Human Anatomy Terminology for Medical Coding – Easy Medical Terms with Examples (Part 1)
Human Anatomy Terminology for Medical Coding – Easy Medical Terms with Examples (Part 1)
Learning human anatomy terminology is one of the most important
foundations in medical coding. Many ICD-10-CM and CPT codes depend on specific
body locations, so knowing these terms helps you code faster, more
accurately, and confidently during exams and real coding work.
This guide explains common medical terms with simple meanings,
examples, and coding tips—perfect for beginners and exam preparation.
Human Anatomy Terminology for Medical Coding – Easy Medical Terms with Examples (Part 1)
✅ 1. Abdomen (Belly)
The abdomen is the region between the chest and pelvis.
📌 Key
organs: stomach, liver, spleen, intestines
✅ Example
in medical notes:
“Pain noted in the upper left abdomen.”
➡️ Could relate to stomach or spleen pathology.
✅ Coding
Tip:
When documentation says RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ, these refer to abdominal
quadrants—important for coding abdominal pain (R10 codes).
✅ 2. Axilla (Armpit)
Contains axillary artery, vein, and lymph nodes.
✅ Example:
“Swelling noted in the left axilla.”
➡️ Could indicate lymphadenopathy.
✅ Coding
Tip:
Axillary lymph node enlargement may map to R59.0 – Localized enlarged lymph
nodes.
✅ 3. Popliteal Fossa (Back of the Knee)
A depression behind the knee.
✅ Example:
“Popliteal cyst present.”
➡️ Commonly known as a Baker’s cyst.
✅ Coding
Tip:
Baker’s cyst = M71.2
✅ 4. Body Hair – Vellus vs. Terminal Hair
- Vellus =
thin hair (arms, face)
- Terminal =
thick hair (scalp, beard, pubic)
✅ Example:
“Hormonal imbalance causing excess terminal hair.”
✅ Exam
Tip:
Know the difference—comes often in anatomy basics questions.
✅ 5. Buttocks & Gluteal Cleft
The groove between the buttocks is the natal cleft.
✅ Example:
“Abscess noted in the gluteal cleft.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Many pilonidal cyst cases occur in the natal cleft → L05.01.
✅ 6. Cyanosis
Bluish skin due to lack of oxygen.
✅ Example:
“Cyanosis noted on lips in emergency room.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Cyanosis = R23.0
✅ 7. Dorsal (Back Side)
Refers to the back or posterior surface.
✅ Example:
“Dorsal surface of the foot has a rash.”
✅ 8. Elbow Joint
Made of humerus, radius, ulna.
✅ Example:
“Elbow swelling after fall.”
✅ Exam
Tip:
Elbow fractures are coded based on which bone is fractured.
✅ 9. Freckles
Small brown spots caused by sun or melanin.
✅ Example:
“Multiple freckles on face—benign appearance.”
✅ 10. Groin
Area where the abdomen meets thigh.
✅ Example:
“Right groin pain during movement.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Groin strain → usually S76 codes.
✅ 11. Limbs (Arms & Legs)
Upper limb = shoulder → elbow → wrist → hand
Lower limb = hip → knee → ankle → foot
✅ Example:
“Lower limb swelling bilaterally.”
✅ Exam
Tip:
Know lateral vs. medial, proximal vs. distal.
✅ 12. Mongolian Spots
Bluish-green birthmarks on lower back.
✅ Example:
“Mongolian spot over lumbosacral region in newborn.”
✅ Note:
Not coded as a disease.
✅ 13. Sutures (Stitches)
Used to close wounds.
✅ Example:
“3 cm laceration requiring sutures.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
CPT wound repair depends on:
1️⃣ Length
2️⃣ Location
3️⃣
Complexity (simple, intermediate, complex)
✅ 14. Trunk
Central body without head and limbs.
✅ Example:
“Rash spreading across trunk.”
✅ 15. Visceral Fat
Deep fat around abdominal organs.
✅ Example:
“Patient shows signs of excess visceral fat.”
✅ 16. Wrinkles
Result of aging and decreased collagen.
✅ Example:
“Fine wrinkles around eyes.”
✅ 17. Achilles Tendon
Connects calf muscle to heel.
✅ Example:
“Achilles tendon rupture while running.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Achilles injury → S86.0
✅ 18. Bunion
Bony bump at base of big toe.
✅ Example:
“Painful bunion deformity.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Bunion = M21.61 (right) or M21.62 (left)
✅ 19. Callus
Thickened skin due to friction.
✅ Example:
“Callus on heel from tight shoes.”
✅ 20. Wrist Flexion
Bending wrist downward.
✅ Example:
“Pain on wrist flexion.”
✅ 21. Lunula (Nail Moon)
The half-moon at nail base.
✅ Example:
“Pale lunula noted.”
✅ 22. Malleolus (Ankle Bones)
Medial and lateral protrusions of the ankle.
✅ Example:
“Fracture of the lateral malleolus.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Lateral malleolus fracture → S82.62
✅ 23. Plantar Arch
Curved underside of the foot.
✅ Example:
“Pain in the plantar arch after walking.”
✅ 24. Styloid Process
Bony projection on the radius.
✅ Example:
“Fracture near radial styloid.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Radial styloid fracture = S52.51
✅ 25. Amniotic Fluid
Protects the fetus and supports growth.
✅ Example:
“Low amniotic fluid at 30 weeks.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Low fluid = O41.0
✅ 26. Embryo
Early stage after fertilization.
✅ Example:
“Embryo at day 6 contains 100+ cells.”
✅ 27. Fallopian Tube
Site of fertilization.
✅ Example:
“Blockage of fallopian tube.”
✅ Exam
Tip:
Ectopic pregnancy often occurs here → O00.1
✅ 28. Vagina & Vulva
✅ Example:
“Vaginal discharge present.”
✅ Tip:
Vulva = external
Vagina = internal muscular canal
✅ 29. Cervix
Lower part of uterus.
✅ Example:
“Cervical dilation during labor.”
✅ 30. Ovaries
Produce eggs + hormones.
✅ Example:
“Ovarian cyst detected.”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Ovarian cyst → N83.2
✅ 31. Placenta & Umbilical Cord
Provides nutrients and oxygen.
✅ Example:
“Placenta attached to uterine wall.”
✅ 32. Male Anatomy – Important Terms
·
Glans penis – tip
·
Prepuce – foreskin
·
Scrotum – pouch holding testes
·
Testicles – produce sperm
·
Vas deferens – sperm transport
·
Urethra – urine + semen passage
✅ Example:
“Swelling noted in right testicle.”
✅ 33. Blisters, Cysts, Pus, Warts
✅ Examples:
·
Blister → “Friction blister on foot”
·
Cyst → “Sebaceous cyst under skin”
·
Pus → “Pus-filled abscess”
·
Warts → “HPV-related warts on fingers”
✅ Coding
Tip:
Common wart → B07.9
✅ Final Exam Tips for Anatomy Terminology
✅ Memorize
directional terms:
·
anterior, posterior
·
medial, lateral
·
proximal, distal
✅ Know
body quadrants and regions (used in abdominal coding).
✅ Understand left vs. right laterality codes.
✅ Remember that some terms describe location
(axilla, groin), some describe appearance (cyanosis), some describe condition
(blister, cyst).
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