The Language of Anatomy

Healthcare professionals need a universal language to describe where structures are located and how the body moves. Whether you're a PTA, PT, physician, nurse, or surgeon, everyone uses the same anatomical terminology to communicate accurately. For example, instead of saying: "The pain is kind of around the inside of my upper arm." A physical therapist would say: "The patient reports pain on the medial aspect of the proximal humerus."

The second description is precise and leaves little room for misunderstanding.