Name: anatomical direction and body position
Uploaded: 2025-05-22T09:05:53.000Z
Duration: 1 min 14 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

ohios-learning-standards-and-model-curriculum

Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

9-12

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Levels Of Organization

Anatomical Terminology

Directional Terms

Les termes directionnels cartographient l’emplacement relatif des parties du corps en utilisant la position anatomique standard comme référence.
Dans cette posture verticale, l’avant du corps est la face antérieure ou ventrale, et le dos est la face postérieure ou dorsale. Par exemple, le cœur est en avant de la colonne vertébrale et en arrière du sternum.
Les termes supérieur et inférieur font référence à la position des parties du corps par rapport à la tête et aux pieds. La poitrine est supérieure aux genoux mais inférieure à la tête.
Médiale et latérale indiquent l'emplacement vers ou loin de la ligne médiane du corps. La poitrine est médiale aux bras et les oreilles sont latérales à la tête.
Proximal et distal désignent les parties du corps les plus proches ou les plus éloignées du tronc. Par exemple, le coude est proximal au poignet et la cheville est distale au genou.
De même, le terme superficiel signifie plus proche de la surface, tandis que profond signifie éloigné de la surface. La peau est superficielle jusqu’aux os, tandis que le cœur est profond.

termes directionnels

Les termes directionnels sont essentiels pour décrire les emplacements relatifs des différentes structures corporelles. Par exemple, un anatomiste pourrait décrire une bande de tissu comme étant « inférieure à » une autre, ou un médecin pourrait décrire une tumeur comme étant « superficielle à » une structure corporelle plus profonde. Ces termes utilisent souvent des termes comparatifs par paires pour décrire les emplacements relatifs d'une partie du corps par rapport à une autre, ou les descriptions des tissus corporels tels que les plus profonds par rapport à ceux superficiels, en référence à la position anatomique de référence standard verticale du corps. 

 Des termes comme « antérieur » ou « ventral » décrivent l'avant ou la direction vers l'avant du corps. Les orteils sont antérieurs au pied. En revanche, « postérieur » ou « dorsal » décrivent l'arrière ou la direction vers l'arrière du corps. Par exemple, le muscle poplité est postérieur à la rotule. La paire contrastante de termes, « supérieur » et « inférieur », se réfère à une position relative à la tête et aux pieds, respectivement. Le terme Supérieur fait référence à une position au-dessus ou plus haute qu'une autre partie du corps. Les orbites sont supérieures à l'orbiculaire des lèvres. En revanche, le terme inférieur décrit une position en dessous ou plus basse qu'une autre partie du corps, près ou vers la queue (chez les humains, le coccyx ou la partie la plus basse de la colonne vertébrale). Le bassin est inférieur à l'abdomen. 

 De même, les termes médial et latéral indiquent la position vers la ligne médiane du corps ou loin de cette zone. Latéral décrit le côté ou la direction vers le côté du corps. Le pouce (pollex) est latéral aux doigts. Médial décrit le milieu ou la direction vers le milieu du corps. L'hallux est l'orteil médial. 

 Le terme « intermédiaire » est également utilisé fréquemment, il localise une structure présente entre deux structures. Par exemple, le côlon transverse est intermédiaire entre le côlon ascendant et le côlon descendant. De plus, l'emplacement de la clavicule est intermédiaire entre l'épaule et le sternum. 

 L'autre ensemble de termes relatifs comprend proximal vs distal, où le premier décrit la position du membre plus proche du tronc du corps, et le second indique la position plus éloignée du tronc du corps, comme le brachium qui est proximal à l'antebrachium, et le crus qui est distal au fémur. 

 De même, le terme « superficiel » décrit une position plus proche de la surface du corps. La peau est superficielle aux os. Le terme « Profond » décrit une position plus éloignée de la surface du corps. Le cerveau est situé profondément dans le crâne. 

 De plus, quelques termes rarement utilisés, tels que ipsilatéral et controlatéral, fournissent des descriptions de la structure à partir d'une autre structure corporelle située du même côté ou des côtés différents du corps. Par exemple, la position du côlon ascendant et de la vésicule biliaire est ipsilatérale ; cependant, le côlon ascendant et le côlon descendant sont controlatéraux. 

 Ce texte est partiellement adapté de l'<a href="https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/">Openstax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e, Section 1.6: </a>Anatomical Terminology

Termes directionnels

Les termes directionnels sont essentiels pour décrire les emplacements relatifs des différentes structures corporelles. Par exemple, un anatomiste pourrait décrire une bande de ...

Education

Enseignement

JoVE Core

Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomie et physiologie

Unit 1

Unité 1

Introduction to the Human Body

Introduction au corps humain

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

TERMES ET CONCEPTS CLÉS

anatomical direction and body position

Anatomical direction and body position terms help describe where one body structure is located in relation to another. These terms use comparisons, such as one tissue being inferior to another or a tumor being superficial to a deeper structure. They are based on the standard anatomical reference position, which uses the body in an upright pose.

