Human Anatomy

The study of the structures that make up the human body and how those structures relate to each other.

The structures of the human body are well-designed for efficient movement.

It is used in all anatomical description, specifying the locations of specific parts of the body relative to other body parts.

Away from the midline of the body.

Toward the midline.

E.g., Your ears are lateral to your cheeks and your cheeks are medial to your ears.

Further from some specified region.

Closer to some specified region.

E.g., With respect to the trunk, the hands are distal to the arms and the arms are proximal to the hands.

In front of or front of your body.

Behind or back of your body.

E.g., Your lips are anterior to your teeth and your teeth are posterior to your lips.

Above

Below

E.g., Your lips are superior to your chin and your chin is inferior to your lips

A person lying on their back.

A person lying face down.

Planes of the body

Imaginary flat surfaces that divide the human body.

They are used to:
–divide the body for further identification of particular areas
–describe different movements or actions