Introduction

The human body, of course has many bends and protrusions. This makes the anatomist difficult to describe the body structures. To prevent misunderstanding, the anatomist use universally accepted terms to identify body structures precisely and with minimum words. That's why the language of anatomy is presented.
    Before that, there are some basic terms we should know.

• anatomy- study of  the structures and shape of the body and its parts
• physiology- study of how the body and its parts work or function
• gross anatomy - large structures and easily observable
• micro anatomy- very small structures and can only seen under microscope

Anatomical Positions, Planes & Directions

Anatomical Positions

The body supposed to be in erect posture with arms hanging by sides and the palms of hands are directed forward.There are two body positions which are prone and supine positions.

• prone position- body is lying with face down.
• supine position - body is lying on  plane with face up.

Figure 1.0 The body position

  

                                                                     

Anatomical Planes

 Figure 1.2 Body planes

Plane	Definitions
Frontal or coronal plane (“crown”)	v  It is perpendicular to median plane. v  Divides the whole body into the front and back halves of body.
Transverse	v  Divide the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts
Sagittal	v  It divides body into left and right parts v  Mid-sagittal plan (median plane), pass through midline and divide body into left and right parts. v  Parasagittal, off to one side and divide body into unequal right and left parts

 Table 1.0 Body planes and definition

Anatomical Directions
Directional terms describe the positions of one structure or part of the body relative to another part or structure of body. directional terms can be describe as shown figure shown below.

Figure 1.3 Body directions.

Term	Definition
Anterior or ventral	Nearer to front of the body or toward the front
Posterior or dorsal	After, behind or toward the back
Inferior or caudal	Below or at a lower level
Proximal	Closer to the origin
Distal	Away from the center of body
Medial	Toward the mid-line of body
Ipsilateral	On the same side of body
Deep	Away from surface of body
Superficial	Toward or at the body surface
Intermediate	Between two structure



Table 1.1 Directional terms and explanation