Body Organization &

Terminology

Planes Coronal (Frontal)

Divides the body into anterior/posterior parts

Transverse (Horizontal or Axial)Separates into both superior(upper)/inferior parts(lower)

SagittalDivides the body into right and left portions.

MidSagittal (Median)Extends vertically. Divides the body into right and left halves

Anatomic Directional Terms

Body Regions

Anterior Regions of Body

Inferior to the thorax (chest) and superior to the hipbones?

Abdominal Region

Portion of the upper limb between the elbow and wrist?

Forearm (Antebrachium)

Front of the elbow

Antecubital

What is the depression on the anterior surface of the elbow?

Antecubital fossa

Portion of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow?

Brachium, Brachial Region

Armpit = Axilla, Axillary Region

Cheek = Buccal, Buccal Region

Wrist = Carpus, Carpal Region

Head = Cephalic Region

Neck = Cervix, Cervical Region

Fingers or Toes = Digits

Thumb 1

Index Finger 2

Middle Finger 3

Ring Finger 4

Pinky 5

Portion of the cranium overlying the frontal bone?

Forehead, Frontal Region

Big toe = Great Toe, Hallux

The anterior region where a fold is created as the torso meets the thigh?

Groin, Inguinal Region

Small of the back = Lumbar Region

Naval = Umbilicus

Surrounds the nipple on the anterior thorax

Mammary Region

Chin = Mental Region (Chin is more commonly used)

Portion of the face associated with the nose

Nasal Region

Mouth = Oral Cavity

The region of the face associated with the eye

Orbital Region

The anterior portion of the hand formed by the metacarpals

Palm

Anterior portion of the fingers = Palmar Aspect

The region overlying the kneecap

Patellar Region

Thumb = Pollex (commonly called thumb or first digit)

The region associated with the pelvis

Pelvic Region

The region between the pubic symphysis, the coccyx, and the ischial tuberosities?

Perineum, Perineal Region

Foot = Pes (commonly called the foot)

Superior portion of the foot = Dorsum, Dorsal Region

Sole of the foot = Plantar Surface

Area overlying the pubic bones = Pubic Region

Area superficial to the shoulder blade = Scapular Region

Anterior thoracic region on the midline = Sternal region

Chest = Thoracic Region

Posterior Regions of Body

Dorsum of the body from the base of the neck to the end of the spine?

Back, Dorsum, Dorsal Region

Portion of the lower limb from the hip to the knee?

Thigh, Femoral Region

Portion of the lower limb from the knee to the ankle?

Leg or Crural Region

Region of the pelvis associated with the large, posterior, hip muscles?

Buttocks, Gluteal Region

The region at the posterior base of the head

Occipital Region

Posterior portion of the fingers = Dorsum, Dorsal Aspect

Area on the posterior aspect of the knee = Popliteal Region

Area superficial to the sacrum = Sacral Region

Braincase = Cranium, Cranial Region

The body is split up into two main areas, the axial and appendicular regions. The axial region refers to

the head, vertebral column and trunk.

The appendicular region refers to the pelvic girdles and the upper and lower limbs. Each area is further divided into descriptive

regions.

Body Cavities

Posterior (Dorsal) AspectThe small cavity at the back of the body which houses the

Cranial and Vertebral Cavities.

Cranial Cavity (upper) (Holds the brain)

Bounded by the skull

Contains Brain and Meninges.

Vertebral Canal (lower)Bounded by vertebral column, intervertebral discs and surrounding ligaments.

Contains Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerve Roots.

Ventral CavityArises from a space called the coelom that forms during

embryonic development

Thoracic Cavity (Large cavity above diaphragm)

Bound Laterally by the ribs (covered by costal pleura) and the diaphragm inferiorly (covered by diaphragmatic pleura)

Contains Heart, Lungs, Trachea, Oesophagus, Large Blood Vessels, and Nerves.

Abdominal Cavity (Large cavity below diaphragm)

Contains gastrointestinal tract, spleen, kidneys and adrenal glands.

Bound superiorly by the diaphragm, laterally by the body wall, and inferiorly by the pelvic cavity.

Ventral CavityPelvic Cavity (Small cavity below the brim of the pelvis)

Bounded superiorly by the abdominal cavity, posteriorly by the sacrum, and laterally by the pelvis.

Contains urinary bladder, genitals, sigmoid colon and rectum.

Body MembranesMembrane that lines the ventral cavity

Serous membranes

Layer that adheres to the internal surface of the body wall

Parietal Layer

Layer that adheres to the external surface of the internal organs

Visceral Layer

Space between the two layers lining the ventral cavity

Serous Cavity (Lubrication)

Space within the thoracic cavity

Mediastinum

Serous membrane that surrounds the heart

Pericardium

What portion forms the sac surrounding the heart?

Parietal Pericardium

What portion forms the heart’s external surface?

Visceral Pericardium

Space that surrounds the heart

Pericardial Cavity

Serous membrane associated with the lungs, what portion adheres to the internal thoracic wall?

Pleural Membrane

What portion adheres to the internal thoracic wall?

Parietal Pleura

What portion adheres directly to the lungs?

Visceral Pleura

Space between the lungs and the thoracic wall

Pleural Cavity

Membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity

Peritoneum

Portion of the membrane that lines the internal walls of the cavity

Parietal Peritoneum

Portion of the membrane that ensheathes the external surfaces of most digestive organs

Visceral Peritoneum

Space that lies between the two layers of the membrane lining this cavity

Peritoneal Cavity

Four Quadrants

Six Regions of Abdomen