The document discusses directional terms used to describe locations of structures in the body. It defines eight directional terms - superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, proximal, and distal - and provides examples of where each term refers to on a picture of a body. It also compares directional terms to a compass rose as a way to explain how the terms describe locations in relation to other structures.

1. Directional Terms
Anatomical areas & location terms Megan Corradino Monday, septemeber
In this issue:
Te r m s d e s c r i b i n g b o d y s t r u c t u r e s
Discussing
Directional terms are used to describe directional terms
exactly where one body structure is in
relation to another. They are used as-
suming that the body is standing with
feet only slightly apart and the palms
facing forward (called the anatomical
position)
Superior = towards or at the upper part
of a structure
inferior = towards or at the lower part
of a structure
Anterior = towards or at the front of a
body
Posterior = towards or at the back of
the body
Medial = Towards or at the midline of
Directions and planes of the body..
the body/ on the inner side
Each
In this picture we see all the eight different Lateral = Away from the midline of the m r et la n oi t ce r i d
directional terms on display. We see where body/ on the outer side
a s ah ne t f o
each part is specifically placed.
h t iw tr a pr e tn u o c
ro es r ev n o c
et i so p p o
H ow o u r b o d y ’s r e l a t e t o c o m p a s s e s es e hT .g n in a e m
yr e v e ra sm r e t
The compass rose is a great
ne h w l uf e s u
way to explain directional
terms. Just like a compass’s eh t g n ib i rc s e d
east, west south and north, f o s no i ta c o l
the eight directional terms
are used to describe the .s e ru t cu r t s
locations of structures in
relation to other structures
in the body.

2. Structure & Function
A look into what’s underneath, and what it does! Anna Johnson, Gatlin 1
S t r u c t u r e : w h a t ’s i n m e ?
Our bodies are made up of layers, and in those In this issue:What
layers lay several different structures that humans makes my body
need. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to sur- move?
vive. The major aspects of human physical structure
are : Responsiveness, Conductivity, Immune, Circu-
latory, Integumentary, Growth, Secretion, Absorp-
tion, Reproduction, Respiratory, Excretory, Muscu-
lar, Skeletal and Digestive. Muscular
Each one has a job all it’s own and they all coexist helps us
with one another. The Digestive system cannot
move and
function without the Excretory system just as the
Circulatory system wouldn’t work without Absorp- Skeletal
tion. The Integumentary system keeps our exterior keeps us
apart from the interior. The Immune system stops
standing
viruses and harmful bacteria from destroying us. The
Skeletal system our body upright and protects our tall!
organs. Our muscular system keeps us moving and
pushes our involuntary muscles. Our Digestive sys-
tem turns food into waste and spreads nutrients
throughout the body. Circulatory pumps blood
For more information
through our veins. Respiratory fills our lungs with
A view from under the skin.. please see:
oxygen. Excretory removes unwanted waste. And
Reproduction helps create more life so that our www.notreal.com
“If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your race and continue and grow with all of our advanced
closet, you'd best teach it to dance. “ structures and functions. 1-800-pushups
-George Bernard Shaw http://ithurtsouch.com
Our bodies are sensitive and need proper www.isthatnormal.edu
care in order for them to keep working
on a regular basis. Eating healthy, means
making it easier on your digestive system, WARNING: The previous
breathing regularly means providing your websites are completely fake
muscles with oxygen, and keeping in and made up by the author.
shape helps put ease on your bones, Please do not contact for
muscles, and heart. Its easy to see if your medical help as this is
outside is working regularly but if you're advised as dangerous.
not certain about how your insides are Thank you.
doing, it is important to see a doctor
immediately. He can check for
irregularities or growths and make you
happy and healthy once more!

3. Homeostasis
In the 1800s, French physiologist, Claude Bernard came to
a realization that would begin studies on homeostasis. He
observed that body cells survived in a healthy condition
only when the temperature, pressure, and chemical
composition of their fluid environment remained relatively
constant. He noted that although our the environment
outside of the cells was constantly changing (ex: weather),
the internal environment (ex: body temperature) remained
stable. The reason being that every regulatory mechanism
of the body existed to maintain constant equilibrium of the
human body’s internal environment, also known as
homeostasis. The term homeostasis was coined by
American physiologist Walter B. Cannon. “Homeostasis is
the ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions
despite a changing external environment. Dynamic state of
French physiologist, Claude Bernard
was the first to make revelations on equilibrium, or balance. The body is said to be in
homeostasis homeostasis when its cellular needs are adequately met
Citation: Thibodeau , Gary A. , and Kevin
and functional activities are occurring smoothly. Virtually
T. Patton . Anthon'ys textbook of Anatomy
& Physiology . 17th . Missouri : Mosby , every organ system plays a role in maintaining the internal
2002. 1105. Print. environment.” Examples of homeostasis:
- temperature regulation
- Regulation of blood carbon dioxide level
- Regulation of blood glucose level

4. H u ma n O rga n iza t io n
The human body is organized systems working tissues in the human body include epithelial,
together to maintain equilibrium & good health, muscle, nervous, and connective tissues
essential to continue living. Organ level: an organ consists of 2 or more
There are seven structural levels: tissues that perform a particular function (ex:
heart, liver, stomach)
Chemical level: includes all chemical substances
(atoms, ions, & molecules) necessary for life. System level: an association of organs that
have a common function; there are 11 major
Organelle level: organelles are considered "tiny
systems in the human body; digestive,
organs" within a cell. Organelles are made of
nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory,
molecules, and molecules are made of atoms.
urinary, reproductive, muscular, lymphatic,
Organelles have specific functions within living
skeletal, and integumentary.
cells.
Organism level: this level describes how our
Cellular level: cells are the basic structural and
body is able to perform acts that aide in our
functional units of the human body & there are
survival.
many types of cells (ex: muscle, nerve, blood)
Tissue Level: A tissue is a group of cells that
perform a specific function and the basic types of

5. ATOMICAL PLANES
Frontal midstagill transverse
Anatomical Planes
The midsagittal plane is the plane that passes vertically through the body, dividing it
symmetrically into left and right halves. It passes through the midline structures such as
the spine and navel.
Transverse, frontal
The transverse plane is the plane
that passes horizontally through
the body at right angles to the
midsagittal and frontal planes. IT
divides the body symmetrically into
upper and lower halves.

6. Citations
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_directional_terms
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_directional_terms
http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/a/aa072007a.htm
http://soleus89.wordpress.com/
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/skeleton.html
http://www.kiwinutritioncounseling.com/mindful-mondays-food-for-thought/341/attachment/girl-eating-chocolate-cake-280x280
Works cited
"Midsagittal plane ." n.pag. Web. 9 Sep 2012. <http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Midsagittal_plane>.
Transverse Plane n.pag. Web. 9 Sep 2012. <http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/transverse plane>.
"Plane." n.pag. Web. 9 Sep 2012. <http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/frontal planes>.