The

Human Body

Anatomic Terms
Anatomic Position
Midline

Right

Bilateral

Unilateral

Midclavicular
Midaxillary

lines

lines

Left

Lateral
Medial

Midaxillary
line

Midline

Proximal
Distal

Other terms:
Posterior
Anterior
Ventral
Dorsal
Superior
Inferior
Proximal
Distal
Palmar
Plantar

Descriptive
Anatomic Terms

Positional
Terminology

Prone

Positional
Terminology

Supine

Positional
Terminology

Fowlers

Positional
Terminology

Trendelenburgs

Positional
Terminology

Shock Position

Positional
Terminology

Recovery Position

Medical
Terminology

Examples of Prefixes
Prefix

Meaning

Example

Bi

both, both sides

bilateral

Epi

upon

epigastric

Hype

above, excessive hypertension

under, below

hypothermic

Hypo

between

intercostal

Inter

after, behind

postnatal

Post

before, in front

preoperative

Pre

Examples of Root Words

Root
Word
Cardio-

Meaning
heart

Cerebro-

brain

Gastro-

stomach

Nephro-

kidney

Osteo-

bone

Phlebo-

vein

Thorac-

chest

Examples of Suffixes
Suffix

Meaning

Example

-centesis surgical puncture

pericardiocentesis

-ectomy

excision

appendectomy

-itis

inflammation

peritonitis

-meter

instrument to measure
thermometer

-ostomy

surgical opening

colostomy

-paresis

partial paralysis

hemiparesis

-scopy

visual examination bronchoscopy

Examples of Abbreviations
Abbreviation

Definition

AMI

acute myocardial infarction

CCU

coronary care unit

CHF

congestive heart failure

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disea

CVD

cerebrovascular disease

ECG

electrocardiogram

IV

intravenous

Body Systems

The Respiratory
System

The respiratory system

takes oxygen from the air
to the blood for transport to
cells
excess

and rids the body of

carbon dioxide.

Upper airway:
Extends from the mouth and
nose down to the trachea.

The Upper Airway

Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Epiglottis
Vocal cords
Trachea

The Larynx
Thyroid
cartilage

Cricothyroid
membrane

Cricoid ring

Lower airway:
Extends from the trachea
down to the lungs.

Lower Airway
Upper
lobe
Middle
lobe
Lower
lobe

Trachea

Trachea and Bronchi

Trachea
Left
Bronchus

Right
Bronchus

The Alveoli

Bronchiole

Alveoli

Lung ventilation:
Inhalation begins with
contraction of the
diaphragm and the
intercostal muscles.
Exhalation begins with the
relaxation of the intercostal
muscles and diaphragm.

Breathing
Inhalation

Exhalation

Chest
contracts

Chest

Gas Exchange
Alveolus
Blood
Alveolar/capillar
y interface

Blood

Body cells

Cellular/capilla
ry interface
Capillary

Normal Respiratory Rates

Adult:12 - 20/minute

Children: 15 - 30/minute

Infants:

25 - 50/minute

Breath sounds can be heard

with proper use of a
stethoscope.

Accessory breathing muscle

Muscles used to draw air
into the chest, such as the
neck and abdominal
muscles.
Use of these muscles
is a sign of respiratory
distress.

Tidal volume:
Amount of air exchanged in one
breath.
For example: 70 kg patient
700 mL
700 mL
420-490 mL

10 mL/kg if intubated
10 mL/kg BVM without O2
6-7 mL/kg if BVM with O2

*BVM bag valve mask

Pediatric Anatomy
Considerations

Children are NOT small adults.

Adult vs Child Respiratory

Anatomy

Proportionately larger tongue

Narrower and shorter trachea

Trachea easily kinked by improper positioning

Chest-wall very pliable

Larynx is more anterior

Weaker intercostal muscles

Requires more use of diaphragm

Compariso
n of the
diameter
of the
childs
trachea
versus the
adults.
Adult
(20 mm)

Infant
(4
mm)

The Circulatory System

(Cardiovascular System)

External View of Heart

Superior
vena
cava
Aorta
Coronary
arteries

Internal View of Heart

Atria

Ventricles

Automaticity:
The ability of cardiac muscle
cells to generate their own
contractions.
The heart has its
own conduction
system

Arterial System
Carotid
artery
Brachial
artery
Radial
artery
Femoral
artery

Venous System
External
jugular
Inferior
vena cava
Femoral
vein
Great
saphenous

Capillary:
The smallest blood vessel in
the body where the
exchange of oxygen, carbon
dioxide, nutrients and waste
occurs with the cell.

