2 
MAMMALIAN ANATOMY 
which is directed forward is anterior, that directed backward is 
posterior; the surface or region which is directed toward the 
median vertical plane is medial, that directed away from this 
plane is lateral; in the free limbs, proximal applies to a region 
nearer to the trunk and distal to a region farther away from the 
trunk. These terms are also used to describe the relative location 
of different parts, one part being anterior to, dorsal to, or medial 
to, another. In the free limbs, the surface toward which the 
bending of the limb as a whole takes place (i.e., at the elbow or 
knee), is the flexor surface, while the opposite surface is the 
extensor surface. In the case of a body like the human body 
which has come to take an erect position, the terms of orientation 
may be applied as if the body were still in the horizontal position. 1 
i. Grouping of Parts. 
Record your study by a conventionalized diagram of the human 
skeleton on as large a scale as the size of the page of your note book 
affords 2 showing relationships and names of the groups of bones , 
and the numbers of the bones of each group , with the names of indi¬ 
vidual bones so far as given in the outline . In this case , as in all 
laboratory work, supplement the diagram freely with notes explaining 
points which the diagram does not show. 
(a) Axial Skeleton. 
Skull. —Cranial region, facial region. Compare man with 
other mammals as to the relationship of these to each 
other in relative size and location. 
Vertebral Column. —Note number of vertebrae in each 
group. 
Cervical vertebrae. 
Thoracic vertebrae (rib-bearing). 
Lumbar vertebrae. 
Sacrum (sacral vertebrae). 
Coccyx (caudal vertebrae). 
1 The BNA (Basle Anatomical Nomenclature) which is applied to the human 
body without reference to its comparison with other forms, uses posterior and 
anterior as synonymous with dorsal and ventral respectively, and substitutes 
superior and inferior for anterior and posterior respectively. 
2 A convenient size for laboratory note books for this course has been found to be 
about io X 14 inches. A good quality of unruled, smooth paper, of rather light 
weight, is recommended. 