Anterior and posterior are a common pair of directional terms. Anterior, also called ventral, means toward the front of the body. Posterior, also called dorsal, means toward the back of the body. For example, the toes are anterior to the foot, and the popliteus is posterior to the patella.

Another pair is superior and inferior. Superior means above or higher than another body part. Inferior means below or lower than another body part, toward the feet or tail region. The orbits are superior to the orbicularis oris, and the pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.

Medial and lateral describe location relative to the body’s midline. Lateral means toward the side of the body, while medial means toward the middle. The thumb, or pollex, is lateral to the digits. The hallux is the medial toe. The term intermediate is also used for a structure that lies between two others, such as the transverse colon between the ascending and descending colon. The collarbone is intermediate between the shoulder and the breastbone.

Proximal and distal are used mainly for limbs. Proximal means nearer to the body’s trunk, and distal means farther from the trunk. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium, and the crus is distal to the femur. Superficial means closer to the surface of the body, so the skin is superficial to the bones. Deep means farther from the surface, and the brain is deep in the skull. Some terms are used less often, such as ipsilateral, which means on the same side, and contralateral, which means on opposite sides. The ascending colon and the gall bladder are ipsilateral, while the ascending and descending colon are contralateral.

Anatomical Direction and Body Position

overview of anatomy and physiology

How Anatomy and Physiology Work Together

Human anatomy studies the structures of the body. Some body structures are so small that they can only be seen and examined with a microscope. Others are large enough to be viewed, handled, measured, and weighed. The word anatomy comes from a Greek root meaning “to cut apart.” Early study of the human body began with observing the outside of the body and the injuries seen in soldiers and other patients. Later, physicians were allowed to dissect dead bodies to learn more. Dissection means...

structural organization of the human body: an overview

structural-organization-of-the-human-body-an-overview

Levels of Organization in the Human Body

The human body is organized in levels that build from simple parts to a complete living being. These levels increase in complexity from subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules to organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the organism. At the chemical level, scientists study the smallest building blocks of matter. Matter is made of elements, which are pure substances such as hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and iron. The smallest unit of an element is an atom, and...

functions of life

How the Human Body Keeps Going

Human life depends on metabolism, movement, development, growth, and reproduction. These functions help the body stay alive, maintain itself, and continue the species. Together, they show how the body uses energy and changes over time. Metabolism is the body’s use of energy and food molecules. It helps the body make fuel for movement, support body functions, and build and maintain body structures. Metabolism includes two kinds of reactions: anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is the process...

requirements for human life

Human Survival Needs in the Body

Human survival depends on air, water, food, a narrow temperature range, and a narrow range of atmospheric pressure. The Earth and its atmosphere provide these conditions, but the body can only function well when they stay within limits. Oxygen is one of the most important needs. Atmospheric air is only about 20 percent oxygen, but that oxygen supports the chemical reactions that keep the body alive, including the reactions that make ATP. Brain cells are especially sensitive to a lack of oxygen...

what is homeostasis?

Homeostasis and Negative Feedback

Homeostasis keeps the body’s internal conditions stable. The body does this by holding each physiological condition near a set point. A set point is the value around which the normal range changes, and the normal range is the small group of values that is healthiest and most stable. Human body temperature is a common example. Its set point is about 37°C, or 98.6°F, and it can shift a little above or below that point while still staying in range. Negative feedback helps maintain homeostasis.

negative and positive feedback

Feedback Loops in Body Balance

Negative and positive feedback help keep body conditions stable. These feedback loops control many body processes and support homeostasis, which is the maintenance of a steady internal environment. Negative feedback reduces a change and brings a system back toward its normal state. Positive feedback increases a change and pushes a process further in the same direction. Together, they show how the body can fine-tune responses when conditions shift. These control systems are important in many...

homeostatic imbalance

How Feedback Failure Disrupts Homeostasis

Homeostasis keeps the body’s internal conditions stable so cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems can work properly. The body uses control systems to regulate temperature, blood pressure, pH balance, and fluid balance. These controls depend on feedback loops, which can be positive or negative. Homeostatic imbalance happens when those feedback loops fail and the body can no longer maintain a stable internal environment. Injury, disease, environmental changes, genetic mutations, and aging can...

anatomical terminology

Anatomical Terms and Body Position

Anatomical terms help describe the human body clearly in biology and medicine. Health care professionals and anatomists use this standard language to avoid confusion and to make descriptions more precise. Most anatomical words come from Greek and Latin roots, and these roots usually stay the same because the languages are rarely used in everyday conversation. Many anatomical words are built from a root plus a prefix or suffix. The root often names an organ, tissue, or condition. The prefix or...

