The human body is roughly apportionable into five big regions: head, neck, torso, upper extremity and lower extremity.
The anatomical planes are four imaginary flat surfaces or planes that pass through the body in the anatomical position. They are the median plane, sagittal planes, coronal (frontal) planes and horizontal (transverse) planes (figure 2). Anatomical descriptions are also based on these planes.
The nostrils are most visible on the inferior aspect of the nose. These terms are always used when referring to directions on the head. For the postcranial skeleton, we may also use cranial and caudal, which orient along the axis of the spine. The nose is on the anterior side of the head.
The brain is superior to the spinal cord in people, but in quadrupeds the brain is anterior (forward in motion) to the spinal cord. "Dorsal" means "in the direction away from the ridge of the human back or its equivalent in other animals.
Why are directional terms so important? Because they allow us to explain where one body structure is in relation to another. Directional terms allow us to explain where one body structure is in relation to another. The breastbone is ventral to the spine.
"Superior" and "inferior" are adjectives from human anatomy, respectively meaning towards to top of the head or the soles of the feet when standing. The brain is superior to the spinal cord in people, but in quadrupeds the brain is anterior (forward in motion) to the spinal cord.
The word inferior can also be used as a noun to mean "a person who is lower in rank or status," in which case you might say to your younger brother, "You are my inferior, therefore you should take out the trash."
The coronal plane (frontal or Y-X plane) divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and front) portions. It also separates the anterior and posterior portions.
The coronal plane or frontal plane (vertical) divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and front, or posterior and anterior) portions. The transverse plane or axial plane (lateral, horizontal) divides the body into cranial and caudal (head and tail) portions.
The knee is distal/proximal to the ankle. The knee is superior/inferior to the ankle.
The transverse plane or axial plane (also called the horizontal plane or transaxial plane) is an imaginary plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.
exogenous. Definition. Pertaining to originating outside the body or an organ of the body or produced from external causes, such as a disease caused by a bacterial or viral agent foreign to the body.
Anterior means toward the front (chest side) of the body, posterior means toward the back. Medial and Lateral. Medial means toward the midline of the body, lateral means away from the midline. Ipsilateral means on the same side—the left arm is ipsilateral (on the same side) to the left leg.
In biology and medicine, the words that describe the sides of a body are posterior, anterior, dorsal and ventral [image source]: So, technically, the back side of a human would be called the dorsal side.
Dorsal. Word meaning: toward the belly. Ventural.
Medical Definition of Deep
Deep: In anatomy, away from the surface or further into the body. As opposed to superficial. The bones are deep to the skin. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry to "Anatomic Orientation Terms".12246. Anatomical terminology. A coronal plane (also known as the frontal plane) is any vertical plane that divides the body into ventral and dorsal (belly and back) sections. It is one of the three main planes of the body used to describe the location of body parts in relation to each other.axis.
Medial and lateral: Medial refers to being toward the midline of the body or the median plane, which splits the body, head-to-toe, into two halves, the left and right. Lateral is the side of the body or part of the body that is away from the middle.
Cards
| Term Muscle Fibers | Definition long slender cells that make up muscles |
|---|
| Term Origin | Definition Where the muscle begins and it is located nearest the midline of the body or on a less movable part of the skeleton. |
| Term Insertion | Definition Where the muscle ends by attaching to a bone or tendon. |
Use the word bank to fill in the missing words. All anatomical terms have a(n) reference point which is called the anatomical position. This is a(n) forward facing position where you stand up, with your arms by your side, with the palms of your hands facing forward. The hands are superior to the feet.
The Muscular System
| A | B |
|---|
| muscle origin | the place where the muscle begins (originates); end of the muscle nearest the midline of the body |
| muscle insertion | the place where the muscle ends (inserts); the more moveable end and/or portion of the muscle farthest from the midline of the body |
| rectus | straight |
Cranial: Toward the head, as opposed to caudad. Deep: Away from the exterior surface or further into the body, as opposed to superficial. Distal: Further from the beginning, as opposed to proximal.
Medical Definition of Inferior
Inferior: In anatomy, below or toward the feet. As opposed to superior. The liver is inferior to the lungs. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry to "Anatomic Orientation Terms".A fasciotomy is a surgical procedure where incisions, that is to say cuts, are made into the fascia in order to relieve tension or pressure, and a fascioplasty is the surgical repair of the fascia. A myoplasty is the surgical repair of a muscle.
Further from the midline of the body or structure. Nearer to the attachment of an extremity (limb) to the trunk or a structure; nearer to the point of origin. Distal. Farther from the attachment of an extremity (limb) to the trunk or structure; farther from the point of origin.
Anatomical Planes of the Body
| Anatomical Planes |
|---|
| Medial | Toward the midline of the body |
| Lateral | Away from the midline of the body |
| Proximal | Toward a reference point (extremity) |
| Distal | Away from a reference point (extremity) |
