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Palomar College |
Physiological Psychology |
DAY COURSE |
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Roger N. Morrissette, PhD |
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Anatomical Orientation
Objectives:
By the end of this laboratory you should be able to do the following:
Define and use anatomical terms used to denote a body part’s location and relative position.
Define and use anatomical planes of reference.
Identify the body cavity divisions and subdivisions.
Define and use fundamental neurobiology terminology.
Today’s laboratory offers an introduction to the terminology used in general anatomy and neuroanatomy. This is considered a foundation laboratory in that the terms you learn during this session will be applied throughout the remainder of the semester. This laboratory is about learning the language of physiological psychology. The brain is a complex place but as long as we understand how to read the road map we can all maneuver around with ease. Since the orientation terminology offers several choices and since different professionals use one or another term specifically in their preparations, it is imperative that you learn all of the terminology so as to be prepared for a specific usage that you may encounter. This laboratory is short and offers plenty of time to learn this new terminology. These terms are very important and I will be using them during the class lectures so you should make them part of your vocabulary as soon as possible. There are three laboratory exercises that you must complete satisfactorily before finishing the lab. Study well because these terms could make it to your first quiz or examination. Good luck.
Define and use anatomical terms used to denote a body part’s location and relative position.
The first thing you need to understand about orientation terminology is that because of the different anatomical positions in a 2-legged animal compared to a 4-legged animal, the orientation terms are somewhat different. Let’s first identify the fundamental terms used and then discuss the differences between 2-legged and 4-legged animals.
General Orientation Terminology:
Superior: towards the upper side Inferior: towards the lower side
Anterior: towards the front Posterior: towards the back
Medial: towards the middle Lateral: away from the middle
Cranial: towards the head end
Rostral: towards the head end Caudal: towards the tail end
Dorsal: towards the back Ventral: towards the belly
Central: the center of a spheroid organ Peripheral: along the outside of that organ
Superficial: towards the surface Deep: away from the surface
Proximal: close to a point of reference Distal: away from a point of reference
Ipsilateral: same side of the midline Contralateral: opposite side of the midline
As is shown in the figure below, because of the different orientation of 2-legged and 4-legged animals, the terminology used to describe location is different.
Notice how the relationship between the terms Dorsal-Ventral and Anterior-Posterior changes when we go from a 4-legged animal to a 2-legged animal. The following page displays the acceptable use of terminology when referring to the entire separated brain and spinal cord. It should be immediately apparent that there are many options to choose from. You will find that specific laboratories or authors tend to favor certain terminology over others. This is why you must become familiar with all possible descriptive options. We will be using these terms in this regard throughout the semester.
Lab Exercise 1: Using Orientation Terminology for 2-legged creatures.
Break up into groups of 2. After studying the directional terms above, I want you to write a complete sentence describing the orientation of your partner’s body parts both internal and external for all 19 of the terms described on the previous page. Each of you must write out your own list. Be creative but keep it professional. Always describe one body part relative to another. For example: Arnold’s nose is medial to his ears.
1. superior ________________________________________________________________________________.
2. inferior ________________________________________________________________________________.
3. anterior ________________________________________________________________________________.
4. posterior ________________________________________________________________________________.
5. medial ________________________________________________________________________________.
6. lateral ________________________________________________________________________________.
7. cranial ________________________________________________________________________________.
8. rostral ________________________________________________________________________________.
9. caudal ________________________________________________________________________________.
10. dorsal _______________________________________________________________________________.
11. ventral _______________________________________________________________________________.
12. central _______________________________________________________________________________.
13. peripheral _______________________________________________________________________________.
14. superficial _______________________________________________________________________________.
15. deep _______________________________________________________________________________.
16. proximal _______________________________________________________________________________.
17. distal _______________________________________________________________________________.
18. ipsilateral _______________________________________________________________________________.
19. contralateral _______________________________________________________________________________.
Lab Exercise 2: Using Orientation Terminology with 4-legged creatures.
Follow the guidelines for Exercise 1 but this time write a complete sentence describing the orientation of any 4-legged creatures body parts both internal and external for all 19 of the terms described on the previous page. As in the previous exercise, always describe one body part relative to another. Be creative and use a minimum of 5 different 4-legged animals.
1. superior ________________________________________________________________________________.
2. inferior ________________________________________________________________________________.
3. anterior ________________________________________________________________________________.
4. posterior ________________________________________________________________________________.
5. medial ________________________________________________________________________________.
6. lateral ________________________________________________________________________________.
7. cranial ________________________________________________________________________________.
8. rostral ________________________________________________________________________________.
9. caudal ________________________________________________________________________________.
10. dorsal _______________________________________________________________________________.
11. ventral _______________________________________________________________________________.
12. central _______________________________________________________________________________.
13. peripheral _______________________________________________________________________________.
14. superficial _______________________________________________________________________________.
15. deep _______________________________________________________________________________.
16. proximal _______________________________________________________________________________.
17. distal _______________________________________________________________________________.
18. ipsilateral _______________________________________________________________________________.
19. contralateral _______________________________________________________________________________.
Define and use anatomical planes of reference.
