Regional Anatomy/Lesson 3

Introduction to Regional Anatomy - Lesson 3

Terms of Relationship and Comparison in the Human Body

Introduction to Regional Anatomy
Lesson:	Lesson 3
Level:	Undergraduate
Suggested Prerequisites:	no prerequisites
Time Investment:	25mins
Assessment Methods:	Quiz
Portal:	Science
School:	Biology/Medicine
Division:	Anatomy
Department:	Regional Anatomy
Lesson Coordinator:	=Benjamin= (talk)

Reading:

There are many directional terms used to describe the position of one point in relation to another. These are used frequently in the anatomical lexicon and should be learned thoroughly. The following table introduces the principal directional terms and some examples of their use. If you are comfortable with the basic vocabulary you will be well equipped to understand the ideas in later courses. When reading anatomical descriptions remember that left and right are always in reference to the sides of the subject and not the observer.

Directional Terms
Term	Region or Reference	Example
Anterior	the front, can also be used as "towards the front"	The navel is on the anterior surface of the trunk. The elbow pit (antecubitis) is anterior to the elbow (olecranon).
Posterior	behind, can also be used as "towards the rear"	The buttock is on the posterior of the trunk. The shoulder blade is posterior to the rib cage.
Ventral	stomach side (in human anatomy is equivalent to anterior)	The navel is on the ventral surface of the trunk.
Dorsal	back (spine) side (in human anatomy is equivalent to posterior)	The tail bone is on the dorsal surface of the pelvis.
Cephalic	towards the head	At the cephalic border of the thigh is the pelvis
Caudal	towards the tail bone (coccyx) (generally only used for structures above the coccyx)	The hips are caudal to the chest.
Superior	above; at a higher level	The shoulder is superior to the hip.
Inferior	bellow; at a lower level	The hip is inferior to the shoulder.
Medial	towards the midline (midsaggital plane)	The medial surface of the arm faces the trunk. The pinky is medial to the thumb.
Lateral	away from the midline	The thigh joins to the lateral border of the pelvis. The thumb is lateral to the pinky.
Proximal	towards the attached base of a limb (genrally only used for upper and lower limb)	Tracing proximally from the hand brings you to the shoulder. The knee is proximal to the foot.
Distal	away from the attached base of a limb (genrally only used for upper and lower limb)	Moving distally from the hip brings you to the thigh. The foot is distal to the knee.
Superficial	towards or near to the surface	The skin is superficial to bone.
Deep (Profound)	away or distant from the surface	The liver is deep to the rib cage.
Dorsal	the back of the hand or top of the foot	The dorsal surface of the foot is hard to walk on. The knuckles are on the dorsum of the hand.
Plantar	the base or bottom (or pad) of the foot	The ball of the foot is a plantar structure. People are generally ticklish on the plantar surface of their feet. (note: although plantar refers chiefly to the foot, it is more correct to refer to the foot as well; as opposed to ...their plantar surface.)
Palmar	the front (or pad) of the hand	Clapping is achieved by bringing the palmar surfaces of the hands together. There are many interesting palmar structures in the human hand. (note: as with plantar)

Quiz:

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