Basic TermsBasic Terms

AnatomyAnatomy

Studies shape and structure of the bodyStudies shape and structure of the body

Gross anatomy: large structures studied Gross anatomy: large structures studied looking at their shape, external features, looking at their shape, external features, and main divisionsand main divisions

Microscopic anatomy: use of microscopes Microscopic anatomy: use of microscopes to study minute details to study minute details – Cytology: cellsCytology: cells– Histology: tissues and organsHistology: tissues and organs

Developmental anatomy: growth and Developmental anatomy: growth and developmentdevelopment– Embryology: from fertilized egg to birthEmbryology: from fertilized egg to birth

Comparative anatomy: comparing human Comparative anatomy: comparing human anatomy to other organismsanatomy to other organisms

Systemic anatomy: study of the anatomy Systemic anatomy: study of the anatomy of a specific organ systemof a specific organ system– Dermatology: integumentary systemDermatology: integumentary system– Endocrinology: endocrine systemEndocrinology: endocrine system– Neurology: nervous systemNeurology: nervous system

PhysiologyPhysiology

Studies the function of each body part and Studies the function of each body part and how the functions coordinate to form a how the functions coordinate to form a complete organismcomplete organism

TerminologyTerminology

Anatomical Anatomical position: position: standing erect, standing erect, with face with face forward, arms at forward, arms at the side and the side and palms forwardpalms forward

PlanesPlanesimaginary anatomical dividing linesimaginary anatomical dividing lines

Sagittal plane: Sagittal plane: divides the body divides the body into right and left into right and left partsparts– Midsagittal Midsagittal

(median) plane: (median) plane: divided the body divided the body in to equal right in to equal right and left halvesand left halves

Frontal (coronal) Frontal (coronal) plane: divides the plane: divides the body into a front body into a front (anterior) and (anterior) and back (posterior) back (posterior) sectionsection

Transverse Transverse plane: horizontal plane: horizontal plane that plane that divides the body divides the body into a top into a top (superior) and a (superior) and a bottom (inferior) bottom (inferior) section.section.

Directional/Positional TermsDirectional/Positional Terms

Anterior & PosteriorAnterior & Posterior

– Anterior: towards Anterior: towards the front of the the front of the body or structurebody or structure

– Posterior: Posterior: towards the back towards the back of the body or of the body or structurestructure

Cranial and Cranial and caudalcaudal

–Cranial: Cranial: towards the towards the headhead

–Caudal: Caudal: towards the towards the tailtail

Superior and Superior and inferiorinferior

–Superior: Superior: towards the towards the upper part or upper part or “above another”“above another”

– Inferior: Inferior: towards the towards the lower or “below lower or “below anotheranother

Medial and LateralMedial and Lateral

–Medial: toward Medial: toward the midline or the the midline or the median planemedian plane

–Lateral: away Lateral: away from the midline from the midline or median planeor median plane

–Bilateral: having Bilateral: having or pertaining to or pertaining to two sidestwo sides

Proximal and distalProximal and distal

–Proximal: toward the point of Proximal: toward the point of attachment of the body – closer to attachment of the body – closer to the root of the structurethe root of the structure

–Distal: away from the point of Distal: away from the point of attachment to the body – away from attachment to the body – away from the root of the structurethe root of the structure

** These terms are only used when talking about ** These terms are only used when talking about extremities (arms, legs, fingers and toes)extremities (arms, legs, fingers and toes)

Superficial and DeepSuperficial and Deep–Superficial: on or near the Superficial: on or near the

surface of the bodysurface of the body

–Deep: away from the surface Deep: away from the surface of the bodyof the body

Terms of Basic AnatomyTerms of Basic AnatomyLigament: band of tough Ligament: band of tough connective tissue that connective tissue that connects bone to boneconnects bone to bone

Tendon: fibrous cord of Tendon: fibrous cord of connective tissue connective tissue cotinuous with the fibers cotinuous with the fibers of a muscle; connects of a muscle; connects muscle to bonemuscle to bone

Joint: the junction or union Joint: the junction or union between two or more bonesbetween two or more bones

Cartilage: the gristle or Cartilage: the gristle or white elastic substance white elastic substance attached to articular bone attached to articular bone surfaces and forming parts surfaces and forming parts of the skeletonof the skeleton

Bone: the hard, tough, Bone: the hard, tough, elastic material that forms elastic material that forms the skeleton; composed the skeleton; composed primarily of calcium saltsprimarily of calcium salts

Muscle: type of tissue containing Muscle: type of tissue containing fibers that contract; when working fibers that contract; when working together they can move a body part together they can move a body part or organor organ

Fascia: band of sheath of connective Fascia: band of sheath of connective tissue that encases muscle or tendontissue that encases muscle or tendon

Bursa: a sack or sack-like cavity in Bursa: a sack or sack-like cavity in the vicinity of a joint which acts to the vicinity of a joint which acts to reduce the friction around a jointreduce the friction around a joint

Extremity: a limb or appendageExtremity: a limb or appendage

Terms of MovementTerms of Movement

Range of Motion: the amount Range of Motion: the amount of normal movement of a of normal movement of a particular jointparticular joint

Abduction: to Abduction: to move away move away from the center from the center or midlineor midline

Adduction: to Adduction: to move towards move towards the center or the center or midlinemidline

Flexion: to Flexion: to decrease the decrease the angle of a joint: angle of a joint: to bend a limbto bend a limb

Extension: to Extension: to increase the increase the angle of a joint: angle of a joint: to straighten a to straighten a limblimb

Rotation: to move Rotation: to move a limb around a a limb around a joint axisjoint axis

Circumduction: to Circumduction: to move a joint in a move a joint in a circle circle

Plantarflexion: to point the Plantarflexion: to point the toes/foot down – stand on your toes/foot down – stand on your tip toestip toes

Dorsiflexion: to pull the toes/foot Dorsiflexion: to pull the toes/foot upup

Inversion: to rotate the foot so that Inversion: to rotate the foot so that the sole of the foot is facing inthe sole of the foot is facing in

Eversion: to rotate the foot so that Eversion: to rotate the foot so that the sole of the foot is facing outthe sole of the foot is facing out

Pronation: to rotate the Pronation: to rotate the palms/forearm so that they are palms/forearm so that they are facing posteriorly (when body is in facing posteriorly (when body is in anatomical position)anatomical position)

Supination: to rotate the Supination: to rotate the palms/forearm so that they are palms/forearm so that they are facing anteriorly (when the body facing anteriorly (when the body is in anatomical positionis in anatomical position

Valgus: force Valgus: force directed directed towards the towards the midline of the midline of the bodybody

Varus: force Varus: force directed away directed away from the midline from the midline of the bodyof the body

Injury termsInjury terms

Acute and ChronicAcute and Chronic–Acute: having a sudden onset Acute: having a sudden onset

and short duration (sprained and short duration (sprained ankle)ankle)

–Chronic: having a gradual onset Chronic: having a gradual onset and long duration (shin splints)and long duration (shin splints)

–Sprain: injury to a ligamentSprain: injury to a ligament

–Strain: injury to a muscle or Strain: injury to a muscle or tendontendon

Sign: objective evidence of Sign: objective evidence of an abnormal situation in the an abnormal situation in the bodybody

Symptom: subjective Symptom: subjective evidence of an abnormal evidence of an abnormal situation in the bodysituation in the body