Regions terminology and movement of the body
18.6.26 4:00 PM
What is Anatomy? !
%
$
#
"
Anatomy – the study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.
Ana-Tome (Greek): “cutting up”.
Subdivisions
Category Focus
Gross Anatomy Whole-organ structures visible to the naked eye
Microscopic Anatomy Cells (Cytology) and tissues (Histology)
Developmental Anatomy Embryology – changes before birth
Specialized Branches Pathological, radiographic, molecular anatomy, etc.
Gross Anatomy
• Regional – all structures within a single body region (e.g., abdomen, leg)
• Systemic – anatomy organized by physiological system
• Surface – internal structures related to overlying skin
Microscopic Anatomy
• Cytology – study of individual cells
• Histology – study of tissue organization
Developmental Anatomy
• Embryology – developmental changes prior to birth
Specialized Branches
• Pathological anatomy – changes caused by disease
• Radiographic anatomy – internal structures visualized by X-ray
• Molecular biology – sub-cellular anatomical structures
Core Questions
What is it? – Identify the structure.
Where is it? – Locate it using directional terms.
What is the function? – Describe its role.
What if it is damaged? – Predict functional loss or clinical signs.
The labeled diagram beneath the specimen highlights tendons, nerves, and vessels, illustrating how internal components
are organized within the palm.
This photograph of a wrist-palm incision shows how anatomical knowledge guides surgical access and closure.
History of Anatomy &
)
(
'
Hippocrates (460-377 BC)
• Greek physician, “Father of Medicine”
• Eponym of the Hippocratic Oath
Depicts the venerable figure whose ethical standards still shape modern practice.
Herophilus (≈ 325 BC) – “Father of Anatomy”
• Performed vivisections of living humans and cadaver dissections
• Recognized the brain as the seat of intelligence
• Described cerebrum, cerebellum, fourth ventricle
• First to label nerves as sensory or motor
Artistic collage symbolizing the blend of art and science in early anatomical discovery.
Vesalius (1514-1654) – “Father of Modern Anatomy”
• Authored De humani corporis fabrica (7 volumes)
• Revolutionized anatomy teaching for two centuries
• Avoided eponymous naming (unlike Sylvius, Fallopius, Eustachius)
Vesalius’ hands-on work with cadavers is reflected in this image of a teacher guiding a dissection.
Basic Anatomical Terminology *
,
+
Anatomical Position – Standard reference pose: upright, facing observer, head level, eyes forward, feet flat, arms
at sides, palms facing forward (ventral).
Directional Terms
• Anterior / Posterior – front vs. back (also ventral vs. dorsal)
• Superior / Inferior – toward head vs. toward feet (cranial vs. caudal)
• Medial / Lateral – toward vs. away from the midline
• Proximal / Distal – closer to vs. farther from the limb’s root
• Superficial / Deep – nearer to surface vs. nearer to core
• Right / Left – patient's right/left (always from the patient’s perspective)
Labels on a standing figure illustrate each term in a clinical context.
Detailed Definitions
Superior – nearer to the head or a higher position.
Inferior – nearer to the feet or a lower position.
Arrows on lateral and anterior views reinforce the spatial meaning of superior, inferior, anterior, and posterior.
Anterior – situated toward the front of the body.
Posterior – situated toward the back of the body.
Medial – closer to the median (mid-) plane.
Lateral – farther from the median plane.
The diagram emphasizes the median plane and the medial–lateral relationship of structures.
Proximal – nearer the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.
Distal – farther from that point of attachment.
Superficial – closer to the body surface.
Deep – farther from the surface, toward the interior.
Concentric circles visually contrast superficial (outer) and deep (inner) layers.
Ventral – front or belly side.
Dorsal – back side.
Arrows point to the anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) surfaces of the body and hand.
Supine – lying face up.
Prone – lying face down.
Unilateral – one side only.
Bilateral – both sides.
Axial vs. Appendicular Skeleton
Dividing the skeleton into Axial (skull, vertebral column, rib cage) and Appendicular (limbs, girdles) clarifies
root-to-extremity relationships.
