Anatomy & Physiology I | Complete Study
Guide 2025
Anatomy
THE study of body structure
Physiology
THE study of body function
Describe THE position a patient needs to be in anatomical position.
- body is erect
- feet is slightly apart
- palms facing forward, thumbs pointing away from body.
Superior
Above
ex: THE heart is superior to THE diaphragm
Inferior
Below
ex: THE liver is inferior to THE diaphragm.
Anterior
(infront) towards THE ventral side
ex: THE sternum is anterior to THE heart
Posterior
(back) towards THE dorsal side
ex: THE esophagus is posterior to THE trachea.
Medial
toward THE center/towards THE midline/toward THE median plane
, ex: THE heart is medial to THE lungs
Lateral
away from THE center/away from THE midline/away from THE median plane
ex: THE eyes are lateral to THE nose.
Proximal
Closer to THE point of attachment
ex: THE elbow is proximal to THE wrist
Distal
away from THE point of attachment
ex: THE fingernails are at THE distal ends of THE finger.
Superficial
near THE surface/closer to THE body surface
ex: THE skin is superficial to THE muscle
Deep
away from THE surface/farTHEr from THE body surface
ex: THE bones are deep to THE muscles.
Cephalic
toward THE head/pertaining to head
ex: THE cephalic end of THE embryonic neural tube develops into THE brain.
Contralaterlal
on THE opposite side of THE body
ex: THE spleen is contralateral to THE liver.
Ventral
toward THE front or belly
ex: THE aorta is ventral to THE vertebral column
Dorsal
toward THE back or spine
ex: THE vertebral column is dorsal to THE aorta.
Ispilateral