Anatomy 1 – The Anatomical Position2.2 A Ball of A Time!

Anatomists have agreed on a standardised position for the human body in all cases. It is known as the anatomical position.

All the terms of direction that are important for describing the location of the muscles and bones are with respect to this position.

Terms of Direction

Anterior

On the front of the body or limb

Eg the chest is on the anterior aspect of the body

Posterior

On the back of the body or limb

Eg the calf muscles are on the posterior aspect of the lower leg

Terms of Direction

Inferior

Below or beneath

E.g The jaw is inferior to the maxilla

Superior

On top or above

E.g the shoulders are superior to the lower back.

Terms of Direction

Medial

Nearer the midline of the body

Eg The little fingers are on the medial aspect of the hand

Lateral

Further from the midline of the body

Eg The ears are a lateral feature of the head

Terms of Direction

Proximal

Nearer the body (usually refers to positioning a limb)

Eg The elbow is proximal to the wrist

Distal

Further from the body (usually refers to positioning on a limb)

Eg The phalanges are distal to the radius

Terms of Direction

Prone

Face down

Eg Press up position

Supine

Face up

Eg Sit up position

Terms of Direction

Superficial

Nearer the surface of the body

Eg Pectoralis major is a superficial muscle of the chest

Deep

Further from the surface of the body

Eg Ilio psoas is a deep muscle of the hip joint

Class Task

1. I am a large superficial muscle located on the anterior and medial aspect of the trunk.

2. I am a joint of the arm, distal to the shoulder and proximal to the wrist.

3. I am a group of vertebrae located superior to the thoracic vertebrae

4. Create three questions of your own and test your neighbour!