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Terminology

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Terminology Glossary Picture Gallery


Naming Structures

Examples of how equivalent structures can be named from English, Latin or Greek

English Latin Greek
Chin Mental Genial
Bone like a Little Boat Navicular Scaphoid
Cheek Bone Malar Zygoma
Collar Bone Clavicle Cleido
Brooch Pin Fibular Peroneal
Wall Parietal Somatic
Internal Organ Visceral Splanchnic
The Arm and Shoulder Brachium Omos
Finger Bones Digits Phalanges

Examples of skeletal muscle names.

Skeletal muscles may have names related to their function, position or shape. Others have combined names (e.g. serratus anterior or palmaris longus)

Function
Flexor Carpi Radialis, Levator Scapulae, Erector Spinae, Extensor Indices, Levator Anguli Oris, Supinator, Pronator Teres, Abductor digiti minimi, Corrugator, Extensor Digitorum Brevis, Opponens Pollicis.

Position
Brachialis, Coracobrachialis, Tibialis Posterior, Infraspinatus, Peroneus Brevis, Supraspinatus, Tibialis Anterior, Interossei, Subscapularis.

Shape
Quadriceps,Triceps, Deltoid, Trapezius, Semitendinosus, Piriformis, Gracilis, Rhomboid Major, Teres Minor, Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Lumbricals.

Applying Terminology

All Anatomical terminology is defined with a model in the Anatomical position, the body in the upright standing position, palms facing forward. Terminology remains constant whatever the position taken up by the model. Structures nearer to the head (cranial) are superior, those closer to the tail end (caudal) are inferior.

The Anterior surface of the hand facing forwards is known as the Palmar surface.

The Posterior surface facing backwards is known as the Dorsal surface.

The Dorsal area may also be known as the Dorsum as in the Dorsum of the Foot.

A Plane parallel to the Anterior surface is known as a Coronal Plane.

A Plane at right angles to the Coronal Plane is termed the Sagittal Plane.

A Plane through the Midline of the body is called the Median Plane.

Structures near to the Midline of the body are Medial to the Midline and those structures farther away from the Midline are said to be Lateral to the Midline.

The Thumb is placed on the Lateral side of the Hand.

The Big Toe is placed on the Medial side of the Foot.

Distance from a feature is indicated by the words Proximal and Distal.

A feature placed Proximal may be defined as being nearer to and Distal as being farther away from a given point.

Superficial and Deep are used to describe depth of structures related to the surface of the skin.

The movement of Flexion takes place when the Anterior Surfaces are brought together (as in flexion of the elbow joint).

Adduction takes place when the structures are moved towards the Midline.

Abduction is brought about when limbs are moved away from the Midline of  the Trunk (as in raising the upper limbs to shoulder level).

Rotation of the limbs can be Medial or Lateral Rotation taking place at the 
Gleno-humeral Joint or Hip Joint.

Pronation and Supination occur when the Radius is rotated in respect to the position of the Ulna.

Inversion and Eversion take place in the Tarsal Joints of the Foot.

The Pre-Axial surface or border of a limb is the nearest border to the Head.

The Post-Axial surface or border of a limb is the nearest border to the tail end of the body.

 

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This page was last modified on 15 Nov 2000

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