Anatomical terminology

The anatomical position, with terms of relative location noted.

The skull uses different terminology, due to its embryonic origin of neuraxis.

The three anatomical planes of the body: the sagital, transverse (or horizontal), frontal planes.

The human body is shown in anatomical position in an anterior view and a posterior view. The regions of the body are labeled in boldface.

Different body cavities (anterior mediastinum not visible)

Abdominal regions are used for example to localize pain.

Serous membrane

The biceps brachii flex the lower arm. The brachoradialis, in the forearm, and brachialis, located deep to the biceps in the upper arm, are both synergists that aid in this motion.

The skeletal muscles of the body typically come in seven different general shapes. Muscle Shapes and Fiber Alignment This figure shows the human body with the major muscle groups labeled.

Anatomical Terminology

Anatomical terminology is a language used by anatomists and health care providers to precisely and unambiguously describe the human body and its components, conditions, processes, and procedures. Originating from Greek and Latin roots, these terms offer clarity and consistency, regardless of the speaker's native tongue, ensuring a reduction in potential misunderstandings or medical errors.

Introduction

While the language of anatomy may seem complex and arcane to the layperson, its primary objective is to enhance precision in description. For instance, instead of referring to a scar "above the wrist", anatomical terminology allows practitioners to specify exact locations, minimizing vagueness.

Etymology

Historically, anatomical terms have roots in ancient Greek and Latin. The consistent usage of these terms ensures that their meanings remain static, even as everyday languages evolve. Such stability is crucial in the realm of medical science, where clarity can mean the difference between life and death.

Vocabulary Structure

Further information: International scientific vocabulary and Medical terminology

Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

Anatomical terms often consist of a root word, which typically refers to an organ, tissue, or condition, supplemented by prefixes or suffixes that modify or enhance the meaning. For instance, in "hypertension", "hyper-" denotes "high" or "over", while "tension" pertains to pressure.

Examples:

• musculus biceps brachii: "musculus" = muscle; "biceps" = two-headed; "brachii" pertains to the brachial or arm region.

Relative Location

Main article: Anatomical terms of location

Anatomical terminology often emphasizes the relative positions of body structures. Standardized reference points and descriptions ensure consistent communication, irrespective of the body's actual orientation. Key terms include:

• Anterior and posterior: front and back of the body, respectively.
• Superior and inferior: positions above or below another body part.
• Proximal and distal: closer to or farther from the body's trunk.
• Superficial and deep: nearer to or farther from the body's surface.
• Medial and lateral: closer to or farther from the body's midline.
• Ventral and Dorsal: structures originating from the embryo's front and back.
• Cranial and caudal: structures near the skull's top and the body's bottom.
• Rostral: structures near the front of the nose, especially in the skull.

Anatomical Planes

Anatomy frequently references planes, which are imaginary two-dimensional surfaces passing through the body, used to describe sections of the body:

• Sagittal plane: divides the body vertically into right and left sides.
• Frontal (or coronal) plane: divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.
• Transverse plane: divides the body horizontally into upper and lower sections.

Functional State Terminology

These terms often relate to the functional status or characteristics of an organ or structure:

• Anastamoses: connection between previously branched structures.
• Patent: a structure remaining abnormally open.
• Visceral and parietal: pertaining to an organ and the wall of its cavity.
• Paired: structures present on both body sides.

Regions and Landmarks

Main article: List of human anatomical regions

Terms like "prone" (face-down) and "supine" (face-up) describe body orientation. Anatomical landmarks, like the umbilicus or sternum, help pinpoint locations.

Body Cavities

Main article: Body cavity

Body cavities, like the dorsal and ventral cavities, house various organs. They maintain internal organization using membranes and sheaths, demarcating different compartments.

Glossary of terms

• deglutition, from deglutio, to swallow down.

• deltoides, a muscle so called, because it is shaped like the Greek letter delta.

• depressor, from deprimo, to press down.

• digastricus, derived from two greek words meaning twoBellies. A muscle is thus named having two bellies,

• ductus, a canal or duct.

• ensiformis, from ensis a sword and forma resemb-Lance. A term applied to parts resembling a sword.

• epigastric, from two greek words meaning above the stom-Ach.

• epiglottis, the cartilage at the root of the tongue that fallsUpon the glottis.

• erector, to raise up, a name given to muscles.

• ethmoid, any thing perforated like a seive.

• extensor, to stretch out.

• foramen, from foro to pierce, a small opening.

• fossa, a depression or ditch.

