Anatomical Terminology Dictionary: Grow Your Vocabulary, #9

By Blake Pieck

2nd Edition of my Human Anatomy Part One Dictionary. Focusing on Anatomical Terminology. Covering over 2039 words and phrases.

Step into the fascinating realm of human anatomy with our meticulously crafted Human Anatomy Part One Dictionary, designed to be your comprehensive guide through the intricate landscape of the human body.

Dive into the world of anatomical terminology, where clarity and precision are paramount. This section serves as your key to unlocking the language of anatomy, providing clear and concise explanations of essential terms. From directional terms like anterior and posterior, proximal and distal, to structural terms encompassing organs, tissues, and systems, this segment elucidates the fundamental vocabulary necessary for comprehending the intricate structure and dynamic functions of the human body.

Explore the interconnectedness of anatomical structures, understand how organs and systems work in harmony, and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and elegance of human anatomy. Whether you're a medical student, healthcare professional, anatomy enthusiast, or simply curious about the inner workings of the human body, this dictionary is your gateway to a profound understanding of anatomical concepts and terminology.

Prepare to embark on an enlightening journey of discovery as you unravel the mysteries of human anatomy, one term at a time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blake Pieck
• Release date: Sep 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223231448

Book preview

Anatomical Terminology Dictionary

A

Abdomen   -   Anatomical Position, Region   -   The area of the body between the thorax and pelvis. 

Abdominal Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Body Regions   -   A plane that divides the body into the upper (thoracic) and lower (abdominal) regions. 

Abdominothoracic   -   Directional Terms, Regions   -   Relating to both the abdomen and the thoracic cavity. 

Abduction   -   Anatomical Position, Movement   -   Abduction is the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body. 

Abduction Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Movement   -   A plane that describes the position when a limb is moved away from the body’s midline. 

Aberrant   -   Anatomical Position, Directional Term   -   Deviating from the normal or usual course. 

Aboral   -   Directional Terms, Relative Positions   -   Opposite to or away from the mouth. 

Accessory   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   Supplementary or additional, such as the accessory nerve. 

Accessory Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Variations   -   A secondary or supplementary plane to the primary anatomical planes. 

Acetabular   -   Directional Terms, Regions   -   Relating to the hip socket or acetabulum. 

Acetabular Axis   -   Planes and Sections, Bones   -   An imaginary line running through the hip socket or acetabulum. 

Acetabulum   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   The socket in the pelvis that articulates with the head of the femur. 

Acral   -   Directional Terms, Extremities   -   Relating to the extremities (hands and feet). 

Acromial   -   Directional Terms, Regions   -   Relating to the acromion, the lateral extension of the spine of the scapula. 

Acromial Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Bones   -   A plane that runs through the acromion, a bony process on the scapula. 

Acromio-Clavicular Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Joints   -   A plane that relates to the joint formed between the acromion and the clavicle. 

Acromion   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   The lateral projection of the scapula that forms the highest point of the shoulder. 

Adaxial   -   Directional Terms, Relative Positions   -   Situated on the side toward the axis or midline. 

Adducted Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Movement   -   A plane that describes the position when a limb is moved closer to the body’s midline. 

Adduction   -   Anatomical Position, Movement   -   Adduction is the movement of a body part toward the midline of the body. 

Adipose   -   Anatomical Position, Tissue Type   -   Adipose tissue is body fat or fat tissue. 

Adnexal   -   Directional Terms, Attachments   -   Referring to accessory or adjoining anatomical parts of an organ. 

Adrenal   -   Anatomical Position, Glandular Term   -   Relating to the adrenal glands, which produce hormones like cortisol. 

Adventitial   -   Directional Terms, Layers   -   The outermost layer of a blood vessel, organ, or other structure. 

Afferent   -   Anatomical Position, Directional Term   -   Conducting or directing inward or towards a structure (e.g., afferent nerves carry impulses to the CNS). 

Afferent Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Neural   -   A plane related to afferent or sensory pathways. 

Alar   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   Pertaining to the wing or wings; winglike. 

Alar Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Face   -   A plane that runs through the ala or wing of the nose. 

Alar-Zygomatic Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Face   -   A plane that runs between the ala of the nose and the zygomatic bone or cheekbone. 

Alveolar   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   Related to the small socket-like structures in the jaws or the air sacs of the lungs. 

Alveolar Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Dental   -   A plane related to the alveoli or sockets in the jaws holding the teeth. 

Alveolus   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   A small air sac in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place. 

Ampulla   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   An expanded portion or dilation in a canal or duct. 

Ampullary Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Organs   -   A plane that relates to the ampulla, a dilated portion of a duct or tube. 

Amygdala   -   Anatomical Position, Brain Structure   -   Almond-shaped part of the brain that plays a key role in processing emotions. 

