AAMI Anatomy 1

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing the observer, feet are flat on the floor, upper extremities are at the sides, palms of the hand are facing anteriorly. (towards the front)

Flexion

a muscle action that decreases the angle at an articulation (joint). Bending your elbow.

Extension

a muscle action that increases the angle at an articulation (joint). Straightening or extending your forearm.

Abduction

a muscle action that moves an extremity away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

a muscle action that moves an extremity towards the midline of the body.

Pericardial cavity

a small fluid filled space surrounding the heart.

Sagittal Plane

a vertical plan that runs through the body and separates (divides) it into right and left portions. This plane doesn't make the distinction between equal or unequal.

Midsagittal Plane

a vertical plane that runs through the body, but directly through the midline or center, and divides it into equal portions.

Forearm

antebrachium or antebrachial - the portion of the upper limb from the elbow to the wrist.

Pleural cavity

are fluid filled spaces situated between the visceral and parietal pleurae of the lungs.

Upper extremity or limb

attaches to the trunk. Arm and forearm.

Lower Extremity or limb

attaches to the trunk. Thigh, Leg, and Groin.

Thorax

better known as the chest.

Microscopic Anatomy

deals with the study of structures of the body that can be seen only with the use of a microscope. These structures are so small that they are best suited using a microscope.

Abdominopelvic cavity

extends from the diaphragm to the groin. It is encircled by the abdominal wall and bones and muscles of the pelvis. It is divided into 2 portions even though no wall separates them.

Mediastinum cavity

is a broad, median partition. It is a space that is located between the lungs and extends from the sternum to the vertebral column and from the neck to the diaphragm. It contains the heart, esophagus, and trachea.

Spinal cavity

is formed by bones of the vertebral column and contains the spinal cord and the medulla oblongata of the brain (part of the brain stem).

Cranial cavity

is formed by the cranial bones and contains the brain.

Pelvic cavity

is the inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is bounded by bone. Organs in this cavity include the urinary bladder, sigmoid colon, and internal male and female reproductive organs.

Proximal

literally means nearest. Something that is located toward or closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body, or closer to the point of origin.

Peripheral

located at, or pertaining to, or outer surface of the body or body part; occurring away from the center.

Posterior cavity

located near the dorsal or posterior surface of the body. It has 2 subdivisions. Cranial and Spinal cavities.

Anterior or ventral cavity

located on the anterior surface of the torso. It is divided into an upper thoracic cavity (chest cavity) and lower abdominopelvic cavities by a dome shaped muscle know as the diaphragm or phrenic.

Anterior or ventral

means toward or closer to the front of the body.

Posterior or dorsal

means towards or closer to the back of the body.

Superficial

pertaining to something that is near or on the surface of the body.

External

pertaining to the exterior; the opposite of internal.

Visceral

pertains to organs; or the covering of an organ.

Lateral

refers to a location away from the median plane or towards the sides of the body (or body part).

Inferior or caudal

refers to a structure that is located toward the tail end or the inferior end of the body; away from the head.

Prone Position

refers to a subject lying face down or with the anterior surface down.

Supine Position

refers to a subject lying face up or with the anterior surface facing up.

Deep

refers to something that is located away from the surface of the body or towards the inside of the body.

Medial

refers to something which is located toward the midline (center of the body), or median place of the body.

Parietal

relates to or forming the outer wall of a body cavity.

Horizontal; Transverse or Cross-Sectional Plane

runs parallel to the ground and divides the body into a superior (upper or top) or inferior (lower of bottom) portions.

Central

situated at of pertaining to a center or central point.

Physiology or physiological anatomy

studies of functions of living things or how the body works.

Neck or Cervical Region

supports the head and attaches it to the trunk of the body.

Pronation

the act of rotating your forearm so that the palm of your hand faces inferiorly or posteriorly.

Supination

the act of rotating your forearm so that the palm of your hand faces superiorly or anteriorly.

Face

the anterior aspect of the head which includes the eyes, mouth, chin, forehead, and cheeks.

Abdomen

the area between the diaphragm (breathing muscle) and pelvis.

Groin

the area on the front surface of the body marked by a crease on each side, where the trunk attaches.

Pelvis

the basin like structure formed by the two hip bones, the sacrum and coccyx.

Thigh

the portion of the lower extremity from the buttocks to the knee.

Leg

the portion of the lower limb between the knee and ankle.

Arm

the portion of the upper extremity from the shoulder to the elbow.

Skull or cranium

the portion that encloses and protects the brain.

Trunk or torso

the region of the body to which the upper and lower extremities are attached.

Pathological anatomy or morbid anatomy

the study of anatomy in regards to the structural changes, both microscopically and macroscopicaly, in the body which occurs as a result of disease.

Gross Anatomy or Macro-scopic anatomy

the study of structures that can be studied with the unaided eye, without the use of a microscope.

Cytology

the study of the structure of individual cells.

Histology

the study of tissues in the body which can only be effectively studied with the aid of the microscope.

Abdominal cavity

the superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity which contains the following organs: stomach, small intestine, part of the large intestine, liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and the adrenal glands.

Thoracic Cavity

the superior portion of the ventral cavity and is surrounded by ribs to protect the vital organs. It contains 3 additional cavaties.

Superior, cephalad, cephalic, cranial

these 4 terms refer to a structure that is located toward the head or upper part of the body away from the feet.

Head

this is further subdivided into the skull and face.

Parasagittal Plane

this vertical plane wouldnt pass through the midline by rather of to one side, thus dividing the structure into unequal parts.

Distal

to be distant; therefore it refers to something that is further away from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body or farther from the point of origin.

Abdominal and Pelvic

what 2 cavities make up the Abdominopelvic Cavity?

Mediastinum, Pleural, and Pericardial

what 3 cavities are in the Thoracic Cavity?

Thoracic and Abdominopelvic

what two cavities make up the Anterior Cavity?

Systemic Anatomy

where the body is studied by individual systems such as digestion, circulatory, skeletal, or respiratory systems.

Abdominal

which cavity contains part of the large intestines?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the adrenal (suprarenal) glands?

Mediastinum

which cavity contains the esophagus?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the gall bladder?

Mediastinum

which cavity contains the heart?

Pelvic

which cavity contains the internal male and female reproductive organs?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the kidneys?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the liver?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the pancreas?

Pelvic

which cavity contains the sigmoid colon?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the small intestines?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the spleen?

Abdominal

which cavity contains the stomach?

Mediastinum

which cavity contains the trachea?

Pelvic

which cavity contains the urinary bladder?

Frontal or Coronal Plane

will divide the body or organ into an anterior (front) or posterior (back) portions.

Regional Anatomy

will study some particular body region as a seperate unit, such as the head, chest, and abdominal areas, etc.

Internal

within the body; pertaining to the inside of the body, opposite of external.