Anatomy Lecture Notes

Anatomical Directions

• Anterior: Towards the front. Example: Breastbone is anterior to the spine.
• Posterior: Towards the back. Example: Heart is posterior to the breastbone.
• Ventral/Dorsal: Terms used for animals, synonymous with anterior/posterior.

Medial and Lateral

• Medial: Towards the midline of the body. Example: The heart is medial to the arm.
• Lateral: Away from the midline. Example: The arms are lateral to the chest.
• Intermediate: Between a more medial and a more lateral structure. Example: The armpit is intermediate between the breastbone and the shoulder.

Proximal and Distal

• Proximal: Close to the origin of the body part. Example: The elbow is proximal to the wrist.
• Distal: Further from the origin. Example: The wrist is distal to the elbow.

Superficial and Deep

• Superficial: Towards the body surface. Example: A superficial wound.
• Deep: Away from the body surface, more internal. Example: A deep cut.

Superior and Inferior

• Superior: Towards the head. Example: The eyes are superior to the mouth.
• Inferior: Away from the head. Example: The mouth is inferior to the eyes.

Anatomical Positions

• Anterior View: Feet flat, palms forward, thumbs up.
• Posterior View: Opposite of anterior.

Body Landmarks

• Anterior Landmarks:
  • Umbilical Region: Around the navel.
  • Sternal Region: Around the sternum.
  • Buccal: Inside of the mouth.
  • Patellar: Around the knee.
  • Axillary: Around the armpit.
• Posterior Landmarks:
  • Cephalic: Referring to the head.
  • Occipital: Base of the skull.
  • Deltoid: Shoulder area.
  • Femoral Region: Around the femur/upper leg.
  • Popliteal: Back of the knee.

Body Planes

• Median Plane: Divides body into left and right.
• Frontal Plane: Divides body into front and back.
• Transverse Plane: Divides body into top and bottom.

Body Cavities

• Cranial Cavity: Houses the brain.
• Thoracic Cavity: Contains lungs and heart.
• Diaphragm: Separates thoracic and abdominal cavities.
• Abdominal Cavity: Contains digestive organs.
• Pelvic Cavity: Contains reproductive organs.
• Dorsal Body Cavity: Includes cranial and spinal cavities.
• Abdominopelvic Cavity: Combined abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

• Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
• Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
• Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)
• Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Abdominopelvic Regions

• Umbilical Region: Center of abdomen.
• Epigastric Region: Above the stomach.
• Hypogastric Region: Below the stomach.
• Left Hypochondriac Region: Left of the epigastric region.
• Left Lumbar Region: Left of the umbilical region.
• Left Iliac Region: Left of the hypogastric region.
• Right Hypochondriac Region: Right of the epigastric region.
• Right Lumbar Region: Right of the umbilical region.
• Right Iliac Region: Right of the hypogastric region.

• Remember to refer to lab manuals and notes for detailed anatomical diagrams and further study on body landmarks and regions.