NEW ERA UNIVERSITY

College of Nursing

CONAPL 18 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY LABORATORY

First Semester, AY 2020-2021

LABORATORY EXERCISE 1: ANATOMICAL LANGUAGE

Name of Student: ________________________ Score: ________

Section: ______________________ Group No. _______________

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this exercise, you should be able to:

1 Describe the anatomical position.

2 Identify major body regions on models or charts.
3 Use anatomical terms correctly.
4 Use directional terms correctly.
5 Identify body planes and sections on models, charts, or
preserved specimens.
6 Appreciate the anatomical complexity of the human body.
7 Recognize the importance of understanding different
terminologies in the study of anatomy and physiology
course.

Introduction
Students often complain that they are not just learning anatomy
but are learning a new language. This is quite true since most
anatomical terms are derived from Latin and Greek word roots. In this
exercise, you will learn anatomical terms for body structures that will
be used throughout the course and will help you communicate
effectively with other health care professionals.

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 I. Anatomical Position
The anatomical position is the reference position anatomists and
people in medical fields use to describe the location of body parts
or regions. In the anatomical position, the body is erect and facing
forward; the arms are straight and at the sides of the body with the
palms facing for- ward; the legs are straight with the feet facing
forward and flat.

Activity 1:
1. Assume a position with part of your body in the anatomical

position and part of it in a different position

2. Have your laboratory partner/ anyone at home with you determine
what changes you need to make in order for you to be in the
anatomical position.

II. Body Regions

The main body regions are described in Table 1. It is important that

you learn the correct boundaries for each region. Two common
misconceptions are that the arm is the area between the shoulder
and wrist and that the leg includes the thigh. Actually, the arm is
located between the shoulder and elbow, and the forearm is located
from the elbow to wrist. The thigh is located between the groin and
knee, and the leg is located between the knee and ankle.

Activity 2:

1 Label Figure 1.1 with the appropriate body regions. Use the terms
from Table 1 as your reference.
2 Identify body regions on models or anatomical charts. Use terms

from Table 1.

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 Table 1.1 Body Regions.
BODY DESCRIPTION
REGION

Head

Skull Bony portion of head; encloses and protects the brain and gives shape to
the face
Face Anterior portion of head not normally covered by scalp

Neck Body area between head and trunk

Trunk Central body area to which head and limbs are attached

Chest Area of trunk between neck and abdomen; contains heart and lungs;
diaphragm forms boundary
between chest and abdomen

Abdomen Area of trunk between chest and pelvis; contains digestive organs; hip
bones form lower boundary
of abdomen

Pelvis Area of trunk below abdomen; contains internal reproductive organs and
urinary bladder
Back Posterior portion of trunk between neck and buttocks

Upper Limb

Shoulder Curved area where upper limb attaches to upper border of trunk

Armpit Under-arm area where upper limb attaches to trunk

Arm Area of upper limb between shoulder and elbow

Forearm Area of upper limb between elbow and wrist

Wrist Portion of hand that connects hand to forearm

Hand Includes wrist and fingers

Lower Limb

Buttocks Rounded area on posterior surface where thigh attaches to trunk

Groin Area on anterior surface marked by a crease where lower limb attaches to the
pelvis
Thigh Area of lower limb above the knee

Leg Area of lower limb between knee and ankle

Ankle Portion of foot that connects foot to leg

Foot Includes ankle and toes

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 Figure 1.1. Body Regions Terms

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1 6

7
12
8
UPPER
LIMB
2
9

13

10 LOWER
LIMB

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Anterior View Posterior View

1 6 11

2 7 12

3 8 13

4 9 14

5 10

III. Anatomical Terms

Anatomical terms describe body regions, specific body areas,

and landmarks. Most of these words are derived from Latin or Greek
and are often part of the names of muscles, bones, nerves, and
blood vessels. Learning these terms at this time will help you
throughout the course. Many anatomical terms have one or more
word roots with a prefix and/or a suffix added. For example, in the
word antecubital, ante- is a prefix meaning before or in front of; the
word root cubit- means elbow; -al is a suffix meaning pertaining to.
Table 1.2 contains anatomical terms with four different suffixes all of
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 which mean pertaining to.These suffixes are: -al, -ic, -ar, and -ary.
When suffixes like these are added to word roots they form
adjectives,
Activity 3:

1 Label Figure 1.2 with the appropriate anatomical terms for each
body region or area. Refer to Table 1.2.
2 Use anatomical terms to identify the specific body regions or areas
on models or anatomical charts.
3 Refer to https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/body/terminology.html to
review how word roots, suffixes, and prefixes are combined to
form nouns and adjectives.
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1 18
19
2 20
32
21
3 22
4
23
24
5 33
Definition of Terms 25

6 26 34

7 35
References 27

8
Books 28
41

Online Resources 29
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10 12
36

13
30 37

14
38
39
15

16
31 40

(b) Posterior view 42

Anterior View Posterior View

Figure 1.2 Anatomical Terms

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 (a) Anterior View (b) Posterior View

1 12 23 32

2 13 24 33

3 14 25 34

4 15 26 35

5 16 27 36

6 17 28 37

7 18 29 38

8 19 30 39

9 20 31 40

10 21 41

11 22 42

Ta bl e 1 . 2. A n a t o m i ca l Terms
TERM DEFINITION TERM DEFINITION

AXIAL Pertaining to the central part APPENDICULAR Pertaining to the extremities

of the body, the head or limbs
and trunk
Cephalic (se-FAL-ik) Pertaining to the head Upper Limb (Appendage)
• Cranial Pertaining to the portion of • Acromial (a-KROM-ee-al) Pertaining to the highest
the skull surrounding the point of the shoulder
brain • Axillary (AX-il-ary) Pertaining to the armpit
• Facial Pertaining to the face • Brachial (BRAY-key-ul) Pertaining to the arm
• Frontal Pertaining to the forehead • Antecubital (an-teh- Pertaining to the anterior
• Orbital Pertaining to the eye KYOO-bi-tul) (front) surface of the
• Otic (OH-tik) Pertaining to the ear elbow
• Nasal Pertaining to the nose • Olecranal (oh-LEK-ra-nul) Pertaining to the posterior
• Buccal (BUCK-al) Pertaining to the cheek (back) surface of the
elbow
• Oral Pertaining to the mouth
• Antebrachial Pertaining to the forearm
• Mental Pertaining to the chin
Pertaining to the back of • Carpal Pertaining to the wrist
• Occipital (ox-SIP-i-tal)
head • Manual Pertaining to the hand
Cervical Pertaining to the neck • Palmar Pertaining to the palm of
Pertaining to the chest the hand
Thoracic
Pertaining to the breast bone • Digital Pertaining to the digits
• Sternal (fingers)
• Mammary Pertaining to the breast
Lower Limb (Appendage)
Abdominal Pertaining to the abdomen
• Inguinal (ING-won-ul) Pertaining to the groin
• Umbilical (um-BIL-ih-cal) Pertaining to the navel where the thigh attaches
• Coxal (COX-al) Pertaining to the hip to the pelvis
Pelvic Pertaining to the pelvis • Gluteal (GLUE-tee-ul) Pertaining to the buttocks
• Pubic (PYOO-bik) Pertaining to the genital area • Femoral (FEM-or-ul) Pertaining to the thigh
Dorsal Pertaining to the back • Patellar (pa-TEL-ur) Pertaining to the anterior
• Scapular Pertaining to the shoulder (front) surface of the knee
blade region • Popliteal (pop-lih-TEE-ul) Pertaining to the posterior
• Vertebral (ver-TEE-brul) Pertaining to the spinal (back) surface of the knee
column • Crural (CROO-rul) Pertaining to the anterior
• Lumbar Pertaining to the area of the (front) surface of the leg
back between the lowest Pertaining to the lateral side
• Fibular (FIB-you-lur)
rib and buttocks. or peroneal (peh- of the leg
RONE- ee-ul)
• Sural (SIR-ul) Pertaining to the posterior
(back) surface of the leg
• Tarsal (TAR-sul) Pertaining to the ankle
• Pedal Pertaining to the foot
• Plantar Pertaining to the sole of foot
• Calcaneal (kal-KANE-ee- Pertaining to the heel

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 ul) Pertaining to the digits
• Digital (toes)

IV. Directional Terms

Directional terms are used to describe the location of body

structures relative to other structures. An example of a directional
term is inferior, which means below. It would be correct to say that
the neck is inferior to the head but in- correct to say that the neck is
inferior. The directional terms are listed in Table 1.3, along with an
example of how they are used. Note that opposite terms are paired.
The directional terms proximal and distal apply to the point of
attachment of a limb to the torso or the point of origin of a structure
such as a blood vessel or nerve. These terms refer to the location of
structures relative to the point of attachment or point of origin,
whether they are closer (proximal) or farther away (distal).

