Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory OER

Identify and explain the following main terms used in anatomy and use appropriate terminology to describe the location of body structures.

1. Superior
2. Inferior
3. Anterior
4. Posterior
5. Medial
6. Lateral
7. Ventral
8. Proximal
9. Distal
10. Superficial
11. Deep
12. Rostral
13. Caudal
14. Frontal Plane
15. Sagittal Plane
16. Transverse Plane
17. Prone
18. Supine
19. Axillary
20. Oral
21. Orbital
22. Buccal
23. Cervical
24. Thoracic
25. Lumbar
26. Sacral
27. Antecubital
28. Umbilical
29. Abdominal
30. Inguinal
31. Femoral
32. Brachial
33. Gluteal
34. Pubic
35. Patellar
36. Digital
37. Occipital
38. Deltoid
39. Scapular
40. Dorsal
41. Popliteal
42. Sural
43. Calcaneal
44. Abdominopelvic Quadrants (upper and lower)
45. Abdominopelvic Regions

• Models
  • None
• Videos
  • Introduction to Human Body video
• Virtual Lab on McGraw Hill Connect
  • Online Lab 1: First lab orientation
• OpenStax Human Anatomy and Physiology textbook 
  • Chapter 1.6

1. Superior ​(or cranial) - describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris.
2. Inferior (or caudal) - describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column). The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.
3. Anterior (or ventral) - Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the foot.
4. Posterior (or dorsal) - Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella.
5. Medial - describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe.
6. Lateral - describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits.
7. Ventral - describes the front or direction toward the middle of the body. The toes are ventral to the foot.
8. Proximal - describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium.
9. Distal - describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur.
10. Superficial - describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.
11. Deep - describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skull.
12. Rostral - describes a position toward the forehead
13. Caudal - describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also referred to as inferior
14. Frontal Plane - vertical plane; divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions
15. Sagittal Plane - vertical plane; divides the body or organ into right and left sides
16. Transverse Plane - horizontal plane; divides the body or organ into superior and inferior portions
17. Prone - face down orientation.
18. Supine - face up orientation.
19. Axillary - axilla or armpit 
20. Oral - oris or mouth 
21. Orbital - oculus, ocular, eye
22. Buccal - cheek 
23. Cervical - neck 
24. Thoracic - superior division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses organs such as the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea
25. Lumbar - lumbus/loin 
26. Sacral - sacrum 
27. Antecubital - antecubitis or front of elbow 
28. Umbilical - umbilicus or navel 
29. Abdominal - abdomen
30. Inguinal - inguen or groin
31. Femoral - femur or thigh 
32. Brachial - brachium or arm 
33. Gluteal - gluteus or buttock 
34. Pubic - pubis 
35. Patellar - patella/kneecap 
36. Digital - digits, phalanges, fingers, toes, or phalangeal 
37. Occipital - Located near the occipital bone or rear of the head 
38. Deltoid - the thick muscle that creates the rounded lines of the shoulder, is the major abductor of the arm, but it also facilitates flexing and medial rotation, as well as extension and lateral rotation.
39. Scapular - related to the scapula/shoulder blade
40. Dorsal (aka posterior) - describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. Ex: the popliteus is posterior to the patella.
41. Popliteal - popliteus/back of knee 
42. Sural - sura/calf 
43. Calcaneal - calcaneus/ heel of foot 
44. Abdominopelvic Quadrants - the four quadrants: the right upper (RUQ), right lower (RLQ), left upper (LUQ), and left lower (LLQ) 
45. Abdominopelvic Regions - nine abdominal regions: right hypochondriac, right lumbar, right iliac, epigastric, umbilical, hypogastric (or pubic), left hypochondriac, left lumbar, and left iliac divisions.

Module 1 McGraw Hill Connect APR Cadaver Activity