ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY AND POSITIONS

 ANATOMICAL POSITION: -  

It is defined as standing up straight and facing forward with the arms to the side and the palms facing forward. The feet are PARALLEL slightly apart and the toes point forward. AS SHOWEN IN 

         BELOW IMAGE -

A body that is lying down is described as either prone or supine. 

-. Prone describes a face-down orientation, and

- supine describes a face up orientation. These terms are sometimes used in describing the position of the body during specific, 

physical examinations.

                                             

 

Regions of the Human Body 

• Anterior (or ventral) describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the

foot.

• Posterior (or dorsal) describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the

patella.

• Superior (or cranial) describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are

superior to the oris.

• Inferior (or caudal) describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the

tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column). The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.

• Lateral describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits.

• Medial describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe.

• Proximal describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The

brachium is proximal to the antebrachium.

• Distal describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus

is distal to the femur.

• Superficial describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.

• Deep describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skull.

 Directional Terms Applied to the Human Body:

                                                             BODY PLANES

• The sagittal plane divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. If this vertical plane runs

directly down the middle of the body, it is called the midsagittal or median plane. If it divides the body into unequal

right and left sides, it is called a parasagittal plane or less commonly a longitudinal section. 

• The frontal plane divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion. The

frontal plane is often referred to as a coronal plane. (“Corona” is Latin for “crown.”) 

• The transverse (or horizontal) plane divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions.

Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections. 

                                             Regions and Quadrants of the Peritoneal Cavity

                                           A.  nine abdominal regions

                                          B. four abdominal quadrants in the peritoneal cavity

Opposition of thumb

     Reposition of thumb

          Radial flexion 

Abduction of fingers 

  Lateral flexion of the neck

      Extension of shoulder

       Flexion of shoulder

     Internal rotation of arm

 

  

 Medial rotation of arm

             

        Adduction of arm 

      

        Abduction of arm 

      

      Lateral rotation of arm 

  

       Supination of forearm

        Pronation of forearm 

       Plantar flexion of foot 

 

        Abduction of leg

 

         Adduction of leg

    

      Circumduction of                      upper limb 

          Ulnar flexion

  

         Adduction of fingers

 

        Rotation of head

         Extension of neck

  

     Internal rotation of leg

       Lateral rotation of leg

          

           Flexion of knee

            Extension of knee

          

      

          Eversion of foot 

Inversion of foot