All descriptions of the human body are based on the assumption that the person is in the anatomical position. A person in the anatomical position is standing erect with the head， eyes， and toes directed forward， the heels and toes together， and the upper limbs hanging by the sides with the palms facing anteriorly. You must always visualize the anatomical position when describing patients or cadavers lying on their backs （supine position）， sides， or fronts （prone position）。 Otherwise， confusion as to the meaning of your description will exist and serious consequences could result.

　　人體結構的描述是以人體解剖方位的設想為基礎的。人體解剖方位的基本設想是：人體直立，頭、兩眼和腳趾指向前方，腳趾和腳跟靠攏，上肢垂于兩側，手掌向前。在描述背朝下（仰臥）、身體一側朝下、或正面朝下（俯臥）而臥的病人或尸體時，都應始終按解剖方位進行，否則，人們就會對你的描述感到迷惑不解，并導致嚴重后果。