ANATOMIC TERMS (1)

• Anatomic terms


  Terms used to describe directions within the body as well as the body's reference planes, cavities, and regions
• Directional terms

  • Superior and inferior
  • Anterior and posterior
  • Ventral and dorsal
  • Medial and lateral
  • Proximal and distal
  • Superficial and deep
• Superior


  Above
• Inferior


  Below
• Anterior


  Toward the front of the body
• Posterior


  Toward the back of the body
• Ventral


  Toward the front of the body
• Dorsal


  Toward the back of the body
• Medial


  Toward the body's midline
• Lateral


  Away from the body's midline
• Proximal


  Closest to the point of origin (or to the trunk)
• Distal


  Farthest from the point of origin (or to the trunk)
• Superficial


  Toward or at the body surface
• Deep


  Farthest from the body surface
• Reference planes


  Imaginary lines or surfaces used to section the body and its organs
• Major body reference planes

  • Median sagittal
  • Frontal
  • Transverse
  • Oblique
• Median sagittal plane


  Imaginary line that splits something into left and right halves
• Frontal plane


  Divides things into front and back parts
• Transverse plane


  Divides things into top and bottom parts
• Oblique plane


  Slanted plane that lies between a horizontal plane and a vertical plane
• Body cavities


  Spaces within the body that contain the internal organs
• Major body cavities

  • Dorsal cavity
  • Ventral cavity
• Dorsal cavity


  Located in the posterior region of the body, further subdivided into the cranial and vertebral cavities
• Cranial cavity


  Encases the brain
• Vertebral cavity


  Formed by the vertebrae, encloses the spinal cord
• Ventral cavity


  Occupies the anterior region of the trunk, subdivided into the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
• Thoracic cavity


  Located superior to the abdominopelvic cavity, subdivided into the pleural cavities and the mediastinum
• Pleural cavities


  Each contains a lung
• Mediastinum


  Houses the heart, large vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, lymph nodes, and other blood vessels and nerves
• Abdominopelvic cavity


  Has two regions: the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity
• Abdominal cavity


  Contains the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and other organs
• Pelvic cavity


  Located inferior to the abdominal cavity, contains the bladder, some reproductive organs, and the rectum
• Other body cavities

  • Oral cavity (mouth)
  • Nasal cavity (nose)
  • Orbital cavities (eyes)
  • Middle ear cavities
  • Synovial cavities (joints)
• Body regions


  Used to designate body areas that have special nerves or vascular supplies or perform special functions
• Abdominal regions

  • Umbilical region
  • Epigastric region
  • Hypogastric region
  • Right and left iliac (inguinal) regions
  • Right and left lumbar (loin) regions
  • Right and left hypochondriac regions
• Umbilical region


  Area around the umbilicus, includes sections of the small and large intestines, inferior vena cava, and abdominal aorta
• Epigastric region


  Superior to the umbilical region, contains most of the pancreas and portions of the stomach, liver, inferior vena cava, abdominal aorta, and duodenum
• Hypogastric region


  Inferior to the umbilical region, houses a portion of the sigmoid colon, the urinary bladder and ureters, the uterus and ovaries (in females), and portions of the small intestine
• Right and left iliac (inguinal) regions


  Situated on either side of the hypogastric region, include portions of the small and large intestines
• Right and left lumbar (loin) regions


  Located on either side of the umbilical region, include portions of the small and large intestines and portions of the kidneys