Blood Composition

Red blood cells - Hemoglobin, carries oxygen

White blood cells - fights infection

Platelets - forms clots to stop bleeding

Plasma - Fluid that carries cells and platelets

The BP is a measure of the

pressure exerted against the
arterial walls...

TH-1

when the left ventricle

contracts (systolic) and
relaxes (diastolic).

Systolic
(top number)

Diastolic
(bottom number)

Perfusion:
The process of delivering blood
to the organs, delivering
oxygen, and removing wastes.

The skin condition is a

good indicator of
perfusion. The skin should
be pink, warm and dry.

Shock:
A state or condition of
inadequate perfusion to the
organs and tissue
(hypoperfusion).
In medical shock, the skin can
become pale, cool and clammy.

Take a short break!

The Musculoskeletal
System

The
Skeletal
System

The Skull

Orbital

Nasal
Maxilla
Mandible

The Skull
Parietal
Temporal

Occipital

Mandible

Frontal

The
Spinal
Column

Cervical

Thoracic

(7)

(12)

Lumbar

(5)

Sacral (5)
Coccyx (4)

The Rib Cage

Manubrium
Sternum

Xiphoid
process

Ribs

The Pelvis

Ilium

Pubic
symphysis

Ischium
Acetabulum

Upper
extremity

Lower
extremity

The Lower
Extremities
Patella
Fibula

Tibia

Femur

The Foot

Phalanges

Metatarsals

Tarsals

C4-35

The Upper
Extremities

Humerus

Scapula
Ulna

Metacarpals
Phalanges

Radius

Carpals

Knee - Hinge Joint

Hip - Ball and Socket

Joint

Types of Muscle Tissue

Skeletal (voluntary)

Smooth (involuntary)

Cardiac

Skeletal Muscles

Voluntary muscles:
Muscles that require
conscious thought for
movement (skeletal
muscles).

Smooth muscle
can be found
throughout the
digestive
system.

Involuntary muscles:
Muscles that do not require
conscious thought for
movement (smooth
muscles).

Cardiac muscle is found

only in the heart.

The Nervous System

Central nervous system (CNS):

Consists of the brain and
spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system:

Consists of the sensory and
motor nerves that lie outside
the skull and spinal cord.

Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic

Increases heart rate

Blood vessels constrict
Bronchi dilate

Parasympathetic

Decreases heart rate

Promotes digestive activity
Constricts the pupils

The Nervous
System
Brain
Spinal
cord

Peripheral nerves

Motor nerves
carry signals
from the CNS to
skeletal
muscles...
sensory
nerves carry
signals from
the skin to the
CNS.

Motor
nerve

Sensory
nerve

The Skin

Skin Functions

Environmental barrier
Prevents bacterial or viral invasion

Temperature regulation

Sensory organ

The Skin

Epidermis

Dermis

Subcutaneous
Sweat gland

Hair

Sebaceous
gland

The Digestive
System

Abdominal Quadrants

Right
Upper
Right
Lower

Left
Upper
Left
Lower

Abdominal Organs

Hollow organs

Stomach
Intestines
Urinary bladder

Solid organs

Liver
Pancreas
Spleen

The Digestive
System
Esophagus
Stomach
Liver
Pancreas
Large
intestine
Small
intestine

Peritoneum:
A thin membrane lining the
abdominal cavity.

The retroperitoneal
space lies behind the
abdominal cavity.

The Endocrine
System

Hormones:
Chemicals secreted in the
bloodstream that regulate
body activities and
functions.
Examples include
adrenaline and
insulin.

The adrenal glands

produce adrenaline. Adrenal
gland

C4-27

Kidney

The thyroid gland

produces a variety
of hormones.

Thyroid
gland

Parathyroid
glands

(behind thyroid)