Department of Biomedical Engineering
Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Program: BE Biomedical Engineering
Subject: BM-112L Human Anatomy
Experiment 1:
Familiarization with anatomical position and terminologies, planes, bone types, and bone
fractures. Objectives:
(i) To be familiarized with the anatomical position, planes and terminologies. (ii)
To differentiate between different bone types and bone fractures.
Lab Performance Indicator Total Marks Obtained
Performanc
e
Recognition of the Anatomical 5
Structures (CLO1)
Individual and Teamwork (CLO3) 5
Participation, Attitude and Behavior (CLO4) 5
Lab Report Documentation of Lab Report (CLO3) 5
Total Marks 20
Total Marks Obtained
Remarks (if any): ………………………………….
Name & Signature of faculty: …………………………………
Experiment No. 1:
Familiarization with anatomical position and planes, terminologies, bone types, and bone
fractures. Anatomical Position
The anatomical position is the standard reference orientation of the human body. It is used to provide a
clear and consistent mechanism of describing the location of structures.
Anatomical Planes:
Sagittal: The sagittal plane separates the right half from the left half of the body.
Coronal: The coronal plane is perpendicular to the sagittal and separates the anterior half from the
posterior half of the body.
Transverse: The transverse plane is perpendicular to the sagittal and coronal planes and it maybe
located at different heights.
Terminologies:
The main directions for parts of the body are superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial,
and lateral, whereas the terms proximal and distal are more appropriate for the limbs. Terms that
are often used for the hands and feet include palmar, plantar and dorsal.
Superior is towards the head.
Inferior towards the feet.
Anterior towards the front of the body.
Posterior towards the back of the body
Medial towards the mid line of the body (or sagittal plane).
Lateral away from the mid line (or sagittal plane).
Proximal lies toward the trunk of the body.
Distal lies away from the trunk.
Palmar is the palm side of the hand.
Plantar is the sole side of the foot.
Dorsal is the back side of the hand or the top side of the foot.
Bone Types:
Long bones are longer than they are wide and have a shaft and two ends. Example: Humerus,
Femur.
Short bones, or cuboidal bones, are bones that are the same width and length. Example: the
bones of the wrist (carpals) and ankle (tarsals) are short bones
Flat bones are thin and relatively broad bones that are found where extensive protection of
organs is required or where broad surfaces of muscle attachment are required. Example:
Sternum, Ribs.
Irregular bones are bones with complex shapes. These bones may have short, flat, notched,
or ridged surfaces. Example: Vertebrae, Hip bones.
Sesamoid bones are small, flat bones and are shaped similarly to a sesame seed. Sesamoid
bones develop inside tendons and may be found near joints at the knees, hands, and feet.
Example: Patella
Bone Fracture:
A bone fracture is the medical definition for a broken bone.
1. Stable fracture: This injury occurs when the bone is broken but the halves are still in line with
each other. This type of fracture usually involves conservative treatment like casting, to help
the bones heal back together.
2. Compound fracture: This is also known as an open fracture, and occurs when severe force
causes your bone to pierce through your skin. This fracture is usually very painful, and
sometimes requires surgery to get the bones back into proper alignment.
3. Transverse fracture: A transverse fracture describes the pattern of the break in your bone. In
this fracture, the line of the break is horizontal, meaning across the bone.
4. Oblique fracture: This type of fracture has a fracture line that occurs at an angle. Unlike a
transverse fracture where the break is across the bone, an oblique fracture has a diagonal
angle.
5. Comminuted fracture: Comminuted fractures are a more severe type of fracture, because
your bone breaks into several pieces. You could have other damage with this type of fracture,
due to the multiple bone shards.
Questions:
1. Label the different anatomical planes.
2. What types of fractures are most common in children?
3. Enlist some long and short bones of the human body.
