Which regional term designates the posterior aspect of the elbow

Directional Terms Certain directional anatomical terms appear throughout this and any other anatomy textbook Figure 1. Anterior or ventral describes the front or direction toward the front of the body.

The toes are anterior to the foot. Posterior or dorsal describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella. Superior or cranial describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris. Inferior or caudal describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column.

The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen. Lateral describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb pollex is lateral to the digits. Medial describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe. Proximal describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium. Distal describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

The crus is distal to the femur. This region pushes out when the diaphragm contracts during breathing. The right lumbar region consists of the gallbladder, the right kidney, part of the liver, and the ascending colon. The left lumbar region consists of the descending colon, the left kidney, and part of the spleen. The umbilical region contains the umbilicus navel , and many parts of the small intestine, such as part of the duodenum, the jejunum, and the illeum.

It also contains the transverse colon the section between the ascending and descending colons and the bottom portions of both the left and right kidney. The right iliac region contains the appendix, cecum, and the right iliac fossa. It is also commonly referred to as the right inguinal region. Pain in this area is generally associated with appendicitis.

The left illiac region contains part of the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the right illiac fossa. It is also commonly called the left inguinal region. The hypogastric region below the stomach contains the organs around the pubic bone. These include bladder, part of the sigmoid colon, the anus, and many organs of the reproductive system, such as the uterus and ovaries in females and the prostate in males.

Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology. Search for:. Mapping the Body. Anatomical Position When an organism is in its standard anatomical position, positional descriptive terms are used to indicate regions and features. Learning Objectives Describe the standard position in human anatomy. Key Takeaways Key Points In standard anatomical position, the limbs are placed similarly to the supine position imposed on cadavers during autopsy.

The anatomical position of the skull is the Frankfurt plane. In this position, the lower margins of the orbitals eye sockets , the lower margin of the orbits, and the upper margins of the ear canals poria lie in the same horizontal plane. Because animals can change orientation with respect to their environments and appendages can change position with respect to the body, positional descriptive terms refer to the organism only in its standard anatomical position to prevent confusion.

Key Terms appendage : A limb of the body. Directional Terms Positional terms give precise descriptions of anatomical relationships and allow for consistency when referencing anatomical positions.

Learning Objectives Identify the anatomical terms that define the human body in space. Key Takeaways Key Points Descriptions of directional terms include: a superior head and inferior caudal , b anterior and posterior, c lateral and medial, d deep and superficial, e proximal and distal, and f dorsal and ventral.

Directional terms provide comparison of anatomical position by comparing the locations of different structures in the body. Key Terms directional terms : Directional terms are words used to describe the location of an anatomical structure by comparing its position to other structures within the body or within the orientation of the body itself.

Regional Terms and Axes Regional directional terms include anterior and posterior, dorsal and ventral, and lateral and medial. Learning Objectives Describe how axes give direction, detail, and location when describing a region of the body. Key Takeaways Key Points Regional terms describe the different parts of the body by the structures and functions of a specific region.

The most basic regional terms are the axial and appendicular regions. Axes use directional terms to describe the location and orientation of a specific region. The directional term lateral is used to describe structures divided by a left-to-right axis. Key Terms ventral : On the front side of the human body or the corresponding surface of an animal, usually the lower surface.

Body Planes and Sections There are three basic reference planes used in anatomy: the sagittal plane, the coronal plane, and the transverse plane. Learning Objectives Identify the three basic anatomical reference planes. Key Takeaways Key Points A coronal or frontal plane divides the body into dorsal and ventral back and front, or posterior and anterior portions. A transverse plane, also known as an axial plane or cross-section, divides the body into cranial and caudal head and tail portions.

Superior or cranial - toward the head end of the body; upper example, the hand is part of the superior extremity. Inferior or caudal - away from the head; lower example, the foot is part of the inferior extremity. Anterior or ventral - front example, the kneecap is located on the anterior side of the leg. Posterior or dorsal - back example, the shoulder blades are located on the posterior side of the body. Medial - toward the midline of the body example, the middle toe is located at the medial side of the foot.

Lateral - away from the midline of the body example, the little toe is located at the lateral side of the foot. Proximal - toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part example, the proximal end of the femur joins with the pelvic bone.

Opening Statements. Miranda Rights. Resna Exam Terminology Part1 A-d. This is part 1 of terminology starting with the letter A-D. This is a timed quiz you will have 31 mins. Good Luck! Questions: 56 Attempts: Last updated: Dec 31,