Anatomical Terminology 2022

GKT School of Medical Education
Dr. Mandeep Gill Sagoo

Department: Anatomy
Topic: Anatomical Terminology

Teaching Objectives
Define and demonstrate terms relative to anatomical positions and planes.
Define and demonstrate terms used to describe the anatomical movements.

History of Human Anatomy
Galen, Leonardo da Vinci, Vesalius
De Humani Corporis Fabrica, is the only known first-hand portrait of

Vitruvian Man by the Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci Vesalius, shown with a partly dissected corpse. It is conceived and
(in 1492) representing ideal human body proportions. written by 28-year-old Andreas Vesalius (c.1514-1564), a professor at
the University of Padua.
Ways to explore Anatomy
Ways to explore anatomy Study of the structures of the body, their relationships and function
Regional anatomy Head and neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis, trunk, upper limbs and lower limbs
Systemic anatomy Integumentary, nervous, circulatory, muscular, skeletal, lymphatic, endocrine, respiratory,
digestive, reproductive systems
Microscopic anatomy Microscopic structure of tissues and organs
WHY? Clinical and applied anatomy

Keep asking yourself: Medical imaging
Why am I learning this ? ………And beyond its confines - in arts, science fiction, bioengineering, 3D
How can I apply this ? printing - Synthetic anatomy !
Anatomy beyond its confines
Theo Jansen’s wind propelling moving animal sculptures - Valentino Braitenburg’s vehicle
Strandbeest evolution 2017
Anatomy beyond its confines at King’s College
Lets start with the central concept of ‘The Anatomical Position’
A concept used for all description of location within the body.
General description is:

• A person standing upright, facing forward.
• Arms straight and hands held by the hips, palms facing forward.
• Feet parallel and toes pointing forward.
Anatomical Planes
• The anatomical planes are lines used to divide the human body which are very useful to understand cross-sections
and medical imaging.
• 3 planes commonly used are: coronal, sagittal and transverse plane.
Anatomy and spatial skills quizzes

Anatomical Terms of location
Anterior
Posterior
Superior
Inferior
Medial
Lateral
Proximal
Distal
Superficial
Deep
Q: In the anatomical position is your shoulder proximal or distal to your elbow ?

Q: Is your thumb medial or lateral to your palm?
Terms of location in embryology and neuroanatomy
Anatomical Terms of movement – the only to learn is by getting involved!
As the body moves the brain grooves!!
Flexion movement that decreases the angle between two body parts with respect to anatomical position OR
Bending towards the embryological front of the body
Extension movement that increases the angle between two body parts with respect to anatomical position OR
Straightening or bending to the embryological back of the body
Anatomical Terms of movement.
Abduction movement away from the midline
Adduction movement towards the midline
Medial rotation rotating movement towards the

midline
Lateral rotation rotating movement away from the
midline
Anatomical Terms of movement..
Supination keeping the elbow and

shoulder still, flip your hand
with palm facing up
Pronation flip your hand with palm
facing down
Anatomical Terms of movement…
Dorsiflexion It refers to decreasing the
angle with regard to the
anatomical position, so that
the foot points more
superiorly. Embryologically it
is an extension at the ankle
joint
Plantarflexion It refers to increasing the
angle with regard to the
anatomical position, so that
the foot points inferiorly.
Embryologically it is a flexion
at the ankle joint
Anatomical Terms of movement…
Inversion movement of the sole

towards the median plane
Eversion movement of the sole away
from the median plane
Anatomical Terms of movement….
Circumduction conical movement of a limb

extending from the joint at which
the movement is controlled
Opposition movement that brings the thumb and

little finger together
Reposition movement that moves the thumb and
the little finger away from each other,
effectively reversing opposition
Hand movements
Anatomical Terms of movement…..
Protraction movement of protruding or ‘reaching

out’ to something
Retraction Movement of retracting or picking
something up
Elevation movement in a superior direction
Depression movement in an inferior direction

Let’s find all the anatomical movements covered so far in a Pixar short film – float
https://www.irancartoon.com/site/video/float-full-sparkshort-pixar
Watch carefully and be ready to play a game on wooclap 

Body sections and parts
Axial skeleton Appendicular skeleton
Upper appendicular
Cephalic region
region
Lower appendicular
Cervical region
region
Thoracic region
Abdominal region
Pelvic region
Body quadrants and regions
Quadrants
Upper right
Subcostal plane
Lower right
Transtubercular
plane
Upper left
Lower left
Why am I learning this?
Homework  - To find out the answer - google ‘appendicitis - NHS’ and ‘Acute cholecystitis -
NHS’. We are looking for any relation between these regions above and symptoms. Lets see if
we can figure this out.
Summary
• The anatomical position, planes and movements
• Body sections, parts, quadrant and regions
Reference List
• Essential Clinical anatomy by Keith L. Moore, Anne M.R. Agur and Arthur F. Dalley
• Gray’s Anatomy for Students by Susan Standring
• Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy
• http://teachmeanatomy.info
• Emedicine.medscape.com
Thank you
Contact details:
Dr. Mandeep Gill Sagoo
[email protected]
© King’s College London. All rights reserved

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GKT School of Medical Education

Dr. Mandeep Gill Sagoo

Topic: Anatomical Terminology

Define and demonstrate terms relative to anatomical positions and planes.

Define and demonstrate terms used to describe the anatomical movements.

De Humani Corporis Fabrica, is the only known first-hand portrait of

WHY? Clinical and applied anatomy

General description is:

Anatomy and spatial skills quizzes

Q: In the anatomical position is your shoulder proximal or distal to your elbow ?

Abduction movement away from the midline

Adduction movement towards the midline

Medial rotation rotating movement towards the

Supination keeping the elbow and

Inversion movement of the sole

Circumduction conical movement of a limb

Opposition movement that brings the thumb and

Protraction movement of protruding or ‘reaching

Elevation movement in a superior direction

Depression movement in an inferior direction

Watch carefully and be ready to play a game on wooclap 

Axial skeleton Appendicular skeleton

© King’s College London. All rights reserved

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