• frontalis, from frons, the forehead.

• fungus, proud flesh. A term in surgery to express any luxuriant formation of flesh on an ulcer.

• ganglion, a knot.

• gastritis, inflamation of the stomach.

• genoi, from a greek word meaning the chin.

• glenoid, the name of articulating cavities of bones.

• glossa, from a greek word meaning the tongue.

• helix, the external circle or border of the ear.

• hepaticia, the liver.

• hepatitis, inflammation of the liver.

• hypochondrium, from two greek words meaning under aCartilage]], that part of the body under the cartilages of theShort ribs.

• hyftogastrium. The lower part of the abdomen.

• intercostal, from inter between and costa a rib. AName given to muscles, &c. Between the ribs.

• interosseous, from inter between and os a bone. A nameGiven to muscles]], &c. Which are between bones.

• ischium, the loin. A bone of the pelvis so named becauseIt is near the loin.

• jugalis, ¥tomjugum ayokz; the name of a bonejof the Head.

• lateralis, from latus the side. Any thing situated onThe side.

• latissimus, a term applied to broad muscles.

• laxator , from laxo to loosen. A name given to muscles.

• levator, from levo to lift up. A name given to muscles.

• linaea, from linum]], a thread. A thread-like appearance.

• linea alba, a tendinous expansion, situated in the center ofThe anterior part of the abdomen.

• longissimus, the longest. Muscles are so named from theirLength.

• malleolus, diminutive of malleus, a mallet: the ancle.

• maseter, to chew; the name of a muscle.

• mastoid, processes of bones are so named, when they re-Semble the nipple of a breast.

• maxilla, to chew. The upper and lower jaws are so called.

• meatus, an opening which leads to a canal or duct.

• mediastinum ^ a membranous division formed by the pleuraDividing the chest into two parts.

• metacarpus, that part of the hand which is between theWrist (carpus) and fingers.

• metatarsus, that part of the foot between the tarsus & toes.

• malarix, a double tooth, so named because they grind theFood.

• mons, a mount or hill.

• moris veneris, the eminence immediately over the os pu-Bis in women]], that is covered with hair.

• obliquus, oblique^ a term applied to parts from theis

• obturator, a stopper up, or that which coverts any thingOculus, the eye.

• palmaris, from palma, the hand. Belonging to the Hand.

• palpebrx, the eye-lids.

• pericardium, a membranous bag that surrounds the heart.

• periosteum, the membrane which invests the external sinFace of bones.

• perone, to fasten. A name given to muscles.

• pia mater, the natural mother; so called because it embnCes the brain,' as a mother folds her child.

• pisiform, frompisum a pea]], and forma likeness. Pea-lik<

• pronator, a name given to muscles]], the use of which is ITurn the palm of the hand downwards.

• psoas, a name given to muscles]], that belongs to the loins.

• pterygoid, resembling the wing of a bird. A name given 1A process of the ethmoid bone.

• pudendum, from pudor shame. The external parts <Generation.

• pulmonary, belonging to the lungs.

• rectus, straight.

• retrahens, to draw back.

• rima glotidis, the opening of the larynx, through whicThe air passes in and out of the lungs.

• scapha, a sciff, or boat.

• sclerotic, the name of one of the coats of the eye.

• scrobeculus cordis, the pit of the stomach.

• semilunar, half moon shaped.

• septum, a partition.

• seratus, from sera, a saw. Any thing resembling saTeeth.

• squmosa, from squama, a scale. A term applied to bon<Which lie over each other.

• supinator, from supinus, upwards. A name given to musCles which turn the palm of the hand upwards.

• supra, above.

• suture, from sua]], to join together.

• systole, to contract; the contraction of the heart.

• tensor, from tendo, to stretch. A name given to tfMuscles.

• teres, round, cylindrical.

• trachea, the wind pipe, so called from its roughness

• deglutition, from deglutio, to swallow down.

• deltoides, a muscle so called, because it is shaped like theGreek letter delta.

• depressor, from deprimo]], to press down.

• digastricus, derived from two greek words meaning twoBellies. A muscle is thus named having two bellies,

• ductus, a canal or duct.

• ensiformis, from ensis a sword and forma resemb-Lance. A term applied to parts resembling a sword.

• epigastric, from two greek words meaning above the stom-Ach.

• epiglottis, the cartilage at the root of the tongue that fallsUpon the glottis.

• erector, to raise up]], a name given to muscles.

• ethmoid, any thing perforated like a seive.

