Anatomical Terminology and

Orientation of Human Body

Prof AO Ihunwo, PhD

School of Anatomical Sciences

1

Lecture Outline

• Definition of Anatomy

• Methods of study of Anatomy

• Anatomical Terminology

Anatomical Position

Anatomical Planes

Terms of Relationships and Comparison

Terms of Movement

• Body Cavities

• Anatomical Variations

• 3-D approach to study of Anatomy

2

ANATOMY

• Oldest basic medical science

‘Anatomy’ is derived from the Greek word,

‘Ana-tem-mia’ which means “cutting up”.

• Latin equivalent is ‘dissectio’

(‘Dissection’ – an action)

• Anatomy is the study or science of the

structure of the human body

3

Methods of study of Anatomy

•Living Anatomy

•Macroscopic (Morphological or Gross)

•Microscopic (Histology)

•Developmental (Embryology)

•Radiological and

•Experimental Anatomy

(All incorporating regional or systemic anatomy and clinical implications)

4

Living Anatomy

Involves physical examination of a living individual:

• Inspection: ‘Looking at’ the body

Proportions, postures and contours

• Palpation: Touching the body

Consistency, shape and size

• Percussion: Tapping of a surface with a finger

Produces sounds

• Auscultation: Using a stethoscope

Information on air and blood flow

5

Surface Anatomy & Endoscopy

• Surface Anatomy

• Visualisation in the

“mind’s eye” of

structures that lie

beneath the skin and

are hidden by it.

• Useful in study of living

anatomy.

• Endoscopy

Use of special

instruments called

Endoscopes (tubes with

optic fibres) to examine

deeper parts of orifice or

openings of the body

and cavities of viscera

(organs). E.g.

Gastroscopy – stomach

6

Macroscopic (Gross/Morphological) Anatomy

Regional/Topographical

• Major Parts (Regions)• Head, Neck, Thorax, Abdomen,

Pelvis & Perineum, Back, Upper and Lower Limbs

• Based on form & relations of component parts of the body.

1. Upper limb & Thorax

2. Head/Neck & Neuroanatomy

3. Abdomen, Pelvis & Perineum

4. Lower limb

7

Clinically Oriented Anatomy 5th Ed

Macroscopic (Gross/Morphological ) Anatomy: Systemic

• Integumentary

• Skeletal, Articular & Muscular

(Locomotor/Musculoskeletal)

• Nervous system

• Circulatory system

• Cardiovascular

• Lymphatic

• Respiratory

• Gastro-intestinal

• Urinary

• Reproductive (Genital)

• Endocrine

8

Microscopic Anatomy

(Histology)

• Using microscopes to study

cells, tissues and organs of

the body

Computer Assisted Learning

Systemic approach adopted

• Cytology: Study of

ultrastructure of cell and its

organelles. Based on

electron microscopy.

Electron Micrographs

9

http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/

http://www.bu.edu/histology/p/20101ooa.htm

Developmental Anatomy (Embryology)

• Progressive changes from

time of fertilisation of

ovum by the sperm until

birth.

• Pre-natal period of

development.

• Teratology

study of congenital

abnormalities and its causes

10

http://www.indiana.edu/~anat550/embryo_main/index.html

Radiological (Imaging)

Anatomy • Study of structure and function of the body using radiographic techniques.

• Forms anatomical basis for Radiology• using radiant energy in diagnosis

and treatment of disease.

• Ultrasound, Computerised Axial Tomography (CAT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI or fMRI), etc.

11

Wikipedia

Experimental Anatomy & Anthropometry

Experimental Anatomy

• Study of problems in human anatomy that has opened up

many fields with new techniques

• E.gs. tissue culture and organ transplantation.

Anthropometry

• A component of Biological Anthropology that deals with

measuring the body.

• Examples: Weight, Height, Circumference, etc.

• Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of body fat based

on height and weight

12

Anatomical Terminology

• Internationally accepted terminology for the study of Anatomy

• Forms the basis of a large part of medical terminology. E.g.

‘axilla’ for ‘armpit’.

