Overview
This lecture introduces the standardized directional terms used in anatomy to describe the locations and relationships of different body parts from the anatomical position.
Anatomical Position
- The anatomical position is standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward, and feet facing forward.
- This position is always used as the point of reference for directional terms.
Directional Terms: Superior and Inferior
- Superior means towards the head or above another body part.
- Inferior means towards the feet or below another body part.
- Example: The heart is superior to the stomach; the stomach is inferior to the heart.
Directional Terms: Anterior/Posterior and Ventral/Dorsal
- Anterior means towards the front of the body; posterior means towards the back.
- Ventral is another term for anterior; dorsal is another term for posterior.
- Example: The sternum is anterior to the heart; the heart is posterior to the sternum.
Directional Terms: Medial and Lateral
- Medial means towards the midline of the body; lateral means away from the midline.
- Example: The heart is medial to the lungs; the lungs are lateral to the heart.
Directional Terms: Proximal and Distal
- Proximal means closer to the axial body (head, neck, trunk); distal means further from the axial body.
- Example: The elbow is proximal to the hand; the hand is distal to the elbow.
Directional Terms: Superficial and Deep
- Superficial means closer to the surface of the body; deep means further away from the surface.
- Example: The sternum is superficial to the heart; the heart is deep to the sternum.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Anatomical Position — Standard reference posture for the body.
- Superior — Towards the head or above.
- Inferior — Towards the feet or below.
- Anterior (Ventral) — Towards the front.
- Posterior (Dorsal) — Towards the back.
- Medial — Towards the midline.
- Lateral — Away from the midline.
- Proximal — Closer to the trunk (axial body).
- Distal — Further from the trunk.
- Superficial — Nearer to the body surface.
- Deep — Further from the body surface.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize directional terms and their meanings.
- Practice identifying anatomical relationships using these terms.