• extensor, to stretch out.

• foramen, from foro to pierce]], a small opening.

• fossa, a depression or ditch.

• frontalis, from frons]], the forehead.

• fungus, proud flesh. A term in surgery to express any lux-Uriant formation of flesh on an ulcer.

• ganglion, a knot.

• gastritis, inflamation of the stomach.

• genoi, from a greek word meaning the chin.

• glenoid, the name of articulating cavities of bones.

• glossa, from a greek word meaning the tongue.

• helix, the external circle or border of the ear.

• hepaticia, the liver.

• hepatitis, inflammation of the liver.

• hypochondrium, from two greek words meaning under aCartilage]], that part of the body under the cartilages of theShort ribs.

• hyftogastrium. The lower part of the abdomen.

• intercostal, from inter between and costa a rib. AName given to muscles, &c. Between the ribs.

• interosseous, from inter between and os a bone. A nameGiven to muscles]], &c. Which are between bones.

• ischium, the loin. A bone of the pelvis so named becauseIt is near the loin.

• jugalis, ¥tomjugum ayokz; the name of a bonejof theHead.

• lateralis, from latus the side. Any thing situated onThe side.

• latissimus, a term applied to broad muscles.

• laxator , from laxo to loosen. A name given to muscles.

• levator, from levo to lift up. A name given to muscles.

• linaea, from linum]], a thread. A thread-like appearance.

• linea alba, a tendinous expansion, situated in the center ofThe anterior part of the abdomen.

• longissimus, the longest. Muscles are so named from theirLength.

• malleolus, diminutive of malleus, a mallet: the ancle.

• maseter, to chew; the name of a muscle.

• mastoid, processes of bones are so named, when they re-Semble the nipple of a breast.

• maxilla, to chew. The upper and lower jaws are so called.

• meatus, an opening which leads to a canal or duct.

• mediastinum ^ a membranous division formed by the pleuraDividing the chest into two parts.

• metacarpus, that part of the hand which is between theWrist (carpus) and fingers.

• metatarsus, that part of the foot between the tarsus & toes.

• malarix, a double tooth, so named because they grind theFood.

• mons, a mount or hill.

• moris veneris, the eminence immediately over the os pubis in women, that is covered with hair.

• obliquus, oblique^ a term applied to parts from theis

• obturator, a stopper up, or that which coverts any thing

• Oculus, the eye.

• palmaris, from palma, the hand. Belonging to thHand.

• palpebrx, the eye-lids.

• pericardium, a membranous bag that surrounds the heart.

• periosteum, the membrane which invests the external sinFace of bones.

• perone, to fasten. A name given to muscles.

• pia mater, the natural mother; so called because it embnCes the brain,' as a mother folds her child.

• pisiform, frompisum a pea]], and forma likeness. Pea-lik<

• pronator, a name given to muscles]], the use of which is ITurn the palm of the hand downwards.

• psoas, a name given to muscles]], that belongs to the loins.

• pterygoid, resembling the wing of a bird. A name given 1A process of the ethmoid bone.

• pudendum, from pudor shame. The external parts <Generation.

• pulmonary, belonging to the lungs.

• rectus, straight.

• retrahens, to draw back.

• rima glotidis, the opening of the larynx, through whicThe air passes in and out of the lungs.

• scapha, a sciff, or boat.

• sclerotic, the name of one of the coats of the eye.

• scrobeculus cordis, the pit of the stomach.

• semilunar, half moon shaped.

• septum, a partition.

• seratus, from sera, a saw. Any thing resembling saTeeth.

• squmosa, from squama, a scale. A term applied to bon<Which lie over each other.

• supinator, from supinus, upwards. A name given to musCles which turn the palm of the hand upwards.

• supra, above.

• suture, from sua]], to join together.

• systole, to contract; the contraction of the heart.

• tensor, from tendo, to stretch. A name given to tfMuscles.

• teres, round, cylindrical.

• trachea, the wind pipe, so called from its roughness

Additional images

• 

  Older image of; Parts of the Human Body. Posterior and anterior view. From the 1933 Morris' Human Anatomy.

• 

  Human body features displayed on bodies on which body hair and male facial hair has been removed

See also

• Anthropometry
• Biological system
• Biomechanics
• Ergonomics
• Functional movement
• Histology - also known as Microscopic anatomy
• Human body
• Human physiological systems
• Human positions
• International scientific vocabulary
• Kinesiology
• Terminologia Anatomica

Anatomical terminology Resources
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