Terminology and the Body Plan

Directional Terms

• Directional terms refer to the body in the anatomical position

• Anatomical Position: Person standing erect with feet forwards, arms hanging to the sides, and palms facing forward

More Directional Terms

• Superior: Above

• Inferior: Below

• Anterior/Ventral: Front

• Posterior/Dorsal: Back

• Medial: Towards the middle

• Lateral: Away from the middle

More Directional Terms

• Proximal: Towards the point of attachment

• Distal: Away from the point of attachment

• Superficial: Towards the surface

• Deep: Away from the surface interior

Planes

• Sagittal Plane: Runs vertically though the body and separates it into left and right parts

• Midsagittal Plane: Divides the body into equal right and left halves

• Transverse Plane: Runs parallel to the ground divides the body into superior and inferior parts

• Frontal: Divides the body into anterior and posterior

Planes of the Body

Body Parts and Regions

• Upper Limb:• Arm

• forearm

• wrist

• hand

• Lower Limb: • Thigh

• Leg

• Ankle

• Foot

• Head:• Nose• Eyes• Forehead

• Neck:

• Trunk: • Thorax

• Abdomen

• Pelvis

Quadrants of the Abdomen

Body Cavities

• Dorsal body Cavity

• Ventral Body Cavity

More Body Cavities• Cranial Cavity

• Vertebral Canal

• Thoracic Cavity

• Abdominal Cavity

• Pelvic Cavity

Serous Membranes

• Serous Membranes: Two Layered, covers organs• Inner Layer = Visceral • Outer Layer = Parietal

Other Membranes

• Pleural Membrane = Lungs

• Pericardial Membrane = Heart

• Peritoneal = Organs

Two more Terms

• Mesentery: Anchor the organs to the body wall and provide a pathway of nerves and blood vessels

• Retroperitoneal: Organs behind the peritoneal, kidneys, urinary bladder, parts of the small intestine.