Overview
This lecture introduces anatomical directional terms, essential for accurately describing locations and relationships of body parts using standardized reference points and planes.
Anatomic Position & Reference Planes
- The anatomic position is standing upright, feet flat, facing forward, arms at sides, and palms facing forward.
- Reference planes are imaginary lines used to describe body sections: transverse (top/bottom), frontal (front/back), and sagittal (left/right).
- The sagittal plane divides the body into equal left and right halves and establishes the midline.
Directional Terms Related to the Midline and Body Parts
- Medial: towards the midline of the body.
- Lateral: away from the midline or toward the side.
- Bilateral: present on both sides of the body.
- Superior: towards the head.
- Inferior: away from the head.
- Anterior: towards the front of the body.
- Posterior: towards the back of the body.
- Superficial: towards the surface/skin.
- Deep: away from the skin, deeper inside the body.
Directional Terms for Limbs
- Proximal: closer to the point of attachment or origin (e.g., the shoulder/hip).
- Distal: farther from the point of attachment.
- Plantar: bottom of the foot.
- Dorsal (foot): top of the foot.
- Palmar: palm side of the hand.
- Dorsal (hand): back side of the hand.
Practical Applications
- Combine multiple directional terms for precise locations (e.g., "superior laterally" means upward and towards the side).
- Use these terms regularly to describe anatomical locations and relationships.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Anatomic Position — Standardized pose used as a reference in anatomy.
- Transverse Plane — Divides body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections.
- Frontal Plane — Divides body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.
- Sagittal Plane — Divides body into left and right portions.
- Medial — Towards the midline of the body.
- Lateral — Away from the midline.
- Bilateral — On both sides of the body.
- Superior — Towards the head.
- Inferior — Away from the head.
- Anterior — Front side of the body.
- Posterior — Back side of the body.
- Superficial — Toward or near the surface.
- Deep — Further from the surface.
- Proximal — Closer to the body’s trunk or point of attachment.
- Distal — Farther from the trunk or point of attachment.
- Plantar — Bottom surface of the foot.
- Dorsal (hand/foot) — Back/top surface of the hand/foot.
- Palmar — Palm side of the hand.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize anatomical directional terms and their definitions.
- Practice describing body part locations using the correct directional terms.
- Refer to previous materials on body regions for further study.