Anatomy & Physiology

Kyle B. Limchiu
BS PSYCH - III
• Anatomy and physiology are two of the most basic terms and areas of study
in the life sciences. Anatomy refers to the internal and external structures of
the body and their physical relationships, whereas physiology refers to the
study of the functions of those structures.
Directional terms describe the positions of structures relative to other
structures or locations in the body.
• 1.Superior or cranial - toward the head end of the body; upper (example, the hand is part of the superior
extremity)
• 2. Inferior or caudal - away from the head; lower (example, the foot is part of the inferior extremity).
• 3. Anterior or ventral - front (example, the kneecap is located on the anterior side of the leg).
• 4. Posterior or dorsal - back (example, the shoulder blades are located on the posterior side of the body).
• 5. Medial - toward the midline of the body (example, the middle toe is located at the medial side of the foot).
• 6. Lateral - away from the midline of the body (example, the little toe is located at the lateral side of the foot).
• 7. Proximal - toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part (example, the proximal end of the femur
joins with the pelvic bone).
• 8. Distal - away from or farthest from the trunk or the point or origin of a part (example, the hand is located at the
distal end of the forearm).
Anatomical Terms - It is a form of scientific terminology used by
anatomists, zoologists, and health professionals such as doctors.
 Anatomical Planes - A plane is a 2D slice through 3D space, which can be
thought of as a glass sheet. The anatomical planes are different lines used to
divide the human body. It allows for an accurate description of a location, and
also allows the reader to understand what a diagram or picture is trying to show.
 Body Cavity - Any space or compartment, or potential space, in an animal
body. Cavities accommodate organs and other structures; cavities as potential
spaces contain fluid.
1. Dorsal body cavity–the cranial cavity and the spinal cavity in combination.

2. Cranial cavity–the space occupied by the brain, enclosed by the skull bones.

3. Spinal cavity–the space occupied by the spinal cord enclosed by the vertebrae column making up the
backbone. The spinal cavity is continuous with the cranial cavity.

4. Ventral body cavity–the thoracic cavity, the abdominal cavity, and the pelvic cavity in combination.

5. Thoracic cavity–the space occupied by the ventral internal organs superior to the diaphragm.

6. Abdominopelvic cavity – the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity in combination.

7. Abdominal cavity–the space occupied by the ventral internal organs inferior to the diaphragm and
superior to the pelvic cavity.

8. Pelvic cavity–the space occupied by the ventral internal organs that are bordered by the bones of the
pelvic girdle.
Body Regions - Divide the body into various anatomic districts
which can be projected by the shape of planes onto the body
surface. They simplify the rough topographical classification of
anatomical structures related to the entirety of the organism.

Body Areas - The body surface area is the measured or calculated

surface area of a human body.