Basic Anatomical Terminologies.

  Introduction to the Human Body: Basic Anatomical Terminologies.

Introduction:

  • Human beings are the most complex of all the living organisms.

  • Human body contains many organs which work in an organized manner for an efficient working of the human body.

  • The study of human body is divided broadly in two divisions,

    • Anatomy

    • Physiology.

  • Human Anatomy is the branch of science that deals with the study of structures of different body parts.

  • Human Physiology is the branch of science that deals with the study of functions of different body parts.

Human Anatomy: Study of Structure.

Human Physiology: Study Of Functions.

Basic Anatomical Terminologies:

  • The universal terminologies are used to denote the body parts they are described as follows,

Body Positions:

  • Anatomical positions universally describe the regions and spatial relationships of the human body.

  • In anatomical position the body is “Upright” (The feet are placed on the floor flat and directed forward, the hands are at the sides with the palms facing forward as shown in the following figure.

  • Supine Position: 

    • Body lying flat on back, knees straight and hands at side as shown in the figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Supine Position

  • Prone Position:

    • Body lying flat on stomach, knees straight and hands at side as shown in the figure 1.2.

Figure 1.2: Prone Position

Directional Terminology used in Anatomy.

  • These terminologies are used to describe the position of one body part relative to another one.


Sr No.

Directional Term

Definition

Example

1

Superior

Towards the head or upper part of the body.

Pharynx is superior to larynx.

2

Inferior

Away from the head or lower part of the body.

Small intestine is inferior to stomach

3

Anterior

Nearer to or at the front of the body

Sternum is anterior to the heart.

4

Posterior

Nearer to or at the back of the body

Oesophagus is posterior to trachea.

5

Medial

Nearer to the midline of the body.

Ulna is medial to the radius.

6

Lateral

Nearer from the midline of the body.

The arms are lateral to the chest.

7

Intermediate

Between the two structures.

Transverse colon is intermediate to ascending colon and descending colon.

8

Proximal

situated nearer to the point of attachment.

Humerus is proximal to the radius.

9

Distal

situated away from the point of attachment.

Phalanges are distal to the carpels.

10

Superior

Toward or on the surface of the body.

Ribs are superficial to lungs.

11

Deep / Inferior

Away from the surface of the body.

Ribs are deep to the skin.


Planes.

  • Body planes are imaginary flat surfaces that pass through the body.

  • Sagittal, frontal and transverse planes are at right angle to one another.

  • The anatomical planes are as follows,

    • Sagittal plane.

    • Frontal plane.

    • Transverse plane.

    • Oblique plane.

  • Sagittal Plane:

    • It is a vertical plane that  divides the body into left and right sections.

  • Midsagittal (median) plane :

    • divides the body into equal halves at midline. 

  • Parasagittal plane :

    • Does not pass through midline, divides the body into unequal halves. 

  • Frontal (coronal) plane – 

    • divides the body or an organ into anterior and posterior sections.

  • Transverse (horizontal) plane:

    • divides the body into superior and inferior sections.  

  • Oblique Plane:

    • Pawsses through a body or an organ at an angle between transverse plane and sagittal plane or between a transverse plane and a frontal plane.

Sections:

  • A section is a cut made along the plane of the body.

  • There are three types of the sections,

  • Transverse Cut:

    • Section along the transverse plane, divides into anterior and posterior views.

  • Frontal Section:

    • Section along the frontal plane, divides into dorsal and ventral views.

  • Midsagittal Section:

    • Section along the midsagittal plane divides into right and left part.

Commonly asked questions.

  1. Explain different directional planes in the human body.

  2. Define with examples the following anatomical terminologies,

    1. Anterior.

    2. Posterior.

    3. Superior.

    4. Intermediate.

    5. Dorsal.

    6. Proximal.

    7. Distal.

    8. Medial.

    9. Lateral.

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