Basic Terminology

I. Introduction

1. Anatomy: Studies shape and structure of the body a. Gross anatomy: large structures studied looking at their shape and external features b. Microscopic anatomy: use of microscopes to study fine details (histology: tissues, cytology: cells)

2. Physiology: studies the function of each body part and how the functions coordinate to form a complete organism

II. Terminology

1. anatomical position: position used when referencing all other movements and directions: head forward, arms at side, palms forward

2. sagital: the plane that runs longitudinally and divides the body or organ into right and left portions

3. midsagital (median): the plane that runs longitudinally and divides the body or organ into EQUAL right and left portions

4. frontal (coronal): the plane that runs longitudinally and divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions

5. transverse: the plane that runs horizontally across the long axis of the body or organ and divides it into superior and inferior parts

III. Directional and Positional Terms

6. anterior: situated at or directed toward the front of the body

7. Posterior: situated at or directed toward the back of the body

8. Cranial: towards the head

9. Caudal: toward the tail

10. Superior: situated towards the head

11. Inferior: situated towards the feet 12. Medial: pertaining to or directed toward the midline (medial plane)

13. Lateral: pertaining to or directed away from the midline

14. proximal: used when describing a point on an appendage: nearest the point of reference or to the point of attachment

15. distal: used when describing a point on an appendage: farthest from the point of reference or to the point of attachment

16. Superficial: pertaining to the surface of the body

17. Deep: away from the surface of the body, more internal

IV. Terms of Basic Anatomy

18. ligament: a band of tough connective tissue connecting bone to bone

19. tendon: fibrous cord of connective tissue continuous with the fibers of a muscle; connect muscle to bone

20. joint: the junction or union between two or more bones

21. cartilage: the gristle or white elastic substance attached to articular bone surfaces and forming parts of the skeleton

22. bone: the hard, tough, elastic material that forms the skeleton; composed primarily of calcium salts

23. muscle: type ot tissue containing fibers that contract; when working together they can move a body part or organ

24. fascia: band or sheath of connective tissue the encases muscle and/or tendons

25. bursa: a sack or sack-like cavity in the vicinity of a join which acts to reduce friction around a joint

26. extremity: a limb or appendage

V. Terms of Movement

27. range of motion (ROM): the amount of normal movement of a particular joint of the body 28. abduction: to move away from the center or midline

29. adduction: to move towards the center or midline

30. flexion: to decrease the angle of a joint: to bend a limb 31. 32. extension: to increase the angle of a joint: to straighten a limb

33. rotation: to move a limb around a joint axis

34. circumduction: to move joint in a circle

35. plantarflexion: to point the toes/foot down (stand on tip-toes)

36. dorsiflexion: to pull the toes/foot up

37. inversion: to rotate foot so that sole of the foot is facing in

38. eversion: to rotate foot so that the sole of the foot is facing out

39. pronation: to rotate palms/forearm so that they are facing posteriorly (when in anatomical position)

40. supination: to rotate palms/foream so that they are facing anteriorly (when in anatomical position)

41. valgus: force directed towards the midline of the body

42. varus: force directed away from the midline of the body

VI. Injury Terms

1. acute: having sudden onset and short duration

2. chronic: having a gradual onset and long duration: showing little change or extremely slow progression over a long period of time

3. Sprain: injury to a ligament

4. Strain: injury to a muscle or tendon 5. sign: objective evidence of an abnormal situation within the body

6. symptom: subjective evidence of an abnormal situation within the body