HBIO1005 - Anatomy & Physiology

Question 1

Anatomical Position meaning?

Answer 1

Gives reference points in a standard body position.

All directional terms refer to the body in this position.

Body erect.

Feet slightly apart.

Hands at side of body, palms pronated i.e. thumbs pointed away from body.

Question 2

Orientation and Direction:

Superior (cranial)

Answer 2

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

The head is superior to the abdomen.

Question 3

Inferior (caudal)

Answer 3

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

The naval is inferior to the chin.

Question 4

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 4

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of

The breastbone is anterior to the spine.

Question 5

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 5

Toward or at the back of the body; behind

The heart is posterior to the breastbone.

Question 6

Medial

Answer 6

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

The heart is medial to the arm.

Question 7

Lateral

Answer 7

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

The arms are lateral to the chest.

Question 8

Intermediate

Answer 8

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder.

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Question 10

Distal

Answer 10

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

The knee is distal to the thigh.

Question 11

Superficial (external)

Answer 11

Toward or at the body surface.

The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles.

Question 12

Deep (internal)

Answer 12

Away from the body surface; more internal.

The lungs are deep to the skin.

Question 13

Regional terms - what are the two fundamental divisions of our body?

Answer 13

1. Axial

2. Appendicular

Question 14

Axial part meaning?

Answer 14

Makes up the main axis of our body, uncles the head, neck and trunk.

Question 15

Appendicular part meaning?

Answer 15

Consists of the appendages, or limbs, which are attached to the body’s axis.

Question 16

Sagittal plane - what is it?

Answer 16

A sagittal plane is a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

A sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline is the median plane, or midsagittal plane.

All other sagittal planes, offset from the midline, are parasagittal planes (para = near).

Question 17

Frontal (coronal) plane meaning?

Answer 17

Frontal planes, like sagittal planes, lie vertically.

However, frontal planes divide the body into anterior and posterior parts.

A frontal plane is also called a coronal plane.

Question 18

What is a transverse or horizontal plane?

Answer 18

A Transverse, or horizontal plane runs horizontally from right to left, dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.a

Of course many different transverse planes exist, at every possible level from head to foot.

A transverse section is also called a cross section.

Question 19

Oblique sections meaning?

Answer 19

Oblique sections are cuts made diagonally between the horizontal and vertical planes.

Because oblique sections are often confusing and difficult to interpret, they are seldomly used.