THE VERTEBRAE

The vertebrae each consist

of a body or solid portion
and vertebral arch, which
surround the opening
(foreamen) through which
the spinal cord passes.
The vertebrae are separated
from one another by
intervertebral discs, flexible,
elastic connections of
cartilages that cushion the
vertebrae and permit degree
of motion in the spine.
THE VERTEBRAL OPENING
THREE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
FUNCTIONS OF THESE TRACTS ARE:

1.The posterior column – it mediate

position and vibratory sense.
2.The lateral spinothalmic tracts – it
mediate pain and temperature sense.
3.The corticospinal tract – it control
movement.
REFERENCING
PARTS OF THE
BODY
THE PLANES OF THE BODY

1. Anterior and Posterior – refers to the front surface

of the body, the side facing view called anterior.
Posterior refers to the back surface of the patient
or the side away from you.
2. Midline – an imaginary vertical line drawn from
the middle of the forehead through the nose and
the umbillicus (navel) to the floor called the
midline of the body.
3. Midclavicular line – is an imagery
line drawn vertically through the
middle portion of the clavicle and
parallel to the middle.
4. Midaxillary line – is an imagnary
vertical line drawn through the middle
of axilla or armpit.
Directional Terms
1. Right and Left – refers to the patients right and left
sides not to your right or left sides.
2. Superior and Inferior – is the portion nearer to the
head is called superior when the part near to the
feet is the inferior portion.
3. Lateral and Medial – parts of the body that lie
away from the midline are called lateral structures.
The parts that lie towards the middle are called
medial structures.
Directional Terms
4. Proximal and Distal – the term proximal are used
to described the relationship of any two structures on
an extremity. Proximal describes structures that are
closer to the trunk. Distal describes structures that
are further from the trunk.
5. Superficial and Deep – superficial means closer to
or on the skin. Deep means further inside the body
and away from the skin.
Directional Terms
6. Ventral and Dorsal – ventral refers to the anterior
surface of the body. Dorsal refers to the posterior
surface of the body.
7. Palmar and Plantar – the front region of the hand
is referred to as the palm or palmar surface. The
bottom of the foot is referred to as the plantar
surface.
8. Apex – is the tip or the top most portion of a
structure.
Other Directional terms:

1. Bilateral – a structure of a body part that appears

on both sides of the midline.
2. Quadrants – are described as the sections of the
abdominal cavity.
DESCRIBING MOTIOIN OF A JOINT
1. Flexion – the act of bending the parts of an
extremity or limb.
2. Extension – the movement that brings the parts of
a limb toward a straight condition.
3. Abduction – movement toward the midline.
4. Supination – external rotation of the arm so that
the palms faces forward.
5. Pronation – internal rotation of the arm so that
the hand is forward.