Overview
This lecture provides anatomical terminology and common prefixes essential for identifying body regions and anatomical structures.
Anatomical Regions & Landmarks
- Acromial refers to the shoulder area.
- Abdominal describes the abdomen region.
- Antebrachial is the forearm.
- Antecubital means elbow bends (front of elbow).
- Axillary denotes the armpit.
- Brachial indicates the arm.
- Buccal means cheek.
- Calcaneal refers to the heel.
- Carpal describes the wrist.
- Cephalic is the head.
- Cervical refers to the neck.
- Coxal is the hip.
- Cranial means skull.
- Crural refers to the shin.
- Digital indicates fingers and toes.
- Dorsal is the back.
- Dorsum is the back of the hand or top of the foot.
- Facial refers to face bones.
- Femoral indicates thighs.
- Frontal refers to the forehead.
- Fibular is the lateral lower leg.
- Gluteal is the buttocks.
- Hallux is the big toe.
- Inguinal is the groin area.
- Labia refers to lips.
- Lumbar is the lower back (last 5 vertebrae).
- Mammary refers to the breast.
- Manual means hand.
- Mental is the chin.
- Nasal means nose.
- Occipital is the back of the head.
- Olecranal refers to the elbow.
- Optic, orbital, or ocular means eye.
- Oral is mouth.
- Otic is ear.
- Palmar refers to the palm of the hand.
- Patellar is the kneecap.
- Pedal means foot.
- Pelvic refers to the hip bone region.
- Perineal is the area between the thighs.
- Plantar is the sole of the foot.
- Pollex is the thumb.
- Popliteal is the back of the knee.
- Pubic is the front of the hip.
- Sacral is the area in the back between hips.
- Scapular means shoulder blades.
- Sternal refers to the breastbone.
- Sural is the calf.
- Tarsal is the ankle.
- Temporal is the side of the head.
- Thoracic is the chest region.
- Umbilical is the belly button area.
- Vertebral refers to the spine or back bone.
Common Anatomical Prefixes
- Epi- means above.
- Hypo- means below or lower than.
- Sub- means below.
- Peri- means around.
- Endo- means more inside/interior.
- Exo- means more outside/exterior.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Acromial — shoulder
- Antecubital — front of elbow
- Brachial — arm
- Carpal — wrist
- Cephalic — head
- Cervical — neck
- Coxal — hip
- Crural — shin
- Femoral — thigh
- Hallux — big toe
- Manual — hand
- Palmar — palm of the hand
- Patellar — kneecap
- Pedal — foot
- Plantar — sole of the foot
- Pollex — thumb
- Popliteal — back of the knee
- Sacral — area between hips
- Sural — calf
- Tarsal — ankle
- Vertebral — spinal column
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize all anatomical region terms and prefixes for upcoming quizzes or exams.
- Practice labeling body parts using the terms listed.