Morris' human anatomy : a complete systematic treatise / edited by C.M. Jackson.
- Sir Henry Morris, 1st Baronet
- Date:
- [1933], ©1933
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Morris' human anatomy : a complete systematic treatise / edited by C.M. Jackson. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![translate the terms into its own language, wherever it is deemed preferable for everyday usage. Thus in the present work the Anglicised form of the BNA is generally used. Where not identical, however, the Latin form is added once for each term in a place convenient for reference, and is designated by enclosure in brackets! ]. Where necessary the older terms have also been added as synonyms. The Commission by whom the BNA was prepared for the German Anatomical Society included eminent anatomists representing various European nations. The work of the Com¬ mission was very thorough and careful, and extended through a period of six years. Among the guiding principles in the difficult task of selecting the most suitable terms were the following: (1) Each part should have one name only. (2) The names should be as short and simple as possible. (3) Related structures should have similar names. (4) Adjectives should be in opposing pairs. A few exceptions were found necessary, however. On account of its obvious merits, the BNA system has been generally adopted throughout the civilized world, and the results are very satisfactory. Comparatively few new terms have been thereby introduced, over 4000 of the 4500 names in the BNA corresponding almost exactly to older terms already in use by the English-speaking nations. Certain minor defects have been criticized; but most of these are removed by a revision that is now (1932) in progress. In accordance with vertebrate morphology, the terms anterior and posterior are to be replaced by ventral and dorsal; and the terms superior and inferior by cranial and caudal, respectively. In the head region, where these terms become ambiguous, special adjectives have been used. These latter, together with the more important of the other changes recommended, are indi¬ cated in the present edition in parenthesis, following the BNA terms, and are designated in each case by ‘ NK’ (Nomenklatur-Kommission). Abbreviations.—Certain frequently used words in the BNA are abbreviated as follows: a., arteria (plural, aa., arterise); b., bursa; g., ganglion; gl., glandula; lig., ligamentum (plural, ligg., ligamenta); m., musculus (plural, mm., musculi); n., nervus (plural, nn., nervi); oss., ossis (or ossium); proc., processus; r., ramus (plural, rr., rami); v., vena (plural, vv., venae). Terms of position and direction.-—The exact meaning of certain fundamental terms used in anatomical description must be clearly understood and kept in mind. In defining these terms, it is supposed that the human body is in an upright position, with arms at the sides and palms to the front. The three fundamental planes of the body are the sagittal, the transverse and the frontal. The vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the trunk, dividing the body into right and left halves, is the median or midsagittal plane; and any plane parallel to this is a sagittal plane. Any vertical plane at right angles to a sagittal plane, and dividing the body into front and rear portions is a frontal (or coronal) plane. A plane across the body at right angles to sagittal and coronal planes is a transverse (horizontal) plane. Terms pertaining to the front of the body are ventral (anterior); to the rear, dorsal (posterior); upper is designated as cranial (superior); and lower as caudal (inferior). The term medial means nearer the midsagittal plane, and lateral, further from that plane. These terms should be carefully distinguished from internal (inner) and external (outer), which were formerly synonymous with them. Internal, as now used (BNA), means deeper i. e., nearer the central axis of the body or part; while external refers to structures more superficial in position. Proximal, in describing a limb, refers to position nearer the trunk; while distal refers to a more peripheral position. Adverbial forms are also employed, e. g., anteriorly or ventrally (forward, before); poste¬ riorly or dorsally (backward, behind); superiorly or cranially (upward, above); and interiorly or caudally (downward, below). It should also be noted that the terms ventral, dorsal, cranial and caudal are independent of the body posture, and therefore apply equally well to corresponding surfaces of vertebrates in general with horizontal body axis. On this account these terms are preferable, and will doubt¬ less ultimately supplant the terms anterior, posterior, superior and inferior, as recommended by the NK revision. The discrimination in the use of several similar terms of the BNA should also receive atten¬ tion. Thus medianus (median) refers to the median plane. Medialis (medial) means nearer the median plane and is opposed to lateral, as above stated. Medius (middle) is used to desig¬ nate a position between anterior and posterior, or between internal and external. Between medialis and lateralis, however, the term intermedius has been used (but it is dropped by the NK). Finally, transversalis means transverse to the body axis; transversus, transverse to an organ or part; and transversarius, pertaining to some other structure which is transverse. Parts of the body.—The primary divisions of the human body (fig. 1) are the head, neck, trunk and extremities. The head [caput] includes cranium and face [facies]. The neck [collum] connects head and trunk. The trunk [truncus] includes thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. The upper extremity [extremitas superior]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31356011_0020.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
