Anatomy Definitions, Body Description, and Relevant References

This assignment provides definitions for various anatomical terms, including phalanges, metatarsals, humerus, trachea, colon, tendon, ligament, arteries, aorta, nerves, and cervix. It also describes a hypothetical anatomical condition of a person involved in an accident, detailing injuries to the skull, hands, chest, and legs, along with signs of massive hemorrhaging. The assignment is well-referenced with sources like Marieb & Hoehn (2013), Murdock (2013), Rogers (2010), Schuenke, Schulte, & Schumacher (2011), Squire (2013), and Yorvick, Zieve, & Ogilvie (2016). These references support the definitions and the description of the injuries, making the assignment a comprehensive overview of basic anatomy and its application in describing physical trauma.

Definition
Phalanges
They are the bones that make up the fingers and the toes. Each finger and toe (with an
exception of thumbs and large toes) has three phalanges i.e. distal, middle, and proximal
(Schuenke, Schulte, & Schumacher, 2011).
Metatarsals
These are the long bones of the foot, located between the tarsal bones and the phalanges.
They are tubular in shape and they make up the bones of the midfoot.
Humerus
It is the bone in the arm that runs between the shoulder and elbow, articulating with the
scapula and the radius and ulna. It the largest bone in the forelimbs. It is only bone in the
upper arm.
Trachea
It is a wide, hollow cartilaginous tube which connects the pharynx and larynx (voice box) to
the two primary bronchi of the lungs. Also known as the windpipe, it plays a vital role in the
body’s respiratory system through the provision of air flow to and from the lungs for
respiration (Rogers, 2010).
Colon
Also known as the large intestine, it is the organ that makes up the last section of the
digestive system. It extends from the caecum to the rectum (approximately 1.5 metres in an

adult), and it serves two primary functions which include absorption of water and
electrolytes, and the formation, storage and expelling of faecal matter (Murdock, 2013).
Tendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones, and
muscles to structures such as the eyeball, serving the primary role of moving the bone or the
structures (Yorvick, Zieve, & Ogilvie, 2016). Also known as sinews, they can withstand
tension between the bones and muscles.
Ligament
A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to each other. The serve the
primary role of holding them together and keeping them stable.
Arteries
They are blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood from the heart to rest of the body
(with an exception of the pulmonary and the umbilical arteries).
Aorta
It is the largest artery in the body (approximately an inch in diameter) that originates from the
left ventricle and extends into the abdomen and serves the role of distributing oxygenated
blood through the body.
Nerves
A bundle of fibres that provides a common pathway for the transmission of electrochemical
nerve impulses between the brain and the rest of the body (Squire, 2013).

Cervix
It is the lowest part of the uterus made up of cylinder-shaped neck tissue connecting the
vagina and the uterus (Marieb & Hoehn, 2013).
A hypothetical description of a person’s anatomical condition
The body in the driver’s seat was in a crouched position, the head slumped into the steering
airbag and sandwiched by the driver’s seat headrest. At the base of the skull, there were
severe injuries with evidence of dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint (probably due to
cervical acceleration-deceleration) and fracturing of the atlas and probably a severed spinal
cord. A deep laceration was evident in the frontal region of the skull. Abrasions were also
evident on anterior face. The hands lay proximal to the superior with evident injuries of the
humerus and the digits of both hands. On the chest region, there was evidence of a fractured
sternum, and ribs. There were compound fractures on the right femur and left tibia. On the
victim’s body, there were signs of massive haemorrhaging.

References
Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2013). Human Anatomy & Physiology. Georgia : Pearson.
Murdock, H. (2013). Fundamentals of Human Biology and Health. San Diego: Cognella
Academic Publishing.
Rogers, K. (2010). The Respiratory System. Philadelphia: The Rosen Publishing Group.
Schuenke, M., Schulte, E., & Schumacher, U. (2011). General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal
System (THIEME Atlas of Anatomy). Leipzig: Thieme.
Squire, L. R. (2013). Fundamental Neuroscience. Academic Press,: Philadelphia.
Yorvick, L., Zieve, D., & Ogilvie, I. (2016, 7 13). Tendon vs. ligament. Retrieved from
MedlinePlus: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19089.htm