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.