BASIC ANATOMY

Dr. Misael Romero G.

THE ANATOMICAL PLANES.

The anatomical planes are different lines used to

dissect the human body.

They are particularly prevalent in terminology

describing anatomical models and prosections.
 The Sagittal Plane a vertical line, divides the
body into a left and right.
The Coronal Plane a vertical line, divides the
body into a front and back
The Transverse Plane a horizontal line,
divides the body into a top and bottom
ANATOMICAL TERMS OF LOCATION
Medial and Lateral

Imagine a line in the sagittal plane, splitting the

right and left halves evenly. This is the midline.

Medial means towards the midline, Lateral

means away from the midline.

An example of these terms in use; the thumb is

lateral to the little finger
 Anterior and Posterior
Anterior refers to the front , and posterior refers
to the back.

Putting this in context, the heart is posterior to

the sternum it is behind the sternum.
Equally, the sternum is anterior to the heat it
lies in front of the heart.
 Superior and Inferior

These terms refer to the vertical axis superior

means higher, inferior means lower.
 Proximal and Distal

Proximal and distal are used mainly in the limbs.

They describe the position of a structure with

reference to its origin.

Proximal means closer to its origin, distal means

further away.
ANATOMICAL TERMS OF
MOVEMENT

Flexion refers to a movement that decreases the

angle between two body parts.

Extension refers to a movement that increases

the angle between two body parts.
 Abduction is a movement away from the
midline

Adduction is a movement towards the midline

In fingers and toes, the midline used is not the

midline of the body, but of the hand and foot
respectively
 Medial and Lateral Rotation
Medial and lateral rotation describe movement of
the limbs around their long axis:

Medial rotation is a rotating movement

towards the midline.
Lateral rotation is a rotating movement away
from the midline.
 Pronation moves the palm of the hand so that it
is facing posteriorly (your forearms are pronated
when typing on a keyboard).

Supination moves the palm of the hand so that

it is facing anteriorly (your hands are supinated
when holding a bowl of soup).
 Dorsiflexion refers to flexion at the ankle, so
that the foot points more superiorly

Plantarflexion refers extension at the ankle, so

that the foot points more inferiorly