introduction to human anatomy - terms of position and movement

Descriptive Anatomic Terms
It is important for medical personnel to have a sound knowledge and understanding of the basic anatomic terms.
With the aid of a medical dictionary, you will find that understanding anatomic terminology greatly assists you in
the learning process.
The accurate use of anatomic terms by medical personnel enables them to communicate with their colleagues both
nationally and internationally. Without anatomic terms, one cannot accurately discuss or record the abnormal functions
of joints, the actions of muscles, the alteration of position of organs, or the exact location of swellings or tumors.


Terms Related to Position
All descriptions of the human body are based on the assumption that the person is standing erect, with the upper
limbs by the sides and the face and palms of the hands
directed forward (Fig. 1.1). This is the so-called anatomic
position. The various parts of the body are then described
in relation to certain imaginary planes.
Median Sagittal Plane
This is a vertical plane passing through the center of
the body, dividing it into equal right and left halves
(see Fig. 1.1). Planes situated to one or the other side of
the median plane and parallel to it are termed paramedian.
A structure situated nearer to the median plane of the body
than another is said to be medial to the other. Similarly, a
structure that lies farther away from the median plane than
another is said to be lateral to the other.