ANATOMY TERMINOLOGY

A. Study of anatomy can be subdivided according to the size of the parts studied.

1. Microscopic anatomy, or histology - uses the microscope to magnify tissues and cells of the body

2. Macroscopic anatomy, or gross anatomy - uses the unaided eye to study tissues and organs of the body

B. Histology is studied systemically (i.e. digestive system, nervous system)

C. Gross anatomy, although it can be viewed systemically, is generally studied regionally, because that is the way dissections are most effectively conducted

1. Upper extremity
2. Back
3. Head and neck
4. Thorax
5. Abdomen
6. Pelvis and perineum
7. Lower extremity

II. Anatomical Terminology

A. Basis for terminology

1. Generally, terms will be informative or descriptive

2. Although only one term is official (nomina anatomica), often there is more than one term for a structure

3. Avoid the use of eponyms - names of person’s i.e.

· Poupart's ligament = inguinal ligament

· Cooper's ligaments = suspensory ligaments of breast

· Hunter's canal = adductor canal

B. Terms of position and direction

1. Anatomical position - body erect; head, eyes, toes directed forward; upper limbs at the side of the body, with palms directed forward

2. Planes - imaginary sections through the body in various directions

· median - vertically directed plane from front to back, through the sternum and vertebral spines; it splits the body into right and left halves

· frontal, or coronal - vertical planes which intersect the median plane at right angles; they divide the body into front and back parts

· horizontal, or transverse - planes passing through the body at right angles to both the median and coronal planes; they divide the body into upper and lower portions

· Sagittal - vertical planes passing through the body parallel to the median plane, but not passing through the midline; they divide the body into right and left portions

3. Direction

· medial - nearer or towards the median plane

· lateral - further from the median plane

· anterior or ventral - nearer to the front of the body

· posterior or dorsal - nearer to the back of the body

· superior or cephalic - nearer to the top of the head

· inferior or caudal - nearer to the bottom of the feet

· superficial - towards the surface of an organ or the body

· deep - towards the center of an organ or the body

· proximal - nearer the point of origin or attachment

· distal - further from the point of origin or attachment

Category: Anatomy Notes