Basic Sciences

Question 1

What is topographical anatomy? What will we be doing with it?

Answer 1

It is surface anatomy. We will be using visible features on the surface of the body to use as guides to the landmarks or structures that lie beneath them.

Question 2

What is anatomical position?

Answer 2

• Anatomical position is method of reference that establishes a common orientation for everyone to view the patient as facing us, arms at side, with palms of the hands forward.

Question 3

What are the four types of planes that divide the body? What parts do they divide the body into? What is the midline? The mid axillary line? The mid clavicular line?

Answer 3

• Frontal (coronal plane). Body is divided into front and back portions
• Transverse (horizontal) plane: Body is divided into top and bottom portions
• Sagittal plane: Body is divided into left and right portions
• Midsagittal (midline) plane: Body is divided into left and right equal halves
• The midline is the imaginary line that divides the body in half.
• The mid axillary line is is a line dividing from between the anterior axillary line and posterior axillary line.
• The mid clavicular line divides the body from the middle part of the clavicle downwards.

Question 4

What are directional terms used for? Define the following directional terms from the common names…

1. Front
2. Back
3. Right
4. Left
5. Top
6. Bottom
7. Closest (reference to attachment)
8. Farthest (reference to attachment)
9. Middle
10. Side
11. In
12. Out

Answer 4

Directional terms are used to discuss where an injury is located or how pain radiates in the body.

1. Anterior (ventral): front (belly) surface of the patient
2. Posterior (dorsal): back (spinal) surface of the patient
3. Right: specifically, the patient’s right
4. Left: specifically, the patient’s left
5. Superior: portion closest to the head from specific reference point
6. Inferior: portion closest to the feet from specific reference point
7. Proximal: closest to the point of attachment (trunk)
8. Distal: farthest from the point of attachment (trunk)
9. Medial (inner): parts that lie closest to the midline
10. Lateral (outer): farthest from the midline; parts of body further from mid.
11. Superficial: closest to surface of skin
12. Deep: farthest from surface of the skin

Question 5

What is the front region o fthe hand referred to? How about the bottom of the foot? What is an apex (pl. apices)?

Answer 5

• The front region of the hand (the palms) is referred to as the PALMAR surface
• The bottom surface of the foot is referred to as the PLANTAR surface
• An apex is the tip of a structure, for example the apex of the heart is the bottom (inferior portion) of the ventricles in the left side of the chest.

Question 6

What does it mean to be unilateral? How about bilateral?

Answer 6

• Unilateral means unique to one side such the spleen structure which does not occur on both sides of the midline. You can also reference to pain being one side; unilateral pain.
• Bilateral means occuring on both sides of the midline such as the kidney and lung structures or even eyes.

Question 7

Do you know your degrees? 360? 90? 45?

Answer 7

• 360 is a full turn around
• 90 is like a right angle
• 45 is like an acute angle

Question 8

State the four terms relating to movement of the body.

Answer 8

• Flexion is bending of the joint
• Extension is straightening of the joint
• Adduction is motion toward the midline
• Abduction is motion away from the midline

Question 9

How do you describe the sections of the adominal cavity? How is it divided? Point them out with a friend!

Answer 9

• Sections of the abdominal cavity are described as quadrants, it is divided by an x and y line intersecting at the belly button into four quadrants.
• The four areas are…
  
  • Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
  • Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
  • Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
  • Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

Question 10

What are the anatomic positions you should know to describe the position of the patient when you find them? Demonstrate these with a partner!

Answer 10

• Prone: patient is lying face-down
• Supine: patient is lying face-up
• Fowlers position: named after US surgeon George R. Fowler MD, patient is placed in a semireclining position with head elevated to help them breath easier and control the airway.
  
  • High Fowlers: patient is sitting fully upright used for chest pains, shortness of breath, patient is alert.
  • Semi Fowlers: position of comfort, slightly reclined, normal patients are placed into this.
• Shock position: also modified Trendelenburg’s position. The head and torso are supine and the lower extremities are elevated 6” to 12” to increase blood flow to brain. Used for individuals in shock.
• Recovery position (left lateral): the patient is laying to the side with one arm over the chest and other extended outward. If unconscious, unresponsive just in case if they vomit, they do not choke on it.
• Trendelenburg: named after German surgeon, Friedrich Trendelenburg. Patients are placed in a supine position on an incline with feet 6” to 12” higher than their head on a backboard. Same goal as shock position, to put blood into core.
• Reverse Trendelenburg: supine position on an incline with feet lower than head. Useful to prevent blood from putting more pressure on the brain, used in hospitals.

Question 11

What is our atmosphere composed of?

Answer 11

• 21% Oxygen
• 78% Nitrogen
• 1% Other

Question 12

What is homeostasis? How is it usually achieved?

Answer 12

• Homeostasis is activity required to maintain normal functioning balance between all body systems. The body usually does this through negative feedback such as if blood pressure increase the body works to do the opposite as in lower it.

Question 13

What are electrolytes? What are the important electrolytes in our body and what are they used for?

Answer 13

Salts or minerals that can conduct and electrical charge in the body; ions.

• Sodium (Na) - we are saline solutions, it plays a part in nerve function; AP
• Potassium (K) - for electrical function; conducts electricity; heart functions with this.
• Calcium (Ca) - Mainly used for muscle contraction and neurological function, excess can destroy nerve cells
• Bicarbonate (HCO₃) - base buffer; helps determine pH of blood.

Question 14

Define osmosis and diffusion.

Answer 14

• Osmosis is how fluid move between compartments. Typically it is of water moving of an area of high concentration to low concentration to equalize concentration on both sides of a semi-permable membrane.
• Diffusion how gases are exchanged, specifically how gases disperse to get a uniform concentration by moving from an area of high concentration to low concentration.

Question 15

Name the types of fluid compartments in our bodies.

Answer 15

• Intravascular (within the vessel): determines blood pressure and perfusion
• Interstitial: fluid in tissues between cells, 16% of body weight.
• Intracellular: fluid within the cell.