Medical Terminology

General Anatomical Terms

When describing a structure, we refer to the anatomic position of the body. Anatomic position refers to the body,

standing upright, eyes facing forward, arms to the sides with the palms facing forward, the legs parallel with the toes point forward.

Anatomic Position

Anatomic position

From this frame of reference, we aim to be more and more specific in our terminology.

Anatomic position

The front of the body, shown to the left, is ANTERIOR. If the image were reversed and we could see backside of the image that would be POSTERIOR.

Anatomic position

With the line drawn, we refer to things which are closer to that line as MEDIAL. Parts of the body that are further away from that line are LATERAL.

Relational Terminology

Structures on the trunk which are closer to the head than another are SUPERIOR Structures on the trunk which are closer to the legs than another are INFERIOR.

Relational Terminology

Two examples: The head is SUPERIOR to the lungs. The stomach is INFERIOR to the lungs.

Relational Terms

With respect to the point of attachment to the trunk, structures which attach closer are PROXIMAL. Those which attach further are DISTAL.

Relational Terms

For example The ulna is PROXIMAL to the carpals and DISTAL to the humerus. The metacarpals are DISTAL to the carpals and PROXIMAL to the phalanges.

Term Usage

We can use these terms to describe the relative location of one structure or location to another. Sometimes, we will use two separate words to describe the relationships. For example, in the lower leg the fibula is both lateral to the tibia, proximal to the talus, and distal to the femur.

Term Usage

Sometimes we combine the words into a single word in order to describe a position or relationship. For example, there are two menisci in the knee, a medial and lateral one. For these structures there are more anteromedial (front-side and toward the midline) and posterolateral (backside and away from the midline) regions.

Suffixes and Prefixes

There are a plethora of suffixes and prefixes to be aware of which help to identify structures.

Suffixes and Prefixes

Element costarthrchondros- or oste-itis -malacia my-/myoten-/tend-/tendinMeaning ribs joint cartilage bone inflammation softening muscle tendon

Suffixes and Prefixes

Costal Costochondral Ossify Osteitis Chondritis Chondromalacia Arthritis Myotome

Body Tissues

There are numerous tissues in the body which help to hold various structures together, to generate motion, and to protect the joints and other structures.

Body Tissues

Bones are the structural component of the body They are composed largely of calcium and are rigid. Bones give shape to the body and serve as the attachment points for other tissues

Body Tissues

Ligaments are fibrous tissues which connect one bone to another. They have elastic properties which allows them to deform and stretch to allow motion.

Body Tissues

Muscles are the contractile unit of the body. Muscles' function is to generate motion at a joint.

Body Tissues

Tendons connect muscles to bones. The action of muscles pulling on the tendon is the mechanism of joint motion.

Body Tissues

Nerves are electrical conductors. They transmit sensory information from the extremities to the brain They also transmit instructions from the brain to the various muscles and internal organs

Body Tissues

Cartilage lines the ends of long bones and exists within the joints. Cartilage provides nutrients to the bones, protects the ends of bones, and absorbs shock during motion.

Muscle Actions

Flexion: Decreasing the measure of a joint angle Extension: Increasing the measure of a joint angle

Muscle Actions

Adduction: Drawing a limb toward the midline Abduction: Drawing a limb away from the midline

Muscle Actions

Rotation: Circular movement around an axis

Muscle Actions

Pronation: Turning the palm down (away from anatomic position) Supination: Turning the palm upward (into anatomic position)

Muscle Actions

Eversion: movement of the sole of the foot outward Inverstion: movement of the sole of the foot inward

Muscle Actions

Dorsiflexion: Drawing the foot and toes toward the nose Plantarflexion: Pointing the toes downward (action of stepping on the gas pedal)

Look for a quiz on this material later in the week.