S.1.1 • FREE LESSON

General Anatomical Orientation

Start with the essential language used to describe the body's structures and locations.

01

What Is Anatomy?

Anatomy is the study of body structures. It focuses on what structures are and where they are located.

Remember: Anatomy = structure.
02

Anatomy vs. Physiology

Anatomy asks what a structure is or where it is located. Physiology asks what that structure does or how it works.

Quick check: Structure = anatomy. Function = physiology.
03

What Is Anatomical Position?

Anatomical position is the standard reference position used when describing where body structures are located.

Key features: Standing upright • feet together • arms at sides • palms forward.
04

What Does Superior Mean?

Superior means toward the upper part of the body or above another structure.

Example: The head is superior to the chest.
05

What Does Medial Mean?

Medial means closer to the body's midline.

Example: The sternum is medial to the ribs.
06

What Is the Sagittal Plane?

The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions.

Memory connection: Sagittal = Left + Right.
07

What Does Popliteal Mean?

Popliteal refers to the region at the back of the knee.

Example: The popliteal region is posterior to the patellar region.
These are the basics. Anatomical orientation includes many more directional terms, anatomical regions, body planes, and abdominal mapping concepts. The complete Nursing With Ima study set teaches and practices those concepts in greater depth.
S.1.1

EXPLORE ANATOMICAL REGIONS

Use the interactive figure to explore selected anatomical regions — click a region to learn its name and location.

Anterior (Front View) Move your cursor over a region · click to learn
Anterior and posterior anatomical body views

🧭 Directional Terms

Superior toward the head / above
Inferior toward the feet / below
Anterior toward the front
Posterior toward the back
Medial toward the midline
Lateral away from the midline
Proximal closer to the point of attachment
Distal farther from the point of attachment

🧠 Quick Memory Connections

Frontal Front + Back
Transverse Top + Bottom
Sagittal Left + Right
Popliteal Back of knee
Study Tip: Use the interactive figure to become familiar with anatomical terminology before moving into more detailed TEAS-style application.