The Language of Anatomy Anatomical Position body erect

The Language of Anatomy

Anatomical Position • body erect • arms at sides of body with palms forward • thumbs pointed out/away from the body Right Left

Directional Terms

superior medial proximal superficial anterior posterior inferior lateral distal deep

Directional Terms • superior - above • inferior - below • • • proximal - closer to point of attachment • distal - farther from anterior - in front of point of attachment posterior - behind • superficial - toward medial - towards surface midline/ inner • deep – internal lateral - away from midline/ outer

Body Planes 1. sagittal - longitudinally divides into left and right midsagittal - divides into left and right 2. frontal - longitudinally divides into front and back 3. transverse - horizontally divides body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) “cross sections”

Major Body Cavities

Major Body Cavities contain internal organs 1. Dorsal cranial - brain vertebral - spinal cord

Major Body Cavities 2. Ventral thoracic - heart and lungs abdominopelvic abdominal stomach, intestines, spleen, liver pelvic - bladder and

9. 8.

Serous Membranes • walls of ventral body cavity and surfaces of organs are covered in a double layer of serous membrane • separated by a lubricating fluid which allows organs to move freely without causing friction • layers parietal - lines cavity visceral – clings to organ parietal cavity with fluid visceral

ex: pericardium - surrounds heart • • parietal visceral pericardium

ex: pleural - surrounds lungs

ex: peritoneum

Mesentery • connects parietal and visceral peritoneum • anchor organs, provides a pathway for nerves and blood vessels