Anatomical Terminology

Or the basics for everything you need to know to survive through

the course

Anatomy

• Anatomy– Gross anatomy– Microanatomy

• Histology

– Systemic anatomy

– Regional anatomy

Physiology

• A study (ology) of how our body systems work and the mechanisms they use.

Directional Terminology

• What is the problem with calling everything right or left, or up or down?

• LOOK AT ROOT WORDS

• Superior

• Inferior

• Anterior

• Posterior

Directional Terminology cont.

• Medial

• Lateral

• Superficial

• Deep

• Proximal

• Distal

Anatomical Position

Body Planes

• Sagittal Planes

• Frontal Planes

• Horizontal Planes

Sagittal Planes

• Midsagittal – divides the body into two equal sections (left and right)– Bilateral body plan

• Parasagittal – divides the body into two unequal parts

Frontal and Horizontal• Frontal – divides body

into front and back

• Horizontal – divides the body into top and bottom– Sawing a lady in half for a

magic trick– Also called transverse

plane– Makes a cross section of

the body

Levels of Organization

• Chemical Level – atoms, ions, and molecules make up the foundation in the form of protiens, fats, carbs, and nucleic acids

• Cellular level – basic structures and functional units of the body (smallest living parts)

Levels of Organization Cont.

• Tissue Level – groups of similar cells

• Organ Level – two or more different types of tissues which perform a general function

• System Level – groups of organs which function to perform a common task

• Organism – many systems functioning dependently to perform a task

Bilateral Body Plan

• Regions (regional anatomy)– Head, neck, trunk, upper and lower

appendages

• Trunk– Thorax, abdomen, back, and pelvis

Body Cavities

• Two Major Cavities– Dorsal cavity– Ventral cavity

• Thoracic, abdominopelvic

• Dorsal cavity – contains the cranial cavity and the vertebral canal ( holds spine)

Ventral Cavity

• Divided into three different cavities– Thoracic – holds lungs, heart– Abdominopelvic – holds everything below

(intestines, liver, stomach)

• Separated by a thin sheet of muscle

Pleural and Pericardial Cavities

• Pleural – small spaces between membranes surrounding the lungs

• Pericardial – small space between the membranes of the heartOutlined by the mediastinum

Abdominopelvic cavity

• Abdominal cavity– Below the diaphragm above the iliac crests

• Pelvic cavity– Below the iliac crests to the attachment of the

lower appendages