W1 L1
Lecture 1 – Anatomical terminology
Learning objectives
1. Define, commit to memory and demonstrate the terms relative to the anatomical position.
2. Describe the anatomical planes.
3. Define and demonstrate terms used to describe movements of limbs and vertebral column.
4. Define and describe the numerous prefixes used in regard to body parts and systems.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Anatomical position and anatomical planes
Anatomical position and planes
• The anatomical position represents an erect position of the body with the face directed forward,
the arms at the side, and the palms of the hands facing forward, functions as a reference point to
describe the relationship of body parts to one another
• Planes of reference are imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body into sections
o Sagittal plane (midsagittal or parasagittal)
▪ Divides body into left and right sections
o Coronal (frontal) plane
▪ Divides body into anterior and posterior
o Transverse (horizontal) plane
▪ Divides body into superior and inferior
Body regions Key body regions
• Brachial: relating to, or situated in the arm, divided into the anterior or posterior brachium
• Antebrachial: relating to the forearm, divided into the anterior or posterior antebrachium
• Thigh: the proximal segment of the lower limb extending from the hip to the knee, divided into the
anterior, posterior and medial thigh
• Leg: the distal segment of the lower limb extending from the knee and foot, divided into the
anterior, posterior and lateral leg
Descriptive anatomical terms
• Anterior (ventral)
• Posterior (dorsal)
• Superior (cranial, cephalad)
• Inferior (caudal)
• Medial
• Intermediate
• Lateral
• Proximal
• Distal
Movement terminology
• Flexion • Inversion
• Extension • Superficial (external, extrinsic)
• Abduction • Deep (internal, intrinsic)
• Adduction • Palmar
• Internal (medial) rotation • Plantar Anatomical position and terms of relationship
• External (lateral) rotation • Dorsal
• Circumduction (planar motion) • Bilateral
• Dorsiflexion • Unilateral
• Plantarflexion • Contralateral
• Eversion • Ipsilateral
Proximal and distal radioulnar joints
• Pronation
• Supination
• Opposition
• Reposition
Radiocarpal joint
• Ulna deviation (adduction)
• Radial deviation (abduction)
Vertebral Column
• Lateral flexion (lateral or side bending)
• Cervical flexion
• Cervical extension
• Cervical rotation
• Trunk rotation
Commonly used anatomical terms and prefixes
CHI108 Page 1
, • Cervical rotation
• Trunk rotation
Commonly used anatomical terms and prefixes
• Crest • Pollex • Suture
• Tubercle • Carpus • Costal
• Head • Visceral • Magnum
• Epicondyle • Cortex • Medulla
• Meatus • Gyrus • Sulcus
• Sinus • Conchae • Crural
• Tuberosity • Deltoid • Triceps
• Quadriceps • Bifurcation • Femoris
• Spine (of Scapula) • Inguinal • Canal
• Fissure • Biceps • Fovea
• Parietal • Foramen • Condyle
• Brachial • Fossa • Trochanter
• Hallux • Facet • Process
Lecture 1.2 – Joint structure
Learning objectives
1. Start to develop the skills required to effectively view major skeletal structures and discern what
structural aspect you are observing and what their important functional aspects are.
2. Determine the generalised gross structural organisation of the skeletal joints, fibrous,
cartilaginous and synovial. Terms of movement
3. Describe the general structures of a synovial joint and identify the specialised structures
associated with these joints that are not present in all synovial joint types.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Classification standards
• Joints are classified either structurally and/or functionally
• A structural classification is determined by the type of tissue that connects bones to each other Relationship between mobility and stability
(the basic tissue that constructs the joints)
o Fibrous joint: joined by dense regular connective tissue
o Cartilaginous joint: joined by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage
o Synovial joint: not directly joined, the bones have a synovial cavity and are
connected by an articular capsule and covered by associated accessory ligaments
• A functional classification is determined by the type and degree of movement between the
articulating bones
o Synarthrosis: permits little or no mobility, fibrous joints
o Amphiarthrosis: permits slight mobility, cartilaginous joints
o Diarthrosis: freely movable synovial joints which can be classified into six groups
according to the type of movement they allow
Joint structure in contrast to joint function
• Joints are described and studied via two over aching constructs “structure and function”
• A joint’s osseous structure dictates its functionality, hence its degree of mobility and stability
• Mobility and stability are inversely proportional to each other
• When mobility decreases stability increases, and vice versa
Fibrous joint structure
• There are three distinct sub-classifications within the fibrous joint structural classification
• Dense fibrous connective tissue binds the bones
• No joint cavity and mostly immovable
o Sutures
o Gomphosis
o Syndesmoses
Cartilaginous joint structure Cartilaginous joints
• Primary cartilaginous joints (synchondroses)
o Hyaline cartilage unites bones together allowing slight bending
o Temporary/developmental/allows for growth
▪ E.g., epiphyseal plate, costochondral joint
• Secondary cartilaginous joints (symphyses)
o Strong, slightly moveable joints united by fibrocartilage
o E.g. intervertebral discs = strong, flexible and good shock absorption, pubic
symphysis
Synovial joint structure
• Synovial joints are the most common and most movable type of joint in the human body
• Movement is achieved at the point of contact between the articulating bones
• Synovial joints are additionally sub-classified by their specific structure and functions
