Anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body and the relationship between its various parts. To accurately describe body structures, anatomists use a standardized anatomical position.
In the anatomical position:
- The body stands erect.
- Arms are at the sides.
- Palms face forward.
- Feet are parallel.
Important anatomical planes include:
- Sagittal Plane
- Coronal Plane
- Transverse Plane
Directional terms are essential in medical communication:
- Superior vs Inferior
- Anterior vs Posterior
- Medial vs Lateral
- Proximal vs Distal
- Superficial vs Deep
Body cavities include:
- Cranial cavity
- Thoracic cavity
- Abdominal cavity
- Pelvic cavity
High-Yield FCPS Points
- Median plane divides body into equal halves.
- Coronal plane divides body into anterior and posterior parts.
- Transverse plane divides body into upper and lower parts.
- The diaphragm separates thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Clinical Correlation
Radiological imaging such as CT and MRI are interpreted according to these anatomical planes.