• Federative International Programme on Anatomical

Terminology (FIPAT) of the International Federation of

Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) guideline;

https://www.ifaa.net/committees/anatomical-terminology-fipat/

• Terminologica Anatomica (TA 2nd Ed, 2019)

• Terminologica Histologica (TH, 2008)

• Terminologica Embryologica (TE, 2009)

13

What is ‘Anatomical Position’

Frame of Reference accepted globally

• A human body standing upright,

Head (face and eyes directed forwards (anteriorly)

upper limbs by the side with palms of hand directed forwards (anteriorly)

lower limbs close together with toes directed forwards (anteriorly)

• Visualised in your “mind’s eye” when describing cadavers or patients lying on their backs

14

http://www.medicalillustration.com/generateexhibit.php?ID=26006

Supine position:The body is lying down with face pointing upwards.

All the remaining positions are similar to anatomical position with the only

difference of being in a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane.

15

Four (4) Anatomical Planes

16

Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Vertical or longitudinal planes passing from one

side to the other at right angles to median plane (Front & Back)

Transverse(Horizontal) Plane: Transects body from front to back and side

to side into an upper (superior) and a lower (inferior) part.

Median Plane: Passes through body from front to back dividing it into Right

and Left halves. Sagittal Plane: Vertical planes parallel to median plane

17

Anatomical Planes…

Terms of

Relationship and

Comparison

Superficial,

‘Intermediate’ & Deep

Medial and Lateral

Anterior (ventral) &

Posterior (dorsal)

Superior (cranial) &

Inferior caudal)

Proximal & Distal

Palmar & Dorsal

(hand)

Plantar & Dorsal

(foot)

18

Terms of Relationship

• Median sagittal planeMedial ……. nearer,

Lateral ……. farther from

• Coronal PlaneAnterior…… towards the front

(ventral)

Posterior … towards the back (dorsal)

• Horizontal Plane

• Superior (Cephalic)Towards the head. E.g. Neck is

superior to Thorax

• Inferior (Caudal)Towards the foot. E.g. Abdomen

is inferior to Thorax

19

http://www.medicalillustration.com/

Terms of Comparison

• Proximal: near trunk or origin. E.g. elbow proximal to

wrist

• Distal: farther from trunk or towards the end. E.g.

hand is distal to wrist

20

wikidoc.org/index.php/Anatomical_terms

Terms of Comparison… Ipsilateral: on the same side

Contralateral: on the opposite side

Combined terms: Inferomedial &

Superolateral

21

Superficial/External/Outer: Closer to

body surface (skin) e.g. sternum

Deep/Internal/Inner: farther from body

surface e.g. heart

Terms of Movements

Of limbs and parts of the body

• Flexion: Forward movement. E.g. bending or angulation

• Extension: Straightening from the flexed position

• Abduction: Movement away from median plane or midline

• Adduction: Movement towards midline

• Rotation: Movement around longitudinal axis of body.

• Medial & Lateral rotation

• Circumduction: Circular movement combining flexion, extension,

abduction, adduction & rotation

• Opposition: Bringing thumb and other fingers together.

22

Terms of

Movements

Extension vs

Flexion

Opposition vs

Reposition

Pronation vs

Supination

23

Terms of

Movements …

Abduction vs Adduction

Rotation (medial vs lateral

Circumduction

Dorsiflexion vs Plantarflexion

Inversion vs Eversion

Elevation vs Depression

Protrusion vs Retrusion

Protraction vs Retraction

24

Terms of Movements …

• Supination: Lateral rotation of forearm & hand (palm faces forwards)

• Pronation: Medial rotation of forearm & hand (palm faces backwards)

• Inversion: Sole of foot facing medially

• Eversion: Sole of foot facing laterally

25

26

Protraction Moving anteriorly (protrusion)

Retraction Moving posteriorly (retrusion)

Depression Movement inferiorly .. Downwards

Elevation Movement superiorly .. Upwards

Movements at Temporomandibular Joint

Body Cavities: Dorsal & Ventral

27

Anatomical Variation

28

• The structures among peoples vary. Likewise, structures within an individual.

• An anatomical variation is usually compatible with life unlike an abnormality (congenital or acquired), although this may yield to medical or surgical therapy.

• Examples of anatomical variations: Neurovascular structures and in extreme cases, Situs Inversus (transposition of organs)

Clinically significant variations will always be highlighted in the Anatomy course

Expect variations during dissections

3 Ds Approach to study of Anatomy

•Dissection/Demonstration Practicals

•Diagrams

•Description

• Dr Hartmann’s Approach to Studying Morphological Anatomy on

the School of Anatomical Sciences Website;

• School’s website: http://anatomical-sciences.health.wits.ac.za/

• Password: anatomy2020

29