Blue highlights the axial skeleton; yellow marks the appendicular components.
Anatomical Planes -
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
/
.
Three mutually perpendicular planes enable consistent description of body sections.
Sagittal Plane
• Divides body into right and left portions.
• Midsagittal/Median – exactly midline; Parasagittal – off-center.
The green box defines the sagittal plane and shows a cross-section view.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane
• Separates anterior (front) from posterior (back) portions.
An MRI slice demonstrates the coronal orientation.
Transverse (Horizontal) Plane
• Cuts the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) halves.
Horizontal green plane shows a typical CT/MRI transverse view.
Movements of the Body 7
E
D
C
B
A
@
?
>
=
<
;
:
9
8
Movement Description Representative Image
Flexion Decrease angle between two bones
(e.g., fetal position)
Extension Increase angle (anatomical
position)
Hyperextensi Excessive extension beyond (illustrated in the general movement diagram)
on anatomical limits
Adduction Move toward the midline
Abduction Move away from the midline Same image as above
Pronation Rotate forearm/foot so palm/sole
faces down (prone)
Supination Rotate forearm/foot so palm/sole Same image as above
faces up (supine)
Retraction Move a structure posteriorly
Protraction Move a structure anteriorly Same mandible image
Elevation Raise a structure (e.g., scapula) Same mandible image
Depression Lower a structure Same mandible image
Rotation Turn around a longitudinal axis
Circumductio Circular, tri-planar movement Same shoulder image
n (hip/shoulder)
Internal Rotate toward the midline Same shoulder image
Rotation
External Rotate away from the midline Same shoulder image
Rotation
Lateral Side-bending of the torso
Flexion
Foot-Specific Movements
• Inversion – sole turns inward.
• Eversion – sole turns outward.
• Dorsiflexion – ankle brings foot toward shin.
• Plantarflexion – ankle points foot downward.
Wrist & Thumb Movements
• Radial Deviation – wrist moves toward the radius (lateral side).
• Ulnar Deviation – wrist moves
18.6.26 4:00 PM
What is Anatomy? !
%
$
#
"
Anatomy – the study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.
Ana-Tome (Greek): “cutting up”.
Subdivisions
Category Focus
Gross Anatomy Whole-organ structures visible to the naked eye
Microscopic Anatomy Cells (Cytology) and tissues (Histology)
Developmental Anatomy Embryology – changes before birth
Specialized Branches Pathological, radiographic, molecular anatomy, etc.
Gross Anatomy
• Regional – all structures within a single body region (e.g., abdomen, leg)
• Systemic – anatomy organized by physiological system
• Surface – internal structures related to overlying skin
Microscopic Anatomy
• Cytology – study of individual cells
• Histology – study of tissue organization
Developmental Anatomy
• Embryology – developmental changes prior to birth
Specialized Branches
• Pathological anatomy – changes caused by disease
• Radiographic anatomy – internal structures visualized by X-ray
• Molecular biology – sub-cellular anatomical structures
Core Questions
What is it? – Identify the structure.
Where is it? – Locate it using directional terms.
What is the function? – Describe its role.
What if it is damaged? – Predict functional loss or clinical signs.
The labeled diagram beneath the specimen highlights tendons, nerves, and vessels, illustrating how internal components
are organized within the palm.
This photograph of a wrist-palm incision shows how anatomical knowledge guides surgical access and closure.
History of Anatomy &
)
(
'
Hippocrates (460-377 BC)
• Greek physician, “Father of Medicine”
• Eponym of the Hippocratic Oath
Depicts the venerable figure whose ethical standards still shape modern practice.
Herophilus (≈ 325 BC) – “Father of Anatomy”
• Performed vivisections of living humans and cadaver dissections
• Recognized the brain as the seat of intelligence
• Described cerebrum, cerebellum, fourth ventricle
• First to label nerves as sensory or motor
Artistic collage symbolizing the blend of art and science in early anatomical discovery.
