Ch. 3 - Locational Terms & Body Cavities

Anterior

Toward or near the front

Posterior

Toward or near the back

Base

The lower or supporting part of any structure

Apex

The pointed tip of a conical structure

Bilateral

Both sides

Unilateral

One side

Contralateral

The opposite side

Ipsilateral

The same side

Deep

Farther into the body

Superficial

Nearer to the surface of the body

Medial

Toward the midsagittal plane (midline)

Lateral

Away from the midsagittal plane (midline)

Proximal

Nearer to the axial body

Distal

Farther from the axial body

Superior

Toward or nearer to the head

Inferior

Toward or nearer to the feet

Supine

Lying horizontally facing upward

Prone

Lying horizontally facing downward

Ventral

Front

Dorsal

Back

Explain the Dorsal Cavity.

The dorsal cavity is located on the posterior part of the body, and is divided into the cranial cavity, containing the brain; and the vertebral cavity, containing the spinal column.

Explain the Ventral Cavity.

Its located on the anterior part of the body consisting of the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

What does the thoracic cavity consist of?

Lungs, heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, and thymus.

What does the abdominopelvic cavity consist of?

Draws a line between the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

What does the abdominal cavity contain?

Stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, large and small intestines.

Where are the kidneys located?

The back of the abdomen in an area called the retroperitoneal space (retro=back behind), just lateral to the spinal column.

What does the pelvic cavity consist of?

the cecum, appendix, ascending colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, bladder, and ureters.

For a female, what does the pelvic cavity consist of?

the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. (Males contain the urethra)