anatomical terminology Flashcards
anatomical terminology
Basis of medical language, essential to describe accurately and communicate clearly
anatomical position-basic anatomical position
Standing upright, head and gaze directed forwards(anteriorly), with upper limbs located by the sides and palms facing forward. The lower limbs close together with feet parallel
anatomical planes
Mid-sagittal(median) plane - vertically cutting left and right
Frontal (coronal) plane - vertically cutting front and back
Transverse(axial) plane - horizontally
relations and comparisons
Anterior refers to those structures towards the front of the body(ventral)
Posterior refers to structures towards the back of the body(dorsal)
Structures located close to the median plane are referred to as medial
Structures further always are known as lateral
Structures located directly in midline are median
Structures located near the trunk or point of origin are defined as proximal
Structures further from the trunk or point of origin are known as distal
superior=towards head
superficial=towards skin
movement of body
Flexion-moving a joint so angle between bones decrease(anterior direction)
Extension-involves straightening a joint/increasing angle between bones (posterior direction)
Adduction-moving towards median plane
Abduction-moving away from median plane
Rotational movements that occur in the forearm and hand
Pronation-rotation of the radius medially so that the distal end crosses over the anterior aspect of the ulna, TF palm of hand faces posteriorly
Supination-radius rotates laterally so that the radius and ulna are parallel to one another TF palm faces superiorly
anatomical terminology “brevis” and “plexus”
Brevis-comes from Latin word for brief- indicating muscle is shorter than counterpart-usually “X” longus
Plexus-comes from Latin word for pleated, interwoven. The brachial plexus is a complex of interwoven nerves which supplies the muscles and skin of the upper limb