Activity 4:

1 Complete the sentences using the appropriate directional term from

Table 1.3. Refer to the anatomical terms in Table 2 and Appendix A
as needed.

a. The sternum is to the vertebrae.

b. The orbit is to the oral cavity.

c. The heart is to the lungs.

d. The carpus is to the brachium.

e. The right lung and right kidney are .

f. The skin is to the bones.

2 Label Figure 1.3 with the directional terms from the bulleted list
by writing the term in the space provided for each number.

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 Table 1.3 Directional Terms
DIRECTIONAL TERM DEFINITION EXAMPLE OF USE

Superior Above The head is superior to the neck.

Inferior Below The neck is inferior to the head.
Anterior (Ventral) Closer to front of body The lips are anterior to the teeth.
Posterior (Dorsal) Closer to back of body The teeth are posterior to the lips.
Medial Closer to midline of body The nose is medial to the eyes.
Lateral Farther from midline of body The eyes are lateral to the nose.
Intermediate Between two structures The elbow is intermediate between
the shoulder and wrist.
Ipsilateral On same side of body The right arm and right leg are ipsilateral.
Contralateral On opposite sides of body The right arm and left arm are contralateral.
Proximal Nearer to point of attachment of The elbow is proximal to the wrist.
limb to trunk
Distal Farther from point of attachment The wrist is distal to the elbow.
of limb to trunk
Superficial Closer to surface of body The skin is superficial to the
Deep Farther from surface of body muscles. The muscles are deep to
the skin.

2 3

Figure 1.3. Directional Terms

• anterior or ventral 1

• distal 2

• inferior 3

• posterior or dorsal 4

• proximal 5

• superior 6

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 V. Body Planes and Sections
Planes are flat surfaces that divide the body or organs in order
to expose internal structures (Figure 1.4). The ex- posed surfaces
produced by planes are called sections. Sagittal (sagitta = arrow)
planes pass vertically through the body or organs and divide them
into right and left sections (sagittal sections). If a plane passes
vertically through the midline and di- vides the body into equal right
and left halves, the plane is a midsagittal plane, but if a plane divides
the body into unequal right and left portions, it is a parasagittal
plane. A frontal or coronal plane passes vertically through the body
or organs and produces anterior and posterior sections (frontal
sections). A transverse plane passes horizontally through the body
and produces superior and inferior sections (transverse sections or
cross-sections). Oblique planes pass through the body at an angle
forming oblique sections. We often look at sections of individual
organs, such as blood vessels, intestines, or long bones. Sections
that are produced by a plane running along the long axis of a long
narrow structure are called longitudinal sections. Sections that are
produced by a plane running perpendicular to the long axis are
called cross-sections. Because blood vessels and intestines twist
and bend, one body plane may produce longitudinal sections, cross-
sections, and oblique sections of these structures.

CLINICAL NOTE: Transverse sections observed with computed

tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) are
called axial sections

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Activity 5:

1. Label the planes in Figures 1.4(a) and the sections in Figure

1.4(b) with the terms in the accompanying bulleted list by writing
the term in the space provided for each number.
2. Observe sagittal, frontal, and transverse sections using an
apple.
a. Working in a group, draw a face on the apple.
b. Cut sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes through the
apple to make sagittal, frontal, and transverse sections.
c. Observe the appearance of the apple core in each section.
d. Keep sections together to form a whole apple to show
to your instructor.

3. Observe longitudinal sections and cross-sections using plastic

tubing.
a. Observe a demonstration provided by your instructor of a
tube cut along its longitudinal axis to produce a longitudinal
section and a tube cut perpendicular to its longitudinal axis
to produce a cross-section.
b. Obtain a 1-foot section of plastic tubing and twist it so you
can visualize one plane that would simultaneously divide
one area of the tube into a longitudinal section and another
area into a cross-section.
c. Do not cut the tube unless instructed to do so.
d. Show your instructor where a cut would produce both a
longitudinal section and a cross-section.

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 1

Figure 1.5. Body Planes & Sections Terms

(a) Right anterolateral view

6 7
(b) Longitudinal and cross-sections

longitudinal section 1.

midsagittal plane 2.

oblique plane 3.

parasagittal plane 4.
transverse plane 5.
Cross Section 6. ______________
Frontal Plane 7. _____________

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Laboratory Exercise 1 Seat Work.
A. Body Regions

Complete the following sentences.