• Synovial joints contain the following structures
o Joint (articular) cavity
o Synovial fluid
o Articular cartilage
CHI108 Page 2
Lecture 1 – Anatomical terminology
Learning objectives
1. Define, commit to memory and demonstrate the terms relative to the anatomical position.
2. Describe the anatomical planes.
3. Define and demonstrate terms used to describe movements of limbs and vertebral column.
4. Define and describe the numerous prefixes used in regard to body parts and systems.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Anatomical position and anatomical planes
Anatomical position and planes
• The anatomical position represents an erect position of the body with the face directed forward,
the arms at the side, and the palms of the hands facing forward, functions as a reference point to
describe the relationship of body parts to one another
• Planes of reference are imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body into sections
o Sagittal plane (midsagittal or parasagittal)
▪ Divides body into left and right sections
o Coronal (frontal) plane
▪ Divides body into anterior and posterior
o Transverse (horizontal) plane
▪ Divides body into superior and inferior
Body regions Key body regions
• Brachial: relating to, or situated in the arm, divided into the anterior or posterior brachium
• Antebrachial: relating to the forearm, divided into the anterior or posterior antebrachium
• Thigh: the proximal segment of the lower limb extending from the hip to the knee, divided into the
anterior, posterior and medial thigh
• Leg: the distal segment of the lower limb extending from the knee and foot, divided into the
anterior, posterior and lateral leg
Descriptive anatomical terms
• Anterior (ventral)
• Posterior (dorsal)
• Superior (cranial, cephalad)
• Inferior (caudal)
• Medial
• Intermediate
• Lateral
• Proximal
• Distal
Movement terminology
• Flexion • Inversion
• Extension • Superficial (external, extrinsic)
• Abduction • Deep (internal, intrinsic)
• Adduction • Palmar
• Internal (medial) rotation • Plantar Anatomical position and terms of relationship
• External (lateral) rotation • Dorsal
• Circumduction (planar motion) • Bilateral
• Dorsiflexion • Unilateral
• Plantarflexion • Contralateral
• Eversion • Ipsilateral
Proximal and distal radioulnar joints
• Pronation
• Supination
• Opposition
• Reposition
Radiocarpal joint
• Ulna deviation (adduction)
• Radial deviation (abduction)
Vertebral Column
• Lateral flexion (lateral or side bending)
• Cervical flexion
• Cervical extension
• Cervical rotation
• Trunk rotation
Commonly used anatomical terms and prefixes
CHI108 Page 1
, • Cervical rotation
• Trunk rotation
Commonly used anatomical terms and prefixes
• Crest • Pollex • Suture
• Tubercle • Carpus • Costal
• Head • Visceral • Magnum
• Epicondyle • Cortex • Medulla
• Meatus • Gyrus • Sulcus
• Sinus • Conchae • Crural
• Tuberosity • Deltoid • Triceps
• Quadriceps • Bifurcation • Femoris
• Spine (of Scapula) • Inguinal • Canal
• Fissure • Biceps • Fovea
• Parietal • Foramen • Condyle
• Brachial • Fossa • Trochanter
• Hallux • Facet • Process
Lecture 1.2 – Joint structure
Learning objectives
1. Start to develop the skills required to effectively view major skeletal structures and discern what
structural aspect you are observing and what their important functional aspects are.
2. Determine the generalised gross structural organisation of the skeletal joints, fibrous,
cartilaginous and synovial. Terms of movement
3. Describe the general structures of a synovial joint and identify the specialised structures
associated with these joints that are not present in all synovial joint types.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Classification standards
• Joints are classified either structurally and/or functionally
• A structural classification is determined by the type of tissue that connects bones to each other Relationship between mobility and stability
(the basic tissue that constructs the joints)
o Fibrous joint: joined by dense regular connective tissue
o Cartilaginous joint: joined by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage
o Synovial joint: not directly joined, the bones have a synovial cavity and are
connected by an articular capsule and covered by associated accessory ligaments
• A functional classification is determined by the type and degree of movement between the
articulating bones
o Synarthrosis: permits little or no mobility, fibrous joints
o Amphiarthrosis: permits slight mobility, cartilaginous joints
o Diarthrosis: freely movable synovial joints which can be classified into six groups
according to the type of movement they allow
Joint structure in contrast to joint function
• Joints are described and studied via two over aching constructs “structure and function”
• A joint’s osseous structure dictates its functionality, hence its degree of mobility and stability
• Mobility and stability are inversely proportional to each other
• When mobility decreases stability increases, and vice versa
Fibrous joint structure
• There are three distinct sub-classifications within the fibrous joint structural classification
• Dense fibrous connective tissue binds the bones
• No joint cavity and mostly immovable
o Sutures
o Gomphosis
o Syndesmoses
Cartilaginous joint structure Cartilaginous joints
• Primary cartilaginous joints (synchondroses)
o Hyaline cartilage unites bones together allowing slight bending
o Temporary/developmental/allows for growth
▪ E.g., epiphyseal plate, costochondral joint
• Secondary cartilaginous joints (symphyses)
o Strong, slightly moveable joints united by fibrocartilage
o E.g. intervertebral discs = strong, flexible and good shock absorption, pubic
symphysis
Synovial joint structure
• Synovial joints are the most common and most movable type of joint in the human body
• Movement is achieved at the point of contact between the articulating bones
• Synovial joints are additionally sub-classified by their specific structure and functions
• Synovial joints contain the following structures
o Joint (articular) cavity
o Synovial fluid
o Articular cartilage
CHI108 Page 2