anatomical positions

Body Positions Used in Anatomy

Body positions used in anatomy give a shared way to describe where body parts are and how they face. These standard references help people talk about anatomical structures with the same meaning. The anatomical position is the main reference point for body orientation. In anatomical position, the body stands upright and faces forward. The feet are parallel and flat on the floor. The arms rest at the sides with the palms facing forward, and the head and eyes point forward. The most common...

regional terms

Anatomy Regions and Body Landmark Terms

Anatomy regions and body landmark terms help identify specific parts of the human body. These regional terms divide the body into areas with structures that support similar functions. They also make it easier to describe the exact area affected by an injury or disease. The human body is organized into two major regions: the axial region and the appendicular region. The axial region includes the body from the head to the abdomen and forms the central body axis. The appendicular region includes...

directional terms

Anatomical direction and body position terms help describe where one body structure is located in relation to another. These terms use comparisons, such as one tissue being inferior to another or a tumor being superficial to a deeper structure. They are based on the standard anatomical reference position, which uses the body in an upright pose. Anterior and posterior are a common pair of directional terms. Anterior, also called ventral, means toward the front of the body. Posterior, also...

body planes

Anatomy Sections and Body Planes

Anatomy sections and body planes are imaginary flat surfaces used to divide the body for study. They help show the orientation, relationships, and spatial layout of anatomical structures. These reference planes are also useful for describing organs and body parts in a standard way. The sagittal plane divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. When that cut goes through the middle and makes equal halves, it is called the midsagittal or median plane. When it makes unequal...

anatomical movements

Body Joint Motion Terms

Body joint motion terms describe how bones and muscles move at different joints. These standard names make it easier to talk about range of motion in the body. They are used to describe actions at the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist, fingers, toes, and spine. Flexion and extension are movements in the sagittal plane, also called the anterior-posterior plane. Flexion is the forward bending motion of the head or vertebral column. Extension is the backward movement or straightening of a joint,...

abdominal regions and quadrants

Abdominal Pain and Organ Location

The abdominal cavity is divided into quadrants and regions to help locate organs and describe pain clearly. Clinicians and anatomists use imaginary lines to mark the abdominopelvic cavity. This system makes it easier to communicate about a patient’s symptoms or a suspicious mass. The simpler method divides the area into four quadrants. One horizontal line and one vertical line cross at the umbilicus, or navel. These quadrants are the right upper quadrant, right lower quadrant, left upper...

key terms and concepts

Learn anatomical direction terms for describing body structures, including anterior, posterior, superior, inferior, medial, lateral, proximal, distal, superficial, and deep.

Anatomical Direction and Body Position | JoVE K12

anatomy and physiology

JoVE Core Anatomy and Physiology showcases the anatomical and physiological details of the human body in comprehensive, clear, and engaging video animations. This collection of lessons focuses on the structures, components, functions, and requirements of the human body. It is complemented by scientist-in-action videos that demonstrate the application of this knowledge in real-world medical and research settings.

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Functions of Life

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Hierarchy of Organization

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Hierarchy of Organization

Tissues

Tissues are a group of cells that share a common embryonic origin. Microscopic observation reveals that the cells in a tissue share morphological features ...

The Scientific Method

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Inductive Reasoning

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Deductive Reasoning

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Correlation and Causation

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Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the science of defining and naming groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. It uses a hierarchy of increasingly ...

Phylogeny

Phylogeny is concerned with the evolutionary diversification of organisms or groups of organisms. A group of organisms with a name is called a taxon ...

Types of Tissues

Content elaboration: The human body is comprised of four types of tissues: epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous. This topic includes a broad overview of the structure, function and location of each tissue type. Tissues can be studied as an independent unit or as they are encountered within each organ system. Investigations are used to understand and explain types of tissues in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that can incorporate evolutionary concepts, scientific reasoning, comparative analysis, communication skills and real-world applications.

Types of Tissues

What is Homeostasis?

Maintaining homeostasis requires that the body continuously maintain its internal conditions. Each physiological condition has a particular set point, ...

Negative and Positive Feedback

Homeostatic Imbalance

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Feedback Loops

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Content elaboration: Homeostasis is a theme that is explored throughout the course. Homeostasis involves positive and negative feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust the body's internal conditions (e.g., temperature regulation, pH, hormone regulation, blood pressure, hemostasis). At times, there can be a disruption (or disruptions) in the feedback loops, creating an imbalance. This homeostatic imbalance can result in a variety of conditions.

Homeostasis

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Anatomical Positions

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Regional Terms

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Body Planes

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Anatomical Movements

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Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient&#39;s abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians ...

Anatomical Terminology

Content elaboration: Standard anatomical position is to be used as a reference point. Each area of the human body is identified by region. The features and structures of the body, relative to each other, are described by directional terms. The body and its organs can be divided by planes. The organs are located in cavities.

Anatomical Direction and Body Position

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