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Learn about the Anatomical Position and Directions for precise body structure descriptions. Ideal for anatomy enthusiasts and students!

Lesson 1: Anatomical Position & Anatomical Directions

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 This is an anatomical reference position - the body in a standing position, eyes and head forward, arms at sides with palms forward, and feet together and parallel.

Anatomical directions are terms used to describe a location on the body. Many of the words have roots that may look familiar to you. Note, all anatomical directions are paired; that is to say, each has an opposite. The anatomical directions are paired with an opposing direction; superior (toward the head) is paired with inferior (toward the bottom), medial (toward the middle) is paired with lateral (toward the side), anterior (toward the front) is paired with posterior (toward the back), proximal (near the center) is paired with distal (further from center), cranial (toward the head) is paired with caudal (toward the tail), supine (face up) is paired with prone (facedown), dorsal (on the top) is paired with plantar (on the bottom), and sometimes dorsal (on the back) is paired with ventral (on the front).

The standard anatomical position is a reference position for describing where a body structure is located, and anatomical directions (e.g. anatomical terms of location) are terms for describing the relative location of a cavity, body part, or structure. If we think of the body like a map, the anatomical position tells us which way our map should face, and anatomical directions tell us how to get to our destination. These terms are "professional jargon," but they are important for improving our ability to describe anatomy with more detail and accuracy.

For example, using this terminology, we could describe the stomach's position as follows: In anatomical position, the stomach is located proximally (toward the center of the body), within the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), inferior to the liver and superior to the transverse colon, deep or posterior to the abdominal wall and rectus abdominis muscles, and superficial or anterior to the pancreas and spine.

Students have often remarked that taking their first anatomy courses feels like trying to learn a new language, and that is a great analogy for the first few lessons of 

. The first 6 lessons, or so, are exactly that, "learning the language of anatomy." Why does it feel like a 

 language? Well, it actually is a new language for most of us (or a really old language), as most terms have Latin roots (some Greek). Just as you would practice using new vocabulary in a language class, you will need to do the same with new terms you learn in this course. Grab a co-worker, classmate, or colleague; make flashcards, use practice exams to quiz one another, and copy the "Anatomy Simon Says" activity from this course. The most important thing to do is practice using the terms.

Knowledge of the anatomical positions and directions is essential education for all sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, etc.). This course is essential for learning anatomy, and the next lesson in these 

. More advanced courses on anatomical structures, movement analysis, health and wellness, fitness, sports performance, strength and conditioning, physical rehabilitation, etc. will continue with the expectation that the student thoroughly understands these terms.

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An image of anatomical position, facing forward, arms down, and head looking straight ahead

Course Summary: Anatomical Position and Anatomical Directions

Anatomical Position & Anatomical Directions

Anatomical Postitions and Directions Course Study Guide

Course Study Guide: Anatomical Positions and Directions

Students have often stated that taking an anatomy course for the first time is like trying to learn a new language…and what a great analogy for these introductory lessons. The first 6 lessons, or so, are exactly that, "learning the language of anatomy". Why does it feel like a 

First, it is… well… actually it's an 

). Just as you would practice using new vocabulary in a Spanish class, you will need to do the same with new terms you learn in this course. Grab a co-worker, classmate, or colleague; make flashcards, use practice exams to quiz one another, play "Anatomy Simon Says", or try to teach one another some portion of the lesson. The most important part is not necessarily the activity (if you are a student, there is no need to spend hours devising lessons), but the practice of using the words in a conversation. When appropriate I will list the etymology (the origin of a word) of anatomical terms. In time, you will start to notice common roots, suffixes, and prefixes making memorization easier. Soon you will find that you can even extract the definition of a word by breaking it into parts.

 ˈjär-gən, -ˌgän): the language used for a particular activity or by a particular group of people (

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jargon

The use of Anatomy jargon is no different than the way computer programmers use various words to describe code (or even the coding itself for that matter), or teenagers using chopped-up abbreviations while texting. Anatomical terminology is a specific language to unify and ensure clarity among health professionals. Whether showing someone how to squat or performing delicate surgery, the details count and having a specific language helps.

Anatomy (Etymology) - late Middle English: from Old French 

Description of Anatomical Terminology

In this video, we define and describe anatomical positions and anatomical directions. Anatomical directions are used to describe the location of various landmarks and structures in the body, with more accuracy than more conventional language. This course includes an example of anatomical position, and many examples of anatomical directions. This is foundational knowledge for all movement professionals, personal trainers, physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, etc.

Video Lesson: Anatomical Position and Anatomical Directions

For the purpose of analysis, a reference position is needed. Many of our terms, actions, positions, etc., are relative to the body being in the following position:

An anteiror view of anatomical position in a male and female, with body facing forward, arms down, and head looking straight ahead

Depiction of Anatomical Position with two figured (male and female) - By Connexions - http://cnx.org/content/m47807/latest/, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29624327

Anatomical Position

Anatomical directions are terms used to describe a location on the body. Many of the words have roots that may look familiar to you. Note that all anatomical directions are paired; that is, each has an opposite. Play along with the video or test yourself with the activity below, "Anatomical Direction Simon Says."

 – closer to the trunk or center of the body

 – further from the trunk or center of the body

 – Toward the tail (or toward the feet)

Cardinal image depicting the directional terms associated with anatomy

Cardinal Image depicting the directional terms associated with clinical anatomy - By Connexions - http://cnx.org, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29624321

Anatomical Directions

Simon Says Directions

Simon Says Answer Key

Activity: Anatomical Direction Simon Says

Superior and Inferior

Medial and Lateral

Anterior and Posterior

Supine and Prone

Proximal and Distal

Ventra, Dorsal, Plantar, and Volar (Palmar)

Caudal and Cranial

Additional Information: Opposing Anatomical Directions

Carolyn Richardson, Paul Hodges, Julie Hides. Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbo Pelvic Stabilization – A Motor Control Approach for the Treatment and Prevention of Low Back Pain: 2nd Edition (c) Elsevier Limited, 2004

John V. Basmajian, Carlo J. De Luca. Muscles Alive: Their Function Revealed by ElectroMyography. 1985

Bibliography

Questions, comments, and critiques are welcome and encouraged.

Lesson 1: Anatomical Position & Anatomical Directions

Related Courses:

Course Summary: Anatomical Position and Anatomical Directions

Course Study Guide: Anatomical Positions and Directions

Description of Anatomical Terminology

Video Lesson: Anatomical Position and Anatomical Directions

Anatomical Position

Anatomical Directions

Activity: Anatomical Direction Simon Says
2 Sub Sections

Additional Information: Opposing Anatomical Directions
7 Sub Sections

Bibliography

Related Courses:

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Lesson 1: Anatomical Position & Anatomical Directions

Related Courses:

Course Summary: Anatomical Position and Anatomical Directions

Course Study Guide: Anatomical Positions and Directions

Description of Anatomical Terminology

Video Lesson: Anatomical Position and Anatomical Directions

Anatomical Position

Anatomical Directions

Activity: Anatomical Direction Simon Says2 Sub Sections

Additional Information: Opposing Anatomical Directions7 Sub Sections

Bibliography

Related Courses:

Comments

Guest

Activity: Anatomical Direction Simon Says
2 Sub Sections

Additional Information: Opposing Anatomical Directions
7 Sub Sections