Core language
Anatomy
The study of body structure and relationships among structures.
The study of body structure and relationships among structures.
Physiology
The study of how body parts function.
The study of how body parts function.
Pathology
The study of structural and functional changes associated with disease.
The study of structural and functional changes associated with disease.
Etiology
The cause or origin of disease.
The cause or origin of disease.
Sign
Objective evidence that can be observed or measured.
Objective evidence that can be observed or measured.
Symptom
A subjective change reported or experienced by the client.
A subjective change reported or experienced by the client.
Anatomical position: standing erect with the feet flat, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward. Anatomical directions are described from this reference position.
Directional terms
Prone / Supine
Face down / face up.
Face down / face up.
Superior / Inferior
Above / below.
Above / below.
Anterior / Posterior
Front / back.
Front / back.
Medial / Lateral
Toward / away from the body's midline.
Toward / away from the body's midline.
Proximal / Distal
Nearer to / farther from a structure's origin.
Nearer to / farther from a structure's origin.
Superficial / Deep
Toward the surface / farther beneath the surface.
Toward the surface / farther beneath the surface.
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body.
On the same side of the body.
Contralateral
On the opposite side of the body.
On the opposite side of the body.
Palmar / Plantar
Palm of the hand / sole of the foot.
Palm of the hand / sole of the foot.
Central / Peripheral
Toward the center / away from the center.
Toward the center / away from the center.
Planes of the body
Midsagittal
Divides the body into right and left halves through the midline.
Divides the body into right and left halves through the midline.
Frontal / Coronal
Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.
Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.
Transverse / Horizontal
Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.
Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.
Oblique
Divides the body at an angle.
Divides the body at an angle.
Body movements
Flexion / Extension
Decrease / increase the angle at a joint.
Decrease / increase the angle at a joint.
Abduction / Adduction
Away from / toward the midline.
Away from / toward the midline.
Medial / Lateral rotation
Rotate toward / away from the midline.
Rotate toward / away from the midline.
Supination / Pronation
Turn the forearm so the palm faces up / down.
Turn the forearm so the palm faces up / down.
Elevation / Depression
Move superiorly / inferiorly.
Move superiorly / inferiorly.
Protraction / Retraction
Move anteriorly / posteriorly.
Move anteriorly / posteriorly.
Inversion / Eversion
Turn the sole medially / laterally.
Turn the sole medially / laterally.
Dorsiflexion / Plantar flexion
Bring the top of the foot toward the shin / point the foot downward.
Bring the top of the foot toward the shin / point the foot downward.
Circumduction
Circular movement combining flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction.
Circular movement combining flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction.
Lateral flexion
Bending the neck or trunk to the side.
Bending the neck or trunk to the side.
Body regions to recognize
Massage documentation and anatomy instruction frequently use regional terminology. Know these common terms:
Cervical · neck
Acromial · shoulder
Axillary · armpit
Brachial · arm
Acromial · shoulder
Axillary · armpit
Brachial · arm
Antecubital · front of elbow
Carpal · wrist
Thoracic · chest
Lumbar · low back
Carpal · wrist
Thoracic · chest
Lumbar · low back
Gluteal · buttock
Femoral · thigh
Crural · leg
Sural · calf
Femoral · thigh
Crural · leg
Sural · calf
Tarsal · ankle
Plantar · sole
Calcaneal · heel
Cephalic · head
Plantar · sole
Calcaneal · heel
Cephalic · head
Practice in lab
Place your partner in prone, supine, and side-lying positions and name each correctly.
Demonstrate flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation.
Use proximal/distal and medial/lateral to describe two structures on an extremity.
Identify which plane best matches three movements demonstrated by your partner.
Point to and correctly name at least eight body regions using anatomical terminology.
Check your understanding
1. A structure closer to the body's midline is described as what?
Medial. Lateral means farther from the midline.
2. What plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
Frontal, or coronal, plane.
3. Moving the arm away from the body's midline is what movement?
Abduction.
4. If a client is lying face up, what position are they in?
Supine.
5. What's the difference between a sign and a symptom?
A sign is objective and observable or measurable. A symptom is subjective and experienced or reported by the client.