ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY
A. Anatomical positions of the human body:
1. Anatomical erect position:
This position is used in describing the
anatomy of the body:
- Human body is regarded as standing
erect.
- Eyes are looking forwards.
- Upper limbs are hanging by the
sides.
- Palms are facing forwards.
- Thumbs are directed laterally.
2. Supine position:
The human body lies on its back.
3. Prone position:
The human body lies on its face.
4. Lateral decubitus position:
The human body lies on its side (right or
left).
5. Lithotomy position:
The human body lies on its back with
flexion
of hip and knee and abduction of hip
joints.
Anatomical Erect Position
B.Planes used in the study of the human anatomy:
1. Sagittal (parasagittal) plane:
It divides the body or an organ
vertically into right and left sides.
If this plane runs directly down
the middle of the body, it is
called the midsagittal or median
plane.
If it divides the body into unequal
right and left sides, it is called a
parasagittal plane or less
commonly a longitudinal section.
2. Coronal (frontal) plane:
It divides the body or an organ
vertically into an anterior part
towards the front of the body and
a posterior part towards the back.
3. Horizontal plane:
It divides the human body
horizontally into an upper (superior)
and lower (inferior) parts.
C. Human body using directional terms:
1. Anterior (Ventral): in front (nearer to the
front of the body)
2. Posterior (Dorsal): behind (nearer to the
back of the body)
3. Superior (upper or cranial): nearer to the
upper end of the body.
4. Inferior (lower or caudal): nearer to the
lower end of the body.
5. Median: exactly in the middle line or
median plane.
6. Medial: nearer to the median plane.
7. Lateral: away from the median plane.
8. Proximal: nearer to the root of the limb.
9. Distal: away from the root of the limb.
10.Superficial: towards the skin or the
surface of the body.
11.Deep: further away from skin or the
surface of the body.
12.Internal (inner): inside the organ or the
body.
13.External (outer): near or on the surface of
an organ or body.