Anatomical Position and Body Planes

Introduction

• Purpose: Discuss anatomical position and body planes, and provide memory tricks.
• Next Video: Will cover anatomical directional terms.

Anatomical Position

• Definition: Standard body orientation for anatomical reference.
• Position Details:
  • Standing upright
  • Head and eyes forward
  • Upper limbs at sides, palms forward, thumbs out
  • Feet together, flat on ground, facing forward
• Right and Left: Refer to the patient's perspective, not the observer's.

Body Planes and Sections

• Body Planes: Imaginary lines dividing the body.
  • Vertical or Horizontal: Divide body into sections.
• Body Sections: Result from cuts along planes.

Major Body Planes

Sagittal Plane

• Definition: Vertical plane dividing body into right and left.
• Mid-sagittal Plane: Divides body into equal right and left portions.
• Parasagittal Plane: Divides body into unequal right and left portions.
• Memory Aid: "Sagittal" and "side view" both start with "S".
• Examples:
  • Sagittal suture in skull.

Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane)

• Definition: Vertical plane dividing body into front and back.
• Memory Aid: "Frontal plane" gives front view.
• Examples:
  • Coronal suture in skull.

Transverse Plane (Axial or Horizontal Plane)

• Definition: Horizontal plane dividing body into top and bottom.
• Memory Aid: "Transverse" and "T" for upper body.
• Examples:
  • X-axis runs horizontally.

Minor Body Planes

Longitudinal Plane

• Definition: Any plane perpendicular to transverse plane.
• Includes: Sagittal and coronal planes.
• Memory Aid: Longitudinal lines on a globe.

Oblique Plane

• Definition: Any plane not vertical or horizontal.
• Memory Aid: "Oblique" and "odd" both start with "O".

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By understanding these concepts, you can have a clear framework when discussing and studying human anatomy. Watch future videos for more related topics.