I. ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY
A. Anatomy, Gross anatomy, Physiology
Study of Structures and their relationships, Macroscopic Anatomy, Study of Functions
B. Levels of organization
1. Chemical/Molecular
Examples – water, proteins
2. Cellular; Cytology
Smallest living units, example – muscle cell
3. Tissue; Histology
Cells combining for a common function, example – muscle tissue
4. Organ
Tissues combining for a common function, example – heart
5. System
Organs combining for a common function, example – Cardiovascular System
6. Organism
Combination of Systems – Human Being
C. Anatomical Position
Standard for illustrations and descriptions, standing erect with arms down by sides and palms facing forward.
D. Directional Terms
1. Lateral/Medial
Away from body axis/Towards body axis
2. Proximal/Distal
Toward point of origin/Away from point of origin
3. Anterior-Ventral/Posterior-Dorsal
Front-Belly side/Back-Back side
4. Superior-Cranial/Inferior-Caudal
Above-Toward head/Below-Toward tail
5. Superficial-External/Deep-Internal
6. Palmer/Plantar
Palm side/Sole side
7. Ipsilateral, Contralateral, Bilateral
Same side, Opposite side, Both sides
E. Planes and Sections
1. Sagittal, Midsagittal
Separates right and left portions, Equal right & left
2. Transverse(cross)
Separates superior and inferior portions
3. Frontal(coronal)
Separates anterior and posterior portions
F. Cavities
1. Dorsal
-Cranial
Cavity containing brain
–Spinal
Cavity containing spinal cord
2. Ventral [viscera]
-Thoracic
Cavity containing heart and lungs, diaphragm inferior boundary
–Abdominal
Cavity containing liver, stomach, diaphragm superior boundary
–Pelvic
Cavity containing urinary and reproductive organs surrounded by pelvic bones