Anal   -   Directional Terms, Openings   -   Relating to the anus or the opening at the end of the digestive tract. 

Anastomosis   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   A connection between two structures, such as blood vessels. 

Anastomotic   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   Relating to or denoting an anastomosis, the connection between two structures. 

Anatomic Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Fundamental Concepts   -   A standard plane used to describe locations and relations of body parts. 

Anatomical Alignment   -   Planes and Sections, Posture   -   Refers to the proper positioning of joints and limbs in relation to the body’s primary planes. 

Anatomical Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Fundamental Concepts   -   An anatomical plane is an imaginary flat surface used as a reference to describe the location or orientation of structures within the body. 

Anatomical Position   -   Directional Terms, Standard Reference   -   A standardized position where the body stands erect, facing forward, arms at sides with palms forward. 

Anatomical Reference Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Fundamental Concepts   -   A standard plane that serves as a point of reference for anatomical study. 

Anatomy   -   Anatomical Position, General   -   Anatomy is the study of the structure and organization of the body. 

Anconeal   -   Directional Terms, Regions   -   Relating to the anconeus, a small muscle of the elbow. 

Anconeus   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   A small triangular muscle at the posterior aspect of the elbow. 

Angular   -   Anatomical Position, Directional Term   -   At or forming an angle. 

Angular Axis   -   Planes and Sections, Movement   -   An imaginary line around which rotation occurs based on an angle. 

Angular Incision   -   Planes and Sections, Medical Procedures   -   A surgical cut made at an angle relative to the reference plane. 

Angular Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Geometry   -   A plane that defines or measures an angle within anatomical structures. 

Angular Section   -   Planes and Sections, Geometry   -   A section of a structure that is at an angle, not parallel or perpendicular to the reference plane. 

Ankle   -   Anatomical Position, Region   -   The joint connecting the foot with the leg. 

Ankle Axis   -   Planes and Sections, Joints   -   An imaginary line around which the ankle joint rotates. 

Ankle Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Joints   -   A plane that runs through the ankle joint, dividing it into different sections. 

Anodal   -   Directional Terms, Electrical Currents   -   Relating to the anode, or the positive pole in electrical therapy. 

Anomalous   -   Directional Terms, Conditions   -   Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected. 

Anserine   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   Refers to a part that resembles a goose, as in pes anserinus on the medial side of the knee. 

Antebrachial   -   Directional Terms, Regions   -   Relating to the forearm. 

Antecubital   -   Anatomical Position, Region   -   The space located at the front of the elbow. 

Antecubital Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Limbs   -   A plane that runs through the antecubital fossa, the front of the elbow. 

Anterior   -   Anatomical Position, Directional Term   -   Anterior refers to the front or forward-facing side of the body in the anatomical position. 

Anterior Median Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Directional Reference   -   A plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves at the front. 

Anterior Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Directional Reference   -   A plane that describes structures located towards the front of the body. 

Anterior Superior Iliac Spine   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   A bony prominence on the ilium, part of the pelvis, commonly used as a landmark in physical examination. 

Anterior-Posterior Axis   -   Planes and Sections, Directional Reference   -   An imaginary line running from the front to the back of a structure or body. 

Anterior-Vertical Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Directional Reference   -   A plane that divides anterior structures in a vertical orientation. 

Anterolateral   -   Directional Terms, Relative Positions   -   Located anteriorly and to the side. 

Anterolateral Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Directional Reference   -   A plane that describes structures located towards the front and side of the body. 

Anteromedial   -   Directional Terms, Relative Positions   -   Located anteriorly and toward the midline. 

Anteroposterior   -   Directional Terms, Axis   -   From the front to the back of the body. 

Anteroposterior Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Directional Reference   -   A plane that runs from the front to the back of the body. 

Antihelix   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   The curved prominence of cartilage parallel with and in front of the helix of the ear. 

Antitragus   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   A small tubercle on the external part of the ear, opposite the tragus. 

Antral   -   Directional Terms, Cavities   -   Relating to a cavity or chamber, often referring to the sinus or stomach. 

Antrorse   -   Directional Terms, Orientations   -   Directed forward or upward. 

Anular Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Geometry   -   A plane that circles or encloses a tubular structure. 

Anulus   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   A ring or ringlike structure. 

Anus   -   Anatomical Position, Region   -   The opening at the end of the digestive tract where bowel contents leave the body. 

Aorta   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   The main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart. 

Aortic   -   Directional Terms, Vessels   -   Relating to the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart. 

Aortic Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Organs   -   A plane that runs through the aorta, the main blood vessel of the body. 

Apex   -   Anatomical Position, Structural Term   -   Apex is the tip or highest point of a structure. 

Apex-Base Plane   -   Planes and Sections, Directional Reference   -   A plane that divides a structure from its tip or apex to its base. 

Apical   -   Directional Terms, Relative Positions   -   Pertaining to or