|
HAPSters,
Why not just use the body in the anatomical position, and state that everything forward of a coronal (frontal) plane is anterior?
I always make them smile with that plane when I then subdivide the body into into "frontal" and "backal".
(I'm not throwing Fido into the mix, because s/he is a quadrupedal non-human).
There has to be a reference point for any anatomical term; otherwise each makes no sense.
Bob
Robert S. Rawding, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Gannon University
109 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
Phone: (814) 871-5872 FAX: (814) 871-5757 From: HAPS-L-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Roberta Meehan Sent: Sat 9/8/07 4:18 PM To: HAPS-L@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [HAPS-L] Never assume... I am not totally convinced there is an answer to: "Define the term anterior." We have a number of terms in biology that can only be defined by their function or their negation or their characteristics or some such other non-definition. Anterior seems to be one of those words.
My personal opinion is that words such as anterior should be tested for in ways other than by asking for a definition. I would test for an understanding of anterior with a question asking for location, synonym, characteristic, relationship to, or other similar identifying features. Just my not so humble opinion.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2007 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: [HAPS-L] Never assume... I would not accept the definition. If I had asked, "Give me another name for anterior." then ventral would be okay - and not really because they are not the same thing. But I would accept that. If I said, "Define anterior." then I would expect a definition, not a synonym. Of course I have gone over all definitions with students during the preceeding classes so they know exactly for what type of answer I am looking. Otherwise, it is a guessing game.
When I ask for a definition, I also expect a complete sentence so that I know what they are talking about. It should start, "Anterior is ....." or "Anterior means ......" or whatever is suitable. I do not accept just a phrase or word because it does not tell me if the person knows or not. It is guessing on both of our parts. They hate it at first, but after a couple of months they appreciate what I am trying to accomplish - understanding what they mean. Of course, that means I have to teach them that a lot of words strung together is not necessarily a sentence.
Charlene
----- Original Message -----
From: Lapres, Jason H
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 12:08 PM
Subject: RE: [HAPS-L] Never assume... Ken et al.
How about this answer to “Define the term anterior.” “Anterior is the same as ventral. Anterior is opposite of posterior, which is the same a dorsal.”
I have a hard time with this because what they say is actually true, albeit odd. I am still confused as to whether or not they answered the questions. Yes anterior is the same as ventral and that would be a great answer if I could assume that they actually know the definition of ventral.
I continue to laugh…
Jason LaPres Associate Professor of Biology Human Anatomy and Physiology North Harris College 2700 WW Thorne Winship 210E Houston Texas 77090 281-618-7132 |