A Frame of Reference for Anatomical Study

Anatomy and Physiology

Mr. Knowles

Chapter 1

Liberty Senior High School

Anatomical Terms of Direction and Position

• Created for communicating the direction and relative positions of body structures.

• Most have Latin or Greek roots.• Some are eponyms

(commemorative names).

Anatomical Landmarks• Based on figures in the anatomical

position.

• Maybe lying down supine (face up) or prone (face down).

• Example: brachium (arm); brachialis muscle; brachial artery.

Figure 1.7 Anatomical Landmarks

Figure 1.7a

Figure 1.7b

Anatomical Regions

• Describe general area of interest or injury.

• Example: The Quadrants of the Abdominopelvic Region

Figure 1.8 Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions

Figure 1.8a

Figure 1.8b, c

Some Anatomical Directions (Table 1.1)

• Superior and Inferior

• Superior: toward the head end; above

• Inferior: away from the head end; below

Some Anatomical Directions (Table 1.1)

• Anterior and Posterior

• Anterior: toward the front of the body; in front of

• Posterior: toward the back of the body; behind

Some Anatomical Directions (Table 1.1)

• Dorsal and Ventral

• Dorsal: toward the back of the body; behind

• Ventral: toward the belly side

Some Anatomical Directions (Table 1.1)

• Proximal and Distal

• Proximal: closer to the point of attachment

• Distal: farther from the point of attachment

Some Anatomical Directions (Table 1.1)

• Medial and Lateral

• Medial: toward the midline of the body

• Lateral: away from the midline of the body

Some Anatomical Directions (Table 1.1)

• Superficial and Deep

• Superficial- at, near or closer to the body surface.

• Deep- farther from the body surface.

Figure 1.9 Directional References

Figure 1.9

Sectional Anatomy• Describe three-dimensional structures.

• Sectional Planes:

Transverse Planes- divide the body into superior/inferior sections.

Frontal Planes - divide the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Sagittal Planes-divide the body into left and right sections. Exactly equal halves- Midsagittal Section

Figure 1.10 Planes of Section

Figure 1.10

Transverse View

Transverse Sections of Entire Human Body

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Frontal Sections of Entire Human Body

Sagittal Plane

Sagittal Sections of Entire Human Body

The Results of Sectional Anatomy!

Sagittal Plane - Organs LabeledThis animation (596K; or 350K Quicktime version) travels from the right side to the left, and back again (and again..). You can see the entire head and neck, the thorax or chest, and part of the abdomen.

                 Head and NeckBrain: The area occupied by the brain is shown in yellow. ThoraxLungs: Follow the path of the right and left lungs (in blue).Heart: Note the location of the heart (in red) with respect to the lungs. The heart resides primarily on the left side of the body. AbdomenLiver: Follow the green outline of the liver. Notice that most of the organ resides on the right side of the body. A thin region extends to the left side, running beneath the diaphragm.Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract: The stomach, small intesine and colon are indiscriminantly labeled in purple. Note how the loops of bowel travel across the abdomen.Kidneys: Notice the more lateral positioning of the kidneys. Be certain to watch for both kidneys - one on the left side, and one on the right side.

• Body cavities are internal chambers holding vital organs– Cavities protect vital organs– Cavities allow organs to change in shape and size

• Two body cavities– Dorsal body cavity includes the cranial cavity and the

spinal cavity– Ventral body cavity includes the thoracic cavity and

the abdominopelvic cavity

Body Cavities

Figure 1.12a Body Cavities

Figure 1.12a, b

• The thoracic cavity contains the heart and lungs.

• It is subdivided into the left and right pleural cavities and the mediastinum (pericardial cavity)– Each pleural cavity contains one lung lined by the

visceral and parietal pleura (serous membranes) – The mediastinum (pericardial cavity) contains the

pericardium, another serous membrane that surrounds the heart

Thoracic Cavities

• The abdominopelvic cavity is lined by the peritoneum (serous membrane)– The abdominal cavity extends from the diaphragm to

the superior margins of the pelvis• liver, stomach, spleen and most of the large intestine

Abdominopelvic Cavity

– The pelvic cavity is bordered by the pelvis, with a floor of muscle

• reproductive organs, urinary bladder and the final portion of the large intestine

Abdominopelvic Cavity