anatomical direction terms

The body is standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward.

The body is lying down with arms and legs spread out.

The body is sitting with legs crossed and hands on knees.

The body is bent forward with hands touching the toes.

Anatomy studies the structure of body parts, while physiology studies their function.

Anatomy studies the function of organs, while physiology studies their structure.

Anatomy focuses on diseases, while physiology focuses on health.

Anatomy is only about humans, while physiology is about all living things.

Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ system, Organism

Cellular, Chemical, Tissue, Organ, Organ system, Organism

Chemical, Tissue, Cellular, Organ, Organ system, Organism

Tissue, Chemical, Cellular, Organ, Organ system, Organism

Body erect

Feet slightly apart

Palms facing backward

Thumbs point away from body

Superior – toward the head

Inferior – away from the head

Anterior – toward the back of the body

Medial – toward the midline

Proximal

Distal

Lateral

Medial

Lateral

Medial

Distal

Contralateral

The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles.

The lungs are superficial to the skin.

The heart is superficial to the arm.

The knee is superficial to the thigh.

Sagittal

Transverse

Frontal

Oblique

Frontal (coronal) plane

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Oblique plane

Median (midsagittal) plane

Thoracic cavity

Cranial cavity

Abdominal cavity

Pelvic cavity

Heart

Liver

Stomach

Bladder

Appendicular skeleton

Axial skeleton

Vertebral column

Pelvic cavity

The ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes

A process that only involves chemical factors

A static state of equilibrium in the body

A condition where only neural factors are involved