A section or plane is a cut through the entire body, individual organ, or tissue of an animal. These cuts can be done non-invasively with advanced imaging technology or invasively with surgical tools. The use of whole body, organ, and tissue sectioning has been very useful for the study of whole body anatomy and the neuroanatomy of the brain and spinal cord. We will be referring to these sectioning techniques throughout the semester. The figure below demonstrates the whole body sections of a 4-legged animal. Make sure to notice the subtle differences in choice of sectional terminology.
Section or Plane Terminology:
Transverse (Cross-Section or Horizontal) Plane: a section at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body or organ. This section divides the 4-legged animal into anterior and posterior regions and the 2-legged animal into superior and inferior regions.
Sagittal Section or Plane: a section or cut through the midline (midsagittal cut) or parallel to the midline (parasagittal cut). This cut divides the body into right and left sections.
Coronal or Frontal Section or Plane: This plane is parallel to the longitudinal axis separating a 4-legged animal into superior and inferior regions and a 2-legged animal into anterior and posterior regions.
Identify the body cavity divisions and subdivisions.
Body cavities organize the internal organs. The two main body cavities are the dorsal body cavity and the ventral body cavity. Within the dorsal body cavity lies the cranial cavity and the spinal cavity. Within the ventral cavity lies the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity. The thoracic cavity is further divided into the pleural cavities, the mediastinal cavity, and the pericardial cavity. The abdominal cavity is further divided into the abdominal cavity proper and the pelvic cavity. The figures below, demonstrate these cavities and the organs housed in each. A list and description of each is also given.
Dorsal Body Cavity: cavity along the backside of the animal
Cranial Cavity: formed by the skull and contains the brain
Spinal Cavity: formed by the vertebrae and contains the spinal cord
Ventral Body Cavity: cavity along the belly region
Thoracic Cavity: located above the diaphragm contains the chest organs
Pleural Cavities: surrounds both lungs individually
Mediastinal Cavity: cavity between the lungs contains the heart, trachea, esophagus and thymus gland
Pericardial Cavity: surrounds the heart
Abdominal Cavity: cavity below the diaphragm contains the viscera
Abdominal Cavity: contains the stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small and large intestines
Pelvic Cavity: contains the urinary bladder, sigmoid colon, rectum and internal reproductive organs
Define and use fundamental neurobiology terminology.
The following terms are commonly used when studying neurobiology. Please familiarize yourself with their definitions and usage as soon as possible. I will be using these terms during the class lectures and laboratories throughout the semester.
encephalon: the brain
gyri (gyrus): the ridges, hills, or bumps of the cerebral cortex
sulci (sulcus): the creases, valleys, or furrows of the cerebral cortex
nucleus: a distinct homologous group of cells in the CNS
ganglia: a distinct homologous group of cells in the PNS
nerves: a bundle of like axons in the PNS
fibers: a bundle of like axons in the CNS
tract: a bundle of fibers in the CNS connecting two areas or nuclei
bundle: a bundle of fibers in the CNS connecting two areas or nuclei
fasciculus: a bundle of fibers in the CNS connecting two areas or nuclei
lemniscus: a bundle of fibers in the CNS connecting two areas or nuclei
arborization: tree-like branching of dendrites
bifurcation: dendritic or axonal splitting as a “Y”
innervation: neuronal contact of one cell to another forming a synapse
synaptogenesis: the onset and formation of synapses
Lab Exercise 3: Using all of this valuable information
1. Match the terms on the right with the definitions on the left.
_____ A longitudinal cut, dividing body into right and left sides. 1. Cranial cavity
_____ The belly or underside. 2. Coronal Section
_____ Cavity containing the brain. 3. Posterior
_____ Transverse cut dividing the human body into superior and inferior. 4. Lateral
_____ Space between the membranes that surrounds the heart. 5. Pericardial Cavity
_____ Term meaning on the outside of an organ. 6. Sagittal Section
_____ Longitudinal cut dividing human body into posterior and anterior parts. 7. Mediastinum
_____ Either away from or to the side of the mid-region. 8. Ventral
_____ Cavity between the lungs. 9. Peripheral
_____ Rear end of a four-legged animal. 10. Cross Section
2. In which specific body cavities would the following organs be found?
a. Brain ____________________
b. Stomach ____________________
c. Heart ____________________
d. Thymus Gland ____________________
e. Spinal Cord ____________________
f. Pancreas ____________________
g. Lungs ____________________
h. Esophagus ____________________
i. Uterus ____________________
j. Liver ____________________
3. Fill in the correct term for location and position.
a. The human head is ______________________________ to the neck.
b. The cat head is _______________________________ to its neck.
c. The human neck is _______________________________ to the head.
d. The cat neck is _______________________________ to its head.
e. The elbow is _______________________________ to the wrist.
f. The eye is _______________________________ to the nose.
g. The ankle is _______________________________ to the knee.
h. The mouth is _______________________________ to the ears.
i. The tail of the cat is _______________________________ to the trunk.
j. The vertebral column of the cat is _______________________ and
_____________________ in position (use two different direction terms).
4. On the figure below, draw the following lines:
a. A red line to indicate a transverse section.
b. A blue line to indicate a midsagittal section.
c. A green line to indicate a parasagittal section.
