Introduction to Anatomy Anatomical Position The anatomical

Introduction to Anatomy

Anatomical Position The anatomical position is standing upright, legs and feet together, arms at sides with palms facing forward, feet flat on the floor.

Directional Terms In anatomy it is very important to be able to tell others about the spatial relationships that exist between different anatomical structures.

Directional Terms Superior (above) / Inferior (below) ▪ The heart is superior to the diaphragm ▪ The diaphragm is inferior to the heart Anterior (in front) / Posterior (behind) ▪ The trachea is anterior to the esophagus ▪ The esophagus is posterior to the trachea Medial (closer to midline) / Lateral (further from midline) ▪ The radius is lateral to the ulna. ▪ The ulna is medial to the radius.

Directional Terms Proximal (closer to origin) / Distal (further from origin) ▪ The stomach is proximal to the colon. ▪ The metacarpals are distal to the carpals Intermediate (between related structures) ▪ The 3 metacarpal is intermediate to metacarpals 2 and 4. Deep / Superficial ▪ The epidermis is superficial to the dermis. ▪ The hypodermis is deep to the dermis. Contralateral (opposite side of body) / Ipsilateral (same side of the body) ▪ The liver is contralateral to the spleen ▪ The gall bladder is ipsilateral to the liver.

Anatomical Planes Frontal (coronal) plane Divides the body in anterior and posterior sections Sagittal plane Divides the body into unequal left and right sections Horizontal (transverse) plane Divides the body into superior and inferior sections

Anatomical Planes

Basic Anatomical Regions