Basic anatomical terminology
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The document defines basic anatomical terminology by describing the major regions of the human body including the head, neck, trunk, and upper and lower limbs. It then defines anatomical position as standing erect facing the observer with head level and eyes forward. Finally, it provides definitions for common directional terms used in anatomy such as superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, proximal, and distal.
Basic anatomical terminology
- 2. INTRODUCTION The human body is divided into several major regions that can be identified externally. The principal regions are the head, neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs. The head consists of the skull and face. The skull encloses and protects the brain; the face is the front portion of the head that includes the eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, cheeks, and chin. The neck supports the head and attaches it to the trunk. The trunk consists of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Each upper limb attaches to the trunk and consists of the shoulder, armpit, arm (portion of the limb from the shoulder to the elbow), forearm (portion of the limb from the elbow to the wrist), wrist, and hand. Each lower limb also attaches to the trunk and consists of the buttock, thigh (portion of the limb from the buttock to the knee), leg (portion of the limb from the knee to the ankle), ankle, and foot. The groin is the area on the front surface of the body marked by a crease on each side, where the trunk attaches to the thighs. Gladys M.Pharm 2
- 3. • Anatomical position, the subject stands erect facing the observer with the head level and the eyes facing forward. The feet are flat on the floor and directed forward, and the upper limbs are at the sides with the palms facing forward. Gladys M.Pharm 3
- 4. DIRECTIONAL TERM DEFINITION Superior Toward the head, or the upper part of a structure. Inferior Away from the head, or the lower part of a structure. Anterior Nearer to or at the front of the body. Posterior Nearer to or at the back of the body. Medial Nearer to the midline. Lateral Farther from the midline. Gladys M.Pharm 4
- 5. DIRECTIONAL TERM DEFINITION Intermediate Between two structures. Ipsilateral On the same side of the body as another structure. Contralateral On the opposite side of the body from another structure. Proximal Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk; nearer to the origination of a structure. Distal Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure. Superficial Toward or on the surface of the body. Gladys M.Pharm 5