of the kidneys

Medical and Applied Sciences

• Neurology – study of the brain and nervous system

• Obstetrics – branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and childbirth

• Oncology – study of cancer

• Ophthalmology – study of the eye and eye disease

• Otolaryngology – study of the ear, throat, larynx, and their diseases

Medical and Applied Sciences

• Pathology – study of structural and functional changes within the body associated with disease

• Pediatrics – branch of medicine dealing with children and their diseases

• Pharmacology – study of drugs and their uses in the treatment of disease

• Podiatry – study of the care and treatment of the feet

Medical and Applied Sciences

• Psychiatry – branch of medicine dealing with the mind and its disorders

• Radiology – Study of X rays and radioactive substances

• Toxicology – study of poisonous substances and their effects on physiology

• Urology – branch of medicine dealing with the urinary and male reproductive systems and their diseases

Performance Objectives – Did we learn this?

• Define Anatomy and Physiology.

• Describe the relationship between structure and function.

• Define basic directional terms.

• Describe the anatomical position.

• Describe the major cavities of the body.

• Describe the levels of organization of the body and give major characteristics of each level.

Performance Objectives continued

• List the organ systems.

• Define homeostasis and explain why it is important.

• Describe the negative-feedback system and the positive-feedback system and their relationship to homeostasis.

• Name and describe the three major planes of the body or organ.