Anatomy & Physiology

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

*the head is superior to the abdomen

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

*the navel is inferior to the chin

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of

*the breastbone is anterior to the spine

toward or at the back of the body; behind

*the heart is posterior to the breastbone

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

*the heart is medial to the arm

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

*the arms are lateral to the chest

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

*the collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder

closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

*the elbow is proximal to the wrist

farther from the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

*the knee is distal to the thigh

toward or at the body surface

*the skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles

away from the body surface; more internal

*the lungs are deep to the skin

Body erect with feet slightly apart, palms face forward w/thumbs pointing away from body.

directional terms allow us to explain where one body structure is in relation to another.

regional terms are used to designate specific areas within these major body divisions

Axial part - makes up the main axis; includes head, neck, and trunk

Appendicular part - consists of the appendages, or limbs, which are attached to the body's axis

• Anterior/Ventral:
• Frontal - face
• Orbital - eye
• Nasal - nose
• Oral - mouth
• Mental - chin

• Posterior/Dorsal:
• Otic - ear
• Occipital - back of head

• Sternal - sternum, center chest
• Axillary - armpit
• Mammary - pectoral/breast

umbilical

• Acromial - shoulder
• Brachial - upper arm
• Antecubital - inner elbow (anterior)
• Olecranal - outer elbow (posterior)
• Antebrachial - forearm
• Carpal - wrist

• Pollex - bridge below thumb
• Metacarpal - posterior palm
• Palmar - palm
• Digital - fingers

• Coxal - hip
• Femoral - thigh
• Patellar - anterior knee
• Popliteal - posterior knee
• Crural - leg
• Sural - calf
• Fibular or peroneal - lower leg

• Tarsal - ankle
• Calcaneal - heel
• Metatarsal - top feet
• Digital - toes
• Plantar - bottom foot
• Hallux -

• Scapular - shoulder blade
• Vertebral - spine
• Lumbar - lower back
• Sacral - tail bone
• Gluteal - butt
• Perineal - between anus and external genitalia

protects the fragile nervous system organs

• has 2 subdivisions:
• a) cranial cavity - in skull, encases brain
• b) vertebral, or spinal cavity - runs within bony vertebral column, encloses spinal cord

• the more anterior and larger of the closed body cavities..... contains thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
• -- houses internal organs collectively called the viscera

• 2 subdivisions:
• a) thoracic cavity - contains heart and lungs, surrounded by ribs and muscles of chest
•     ---pleural cavities (lungs)
•     ---superior mediastinum
•     ---pericardial cavity (below lungs)
• b) abdominopelvic cavity - contains digestive viscera
•     ---inferior part= pelvic cavity (contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum)

on same side

on opposite sides