1. The leg is to the lower limb as the is to

the upper limb.

2. The arm is to the upper limb as the is to

the lower limb.

3. The armpit is to the upper limb as the is to

the lower limb.

4. The tarsal bones are to the lower limb as the

__ bones are to the upper limb.

5. The elbow is to the upper limb as the is to

the lower limb.

6. The shoulder is to the upper limb as the is to

the lower limb.

7. True or False. The hand includes the wrist and

fingers and the foot includes the ankles and toes.

8. True or False. The bones of the face are also

part of the skull.

B. Anatomical Terms

Write the anatomical terms that the phrase or word describes. Phrases or
words referring to nouns are indicated. All other phrases refer to adjectives.

_____________________________ 1. Navel (noun)

___________________ 2. Pertaining to the area between the neck and

abdomen

___________________ 3. Pertaining to the ear

___________________ 4. Pertaining to the palm of hand

___________________ 5. Pertaining to the high point of the shoulder

___________________ 6. Pertaining to the anterior surface of the

elbow region

___________________ 7. Pertaining to the face; anterior portion of the

head

8. Pertaining to the nose

9. Pertaining to the neck

10. Pertaining to the posterior surface of the

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knee

11. Wrist (noun)

12. Pertaining to the area between the elbow

and wrist

13. Back (noun)

14. Armpit area (noun)

15. Pertaining to the mouth

16. Pertaining to the anterior surface of the knee

17. Breast bone (noun)

18. Pertaining to the hip

19. Pertaining to the side of the leg

20. Pertaining to the calf

21. Pertaining to the area between the shoulder

and elbow

22. Pertaining to the fingers or toes

23. Pertaining to the hand

24. Pertaining to the breast

25. Pertaining to the cheek

26. Pertaining to the heel

27. Pertaining to the sole of the foot

28. Pertaining to the groin where the thigh

attaches to the pelvic region

29. Pertaining to the head

30. Pertaining to the chin

31. Pertaining to the foot

32. Pertaining to the eye

33. Pertaining to the genital area

34. Pertaining to the area between the hip and

knee

35. Pertaining to the area that includes the

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 bones enclosing the brain

36. Pertaining to the forehead

37. Pertaining to the spinal column

38. Pertaining to the inferior back of the head

39. Pertaining to the anterior surface of the leg

40. Pertaining to the area of the lower back or

loin

41. Pertaining to the trunk below the abdomen

42. Pertaining to the area of the back that

contains the shoulder blades

43. Pertaining to the posterior surface of the

elbow

44. Arm (noun)

C. Directional Terms

Complete the sentences using directional terms. Use Figure 1.5 for
reference.

1. The clavicle is to the ribs.

2. The ribs are to the sternum.

3. The humerus is to the radius.

4. The ulna is to the radius.

5. The tibia is to the femur.

6. The right humerus and the right radius are .

7. The pelvic girdle is to the ribs.

8. The sternum is to the vertebral column.

9. The scapula is to the clavicle.

10. The right fibula and left fibula are .

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 D. Apply your Knowledge in Anatomical Terms, Body Regions,
Directional Terms

Anterior View Posterior View

Figure 1.6 Body regions, anatomical language, and directional

terms.

1. A 26-year-old female presented with an irregularly shaped and abnormally

pigmented mole in the right lumbar region, just lateral to the vertebrae. Indicate
on Figure 1.6 where this mole is likely to be found.

2. A 10-year-old male presented to the emergency room with a laceration on the

left forearm just distal to the antecubital region. Indicate on Figure 1.6 where
the laceration is likely to be found.

3. A 22-year-old female was identified by a tattoo on the fibular surface of the left
leg just proximal to the tarsal region. Indicate on Figure 1.6 where the tattoo is
likely to be found.

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 E. Body Planes & Sections

Figure 1.7 contains three different sections through the thorax. Indicate which
section (view a, b, or c) is a

1. Sagittal section _________________________

2. Transverse (axial) section ___________________

(a) (b) (c)

Right Liver Vertebral Left Intestine Liver Vertebra Stomach Spleen Spinal Vertebral Trachea Heart Sternum
Lung Column Kidney Cord Column

Figure 1.7. Sections through the Thorax

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