Anatomy Introduction: Directions, Planes, Regions, and Cavities

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical directional terms, body planes, abdominal regions, body cavities, and serous membranes.

Anterior

The front side of the body.

Posterior

The back side of the body.

Dorsal

Relating to the back or posterior side of the body.

Ventral

Relating to the front or anterior side of the body.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Proximal

Nearer to the trunk of the body or the point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the trunk of the body or the point of attachment.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Frontal (coronal) section

A plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal section

A plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides.

Midsagittal section

A sagittal plane that passes exactly through the midline, dividing the body into equal right and left halves.

Transverse section

A plane that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior portions; also known as a cross-section.

Right hypochondriac region

The upper right abdominal region located under the cartilage of the ribs.

Epigastric region

The upper middle abdominal region located superior to the umbilical region.

Left hypochondriac region

The upper left abdominal region located under the cartilage of the ribs.

Right lumbar/flank region

The middle right abdominal region located near the waist.

Umbilical region

The center abdominal region surrounding the navel.

Left lumbar/flank region

The middle left abdominal region located near the waist.

Right iliac/inguinal region

The lower right abdominal region near the groin.

Hypogastric region

The lower middle abdominal region located inferior to the umbilical region.

Left iliac/inguinal region

The lower left abdominal region near the groin.

Dorsal cavity

The body cavity located toward the posterior of the body, housing the central nervous system.

Cranial cavity

The space within the skull that contains the brain.

Vertebral cavity (spinal canal)

The space within the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Ventral cavity

The large body cavity located toward the anterior of the body, containing the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic cavity

The superior portion of the ventral cavity, protected by the rib cage and containing the heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The inferior portion of the ventral cavity, containing both the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

The superior part of the abdominopelvic cavity containing digestive organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Pelvic cavity

The inferior part of the abdominopelvic cavity containing the urinary bladder and reproductive organs.

Diaphragm

The muscular partition that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Parietal, Visceral and the cavity

(This is the heart)

The outer layer of the membrane that lines the walls of a body cavity.

The inner layer of the membrane that directly covers and clings to the internal organs.

The fluid-filled space or potential space between the parietal and visceral layers. The fluid acts as a lubricant to reduce friction as organs move

(This is the heart)

Parietal visceral and cavities

(This shows pleura)

The outer layer of the membrane that lines the walls of a body cavity.

The inner layer of the membrane that directly covers and clings to the internal organs.

The fluid-filled space or potential space between the parietal and visceral layers. The fluid acts as a lubricant to reduce friction as organs move

(Pleura)

Parietal, visceral cavity and the Retroperitoneal space

(This is a transverse view)

The outer layer of the membrane that lines the walls of a body cavity.

The inner layer of the membrane that directly covers and clings to the internal organs.

The fluid-filled space or potential space between the parietal and visceral layers. The fluid acts as a lubricant to reduce friction as organs move

(This is a Sagittal view)