Anatomy of the Human Body
Anatomy Terms
Let’s begin by making sure we understand the words. You’ll get lost if you don’t know them. At first, you may have to think for a moment to remember which means front and which means back, but when you can do it this fast, you have it forever. If you need a quick reminder, I’ve created a list of anatomy terms below.
If you know the language of anatomy, you’ll be able to figure out those long latin names, and you won’t have to say “What the heck is Stan talking about?”
Terms of Location
Anterior describes something that is toward the front of the body. Alternatively, posterior describes something that is toward the back of the body. It also refers to the back of the hand, and top of the foot.
Medial is something located toward the middle of the body or away from the side. The opposite is Lateral. Something that is toward the side of the body or away from the middle. Superior is toward the top or above. And Inferior is toward the bottom, below.
Distal refers mainly to the limbs and describes something away from the center of the body. Alternatively, Proximal is something closer to the center of the body. When I say that something is deep, I mean that it is not visible on the surface. It's covered with other volumes. However, superficial means it is visible on the surface. And similarly, subcutaneous means just below the skin. Like the bony landmarks. Thanks Skelly!
The premium version shows an explanation of more terms and has a downloadable PDF that you can print out.
Anatomy Terms
Anatomical Position (reference position) – Standing figure with feet together, arms down and supinated
The Three Anatomical Planes
Sagittal Plane – A vertical line, divides the body into a left and right
Coronal Plane – A vertical line, divides the body into a front and back
Transverse Plane – A horizontal line, divides the body into a top and bottom
Terms of Location
Anterior – Toward the front of the body
Median – Located on the midline of the torso or limbs
Medial – Toward the middle of the body, away from the side
Superior – Toward the top, above
Proximal – Situated nearer to the center of the body or the point of attachment
Deep – Not visible on the surface, covered with something else
Posterior – Toward the back of the body
Lateral – Toward the side of the body, away from the middle
Inferior – Toward the bottom, below
Distal – Situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment
Superficial – Visible on the surface
Subcutaneous – Just below the skin, specifically referring to the bony landmarks
Origin (of a muscle) -Where the muscle attaches to a part of the body that doesn’t move, or moves very little
Insertion (of a muscle) - Where the muscle attaches to a part of the body that will move when the muscle pulls
Terms of Movement
Flexion – Bending movement that decreases the angle between two parts (e.g bending the elbow)
Extension – Straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts (e.g straightening the elbow)
Abduction – Movement away from the midline (e.g lift arm up to side)
Adduction – Movement towards the midline (e.g lower arm back to hip)
Medial Rotation – Rotating movement towards the midline (e.g rotating the knee inward)
Lateral Rotation – Rotating movement away from the midline (e.g rotating the knee outward)
Elevation – Movement in a superior direction (e.g shoulder shrug)
Depression – Movement in an inferior direction (e.g shoulder down)
Protraction – Movement in the anterior direction (e.g shoulder forward)
Retraction – Movement in the posterior direction (e.g shoulder back)
Pronation – Rotate the palm of the hand so that it is facing posteriorly, or down (e.g typing on a keyboard)
Supination – Rotate the palm of the hand so that it is facing anteriorly, or up (e.g holding a bowl of soup)
Dorsiflexion – Flexion of the foot at the ankle so the foot points superiorly, and rotating the hand so the back of the hand moves closer to the forearm
Plantarflexion – Extension of the foot at the ankle, so the foot points inferiorly
Palmarflexion – Rotating the hand so the palm of the hand moves closer to the forearm
Opposition – Bring the thumb and little finger together
Reposition – Move the thumb and little finger away from each other
Circumduction – The circular movement of a limb, a combination of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction
Inversion – Movement which faces the sole of the foot inwards
Eversion – Movement which faces the sole of the foot outwards
Quantity
Bi – Two
Tri – Three
Quad – Four
Size
Minor/Minimus – Small
Brevis – Short
Major/Maximus/Vastus/Magnus – Great/Large
Longus – Long
Pertaining to a Part of the Body
Cephalic/Cranial – Of the Head
Clavicular – Of the Collar bone
Acromial – Of the Shoulder region
Brachial – Of the Arm
Cubital – Of the Elbow
Carpal – Of the Wrist
Abdominal – Of the Stomach region
Pelvic – Of the Hipbone
Pubic – Of the Groin
Geniculate – Of the Knee region
Pedal – Of the Foot
Palmar – Of the Palm of the hand
Plantar – Of the Sole of the foot
Cervical Region – Part of spinal column comprising the neck
Thoracic Region – Part of spinal column comprising the thorax or chest
Lumbar Region – Part of spinal column comprising the dorsal section of umbilical region
Sacral Region – Part of spinal column comprising the pelvic area
Coccyx Region – Part of spinal column comprising the tail bone
