Language of Anatomy Anatomical Position and Directional TermsTo describe body parts and position accurately, we need an initial reference point and must indicate directionThe anatomical reference point is a standard body position called the Anatomical PositionAnatomical Position: position in which the body is:Erect with feet only slightly apartPalms face forwardThumbs point away from the body

REGION TERMS

REGION TERMS

Language of Anatomy Anatomical Position and Directional TermsIn anatomical position, right and left refer to the right and left sides of the person viewedNOT those of the observer In anatomy, anatomical position is always assumed, regardless of the actual position of the body

Language of Anatomy Anatomical Position and Directional TermsDirectional terms are used to explain exactly where one body part is in relation to anotherExample:The ears are located on each side of the head to the right and left of the noseUsing anatomical terminology, this condenses to,:The ears are lateral to the noseSaves words and is less ambiguousAnatomical meanings are VERY PRECISE

Orientation and Directional Terms

Orientation and Directional Terms

Orientation and Directional Terms

Regional TermsThere are two fundamental divisions of the body:Axial region:Makes up the main axis of our bodyIncludes the head, neck, and trunkAppendicular region:Consists of the appendages, or limbsAttached to the bodys axisConsists of the upper and lower limbsRegional terms are used to designate specific areas within the major body divisionsThe common term for each of these body regions is provided (in parentheses)

REGION TERMS

REGION TERMS

Body Planes and SectionsFor anatomical studies, the body is often sectioned (cut) along a flat surface called a planeBody planes are flat surfaces that lie at right angles to each otherSagittal plane: a vertical plane that separates the body into right and left partsMedian, or midsagittal plane: lies exactly along the bodys midlineParasagittal plane (para=near): lies offset from the midlineFrontal plane: a vertical plane that separates the body into anterior and posterior partsTransverse, or horizontal, plane: a plane that runs horizontally from right to left, and divides the body into superior and inferior parts

BODY PLANES

Body Planes and SectionsTransverse, or horizontal, plane: a plane that runs horizontally from right to left, and divides the body into superior and inferior partsMany different transverse planes exist, at every possible level from head to footTransverse section, or cross section, is a cut made along the transverse planeOblique sections are cuts made at angles between the horizontal and vertical planesThe ability to interpret sections made through the body, especially transverse sections, is important in the clinical sciencesNew medical imaging devices produce sectional images rather than three-dimensional images

BODY PLANES

Abdominopelvic RegionsBecause the abdominopelvic cavity is large and contains several organs, it helps to divide it into smaller areas for studyCavity divided into 9 regionsUmbilical region: centermost region deep to and surrounding the umbilicus (navel)Epigastric region: located superior to the umbilical region (epi=upon, above; gastri=belly)Hypogastric (pubic) region: located inferior to the umbilical region (hypo=below)

ABDOMINAL REGION

ABDOMINAL REGIONS

Abdominopelvic RegionsRight and left iliac, or inguinal regions: located lateral to the hypogastric region (iliac=superior part of the hip bone)(inguinal=groin: between thigh and trunk)Right and left lumbar regions: lie lateral to the umbilical region (lumbus=loin: between ribs and pelvis)Right and left hypochondriac regions: flank the epigastric region laterally (chondro=cartilage)

ABDOMINAL REGION

ABDOMINAL REGIONS

Quadrants Medical personnel usually use a simpler scheme to localize the abdominopelvic cavity organsIn this scheme, one transverse and one median sagittal plane pass through the umbilicus at right anglesThe resulting quadrants are named according to their positions from the subjects point of view:Right upper quadrant (RUQ)Left upper quadrant (LUQ)Right lower quadrant (RLQ)Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

ABDOMINAL REGION

Abdominal Regions and QuadrantsAbdominal regions divide the abdomen into nine regions

Abdominal QuadrantsAbdominal quadrants divide the abdomen into four quadrants Right upper and left upper quadrantsRight lower and left lower quadrants

Medical ImagingX-ray (radiograph)CAT: Ccomputerized axial tomographyXenon CTDSR: Dynamic spatial reconstructionDSA: Digital subtraction angiographyPET: Positron emission tomographySonography (ultrasound imaging)MRI: Magnetic resonance imagingMRS: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy

IMAGING