Human Anatomy and Physiology: General Orientation

Anatomical Terms

Head

• Scalp: Head
• Cranial: Skull
• Facial: Face
• Frontal: Forehead
• Temporal: Temple
• Orbital/Ocular: Eye
• Optic: Ear
• Buccal: Cheek
• Nasal: Nose
• Oral: Mouth
• Mental: Chin

Neck to Abdomen

• Cervical: Neck
• Axillary: Armpits
• Brachial: Arm
• Antebrachial: Forearm
• Carpal: Wrist
• Palmer: Palm
• Pollex: Thumb
• Digital/Phalangeal: Fingers
• Sternal: Breast bone
• Thoracic: Chest
• Mammary: Breast
• Abdominal: Abdomen
• Umbilical: Navel

Anterior View: Hips Down

• Coxa: Hip
• Femoral: Thigh
• Patellar: Front of knee
• Crural: Shin
• Pedal: Foot
• Tarsal: Ankle
• Digital/Phalangeal: Toes
• Dorsum: Top of foot/back of hand
• Hallux: Great toe
• Manual: Hand
• Pelvic: Pelvis
• Inguinal: Groin
• Pubic: Pubis

Posterior View (Back)

• Occipital: Base of skull
• Acromial: Shoulder
• Scapular: Shoulder blade
• Vertebral: Spinal column
• Dorsal: Back
• Olecranal/Cubital: Back of elbow
• Lumbar: Loin
• Sacral: Between hips
• Coccygeal: Tailbone
• Gluteal: Buttock
• Perineal: Between anus and external genitalia
• Popliteal: Back of knee
• Sural: Calf
• Plantar: Sole of foot
• Calcaneal: Heel

Planes of the Body

Transverse Plane

• Divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.
• Movement: Rotational or twisting.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

• Separates anterior (front) from posterior (back).
• Movement: Side-to-side (abduction and adduction).

Sagittal (Lateral) Plane

• Divides body into left and right sides.
• Movement: Forward and backward (flexion and extension).

Anatomical Positions

Anterior vs. Posterior

• Anterior: Front-facing side.
• Posterior: Back side.

Medial vs. Lateral

• Medial: Closer to midline.
• Lateral: Further from midline.

Superior vs. Inferior

• Superior: Above or higher.
• Inferior: Below or lower.

Proximal vs. Distal

• Proximal: Closer to point of limb attachment.
• Distal: Further from point of attachment.

Additional Resources

• Check Nurse Chun Store for more resources to help with exams.

As always, questions are welcome. Use these notes to help prepare for exams on human anatomy and physiology.