FERNANDO J. PERALDO, M.D.

, MPH, DPSAi
Objectives:
Define anatomy and its divisions.
Define the anatomical position of the body.
Explain the significance of anatomical position of the
body in the science of medicine.
Define anatomical planes of the body.
Explain why directional terms are relative and must
be used in reference to body structures or a body in
anatomical position.
Explain how anatomical terms are derived.
 HUMAN ANATOMY

Anatomy is the study of the structure of human body parts

and describe their relationships to one another.

Divisions/Disciplines of Anatomy
 Gross anatomy or Macroscopic (organs and systems)
 Embryology or Developmental Anatomy
 Histology or Microscopic (tissues and cells)
 Living anatomy (radiological anatomy, surface
anatomy, applied and clinical surgical anatomy)
 Comparative Anatomy :compares structure of human
beings with other creatures especially vertebrates.
Divisions of Anatomy
Gross Anatomy Microscopic Anatomy
Structures that can be Structures that cannot
seen with the eye be seen with the eye
Muscles, bones, various Need to use a
organs microscope
Cytology = study of cells
Histology = study of
tissues
Levels of Structural Complexity
What are you made of ?
HUMAN ANATOMY
Divisions:
Regional Anatomy:
 Upper Limb
 Lower Limb
 Thorax
 Abdomen and Pelvis
 Head and Neck.
HUMAN ANATOMY

Divisions:
Systemic Anatomy:
 Integumentary
 Skeletal
 Articular
 Muscular
 Nervous
 Circulatory
 Cardiovascular
 Lymphoid
HUMAN ANATOMY

Divisions:
Systemic Anatomy:
 Digestive
 Respiratory
 Urinary
 Reproductive
 Endocrine
The Language of Anatomy
A language used to describe the relative position of
body parts; needed for communication

Special terminology is used to prevent

misunderstanding
The Language of Anatomy
Exact terms are used for:
Position
Direction
Regions
Structures
ANATOMIC TERMINOLOGY

 ANATOMICAL POSITION

 ANATOMICAL PLANES

 ANATOMICAL ADJECTIVES

 ANATOMICAL MOVEMENTS
ANATOMIC POSITION
All structures are described and named with
reference to the anatomical position.
In the anatomical position, the body is
 Standing erect
 The eyes look straight to the front
 Face and palms of the hands directed forwards
 The upper limbs hang by the sides of trunk
 The lower limbs are parallel with the feet
together and the toes pointing forwards
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES
Are arranged as pairs of opposites
Anterior (Ventral ) &
Posterior (Dorsal )
 Anterior: Towards
the front of the body

 Posterior: Towards
the back of the body
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES
Are arranged as pairs of opposites

Superior( Cranial ) &

Inferior (Caudal )
 Superior: Towards
the head

 Inferior: Towards
the feet
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Proximal & Distal
Proximal: Nearer the
trunk
Distal: Away from the
trunk
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Medial & Lateral
 Medial: Towards
the midline of the
body

 Lateral: Away from

the midline of the
body
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Superficial & Deep
 Superficial: Nearer
the surface of the
body

 Profundus (Deep):
Away from the
surface of the body
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Central & Peripheral
 Central: Towards
the central axis of the
body

 Peripheral: Away
from the central axis
of the body
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Ipsilateral & Contralateral

 Ipsilateral: Of the same side

 Contralateral: Of the Opposite side

ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Flexor Surface & Extensor Surface

 Flexor Surface: The anterior surface in the upper

limb and the posterior surface in the lower limb

 Extensor surface: The posterior surface in the upper

limb and the anterior surface in the lower limb
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Palmar & Dorsal
Surfaces of Hand
 Palmar Surface:
Anterior surface
 Dorsal Surface:
Posterior surface
ANATOMIC ADJECTIVES CONT.
Plantar & Dorsal Surfaces of Foot
 Plantar Surface: Lower surface
 Dorsal Surface: Upper surface
Orientation and Directional Terms

Table 1.1
Orientation and Directional Term

Table 1.1 (cont)

Body Landmarks
Anterior

Figure 1.5a
Body Landmarks

Posterior

Figure 1.5b
 ANATOMIC PLANES
Median Sagittal ( Midsagittal ) Plane: A vertical
plane passing between the anterior midline and
posterior midline, dividing the body into right & left
halves.

Parasagittal ( Paramedian ) Plane: Any plane

parallel to median sagittal plane
ANATOMIC PLANES
coronal
vertical,
perpendicular to
median
Horizontal (transverse)
parallel to floor,
perpendicular to
median, coronal
 Body Planes
Median sagittal plane –
vertical plane passing through
the center of the body
dividing it into equal left and
right halves

Coronal Plane – imaginary

vertical planes at right angles
to the median plane

Transverse plane – plane at

right angles to both the
median and coronal planes;
divides the body into superior
and inferior portions

Figure 1.6
Body Cavities
- internal chambers holding
vital organs
- protect organs and allow
them to change in shape
and size

Two Body Cavities:

Dorsal
cranial cavity
spinal cavity
Ventral
thoracic cavity
abdominopelvic
cavity
Figure 1.7
Body Cavities
Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Figure 1.8a
Body Quadrants
Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)
Abdominopelvic Regions

Figure 1.8b
Abdominopelvic Major Organs

Figure 1.8c
Serous Membranes of the Ventral
Body Cavity
Membrane – a soft, thin, pliable layer of
tissue.
Visceral – covers a vital organ
Parietal – lines a body cavity
 Serous Membranes of the
Ventral Body Cavity
Organ Membrane Cavity Name
Name
Heart Pericardium Pericardial

Lungs Pleura Pleural

Abdominal Peritoneum Peritoneal

organs & systems