Vesalius (1514-1654) – “Father of Modern Anatomy”
• Authored De humani corporis fabrica (7 volumes)
• Revolutionized anatomy teaching for two centuries
• Avoided eponymous naming (unlike Sylvius, Fallopius, Eustachius)
Vesalius’ hands-on work with cadavers is reflected in this image of a teacher guiding a dissection.
Basic Anatomical Terminology *
,
+
Anatomical Position – Standard reference pose: upright, facing observer, head level, eyes forward, feet flat, arms
at sides, palms facing forward (ventral).
Directional Terms
• Anterior / Posterior – front vs. back (also ventral vs. dorsal)
• Superior / Inferior – toward head vs. toward feet (cranial vs. caudal)
• Medial / Lateral – toward vs. away from the midline
• Proximal / Distal – closer to vs. farther from the limb’s root
• Superficial / Deep – nearer to surface vs. nearer to core
• Right / Left – patient's right/left (always from the patient’s perspective)
Labels on a standing figure illustrate each term in a clinical context.
Detailed Definitions
Superior – nearer to the head or a higher position.
Inferior – nearer to the feet or a lower position.
Arrows on lateral and anterior views reinforce the spatial meaning of superior, inferior, anterior, and posterior.
Anterior – situated toward the front of the body.
Posterior – situated toward the back of the body.
Medial – closer to the median (mid-) plane.
Lateral – farther from the median plane.
The diagram emphasizes the median plane and the medial–lateral relationship of structures.
Proximal – nearer the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.
Distal – farther from that point of attachment.
Superficial – closer to the body surface.
Deep – farther from the surface, toward the interior.
Concentric circles visually contrast superficial (outer) and deep (inner) layers.
Ventral – front or belly side.
Dorsal – back side.
Arrows point to the anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) surfaces of the body and hand.
Supine – lying face up.
Prone – lying face down.
Unilateral – one side only.
Bilateral – both sides.
Axial vs. Appendicular Skeleton
Dividing the skeleton into Axial (skull, vertebral column, rib cage) and Appendicular (limbs, girdles) clarifies
root-to-extremity relationships.
Blue highlights the axial skeleton; yellow marks the appendicular components.
Anatomical Planes -
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
/
.
Three mutually perpendicular planes enable consistent description of body sections.
Sagittal Plane
• Divides body into right and left portions.
• Midsagittal/Median – exactly midline; Parasagittal – off-center.
The green box defines the sagittal plane and shows a cross-section view.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane
• Separates anterior (front) from posterior (back) portions.
An MRI slice demonstrates the coronal orientation.
Transverse (Horizontal) Plane
• Cuts the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) halves.
Horizontal green plane shows a typical CT/MRI transverse view.
Movements of the Body 7
E
D
C
B
A
@
?
>
=
<
;
:
9
8
Movement Description Representative Image
Flexion Decrease angle between two bones
(e.g., fetal position)
Extension Increase angle (anatomical
position)
Hyperextensi Excessive extension beyond (illustrated in the general movement diagram)
on anatomical limits
Adduction Move toward the midline
Abduction Move away from the midline Same image as above
Pronation Rotate forearm/foot so palm/sole
faces down (prone)
Supination Rotate forearm/foot so palm/sole Same image as above
faces up (supine)
Retraction Move a structure posteriorly
Protraction Move a structure anteriorly Same mandible image
Elevation Raise a structure (e.g., scapula) Same mandible image
Depression Lower a structure Same mandible image
Rotation Turn around a longitudinal axis
Circumductio Circular, tri-planar movement Same shoulder image
n (hip/shoulder)
Internal Rotate toward the midline Same shoulder image
Rotation
External Rotate away from the midline Same shoulder image
Rotation
Lateral Side-bending of the torso
Flexion
Foot-Specific Movements
• Inversion – sole turns inward.
• Eversion – sole turns outward.
• Dorsiflexion – ankle brings foot toward shin.
• Plantarflexion – ankle points foot downward.
Wrist & Thumb Movements
• Radial Deviation – wrist moves toward the radius (lateral side).
• Ulnar Deviation – wrist moves
