Anatomical Terms Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering directional terms, body regions, body planes, sections, and body cavities based on lecture material.

Directional Term

A term that describes the relative position of a body part in relationship to another body part.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position where the body is upright, upper limbs are at the sides, and palms are facing forward.

Directional Terms (Lateral View)

Anatomical reference directions shown from a profile side view, including superior, inferior, anterior (ventral), posterior (dorsal), proximal, and distal.

Directional Terms (Anterior View)

Anatomical reference directions shown from a front view, including right, left, midline, medial, lateral, superior, inferior, proximal, and distal.

Anterior (Ventral)

A directional term indicating a position toward or at the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

A directional term indicating a position toward or at the back of the body.

Superior

A directional term indicating a position toward the head or upper portion of a structure.

Inferior

A directional term indicating a position away from the head or toward the lower portion of a structure.

Medial

A directional term indicating a position closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term indicating a position farther away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

A directional term describing a position closer to the trunk or point of attachment of a limb.

Distal

A directional term describing a position farther from the trunk or point of attachment of a limb.

Axial Portion

The central portion of the body comprising the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

The portion of the body consisting of the upper and lower limbs.

Plane

An imaginary, two-dimensional, flat surface that marks the direction of a cut through a structure.

Section

A cut made along a flat plane to expose internal structures.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

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

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Anatomical Planes

The various directional planes used to cut through the body, including median, paramedian, frontal (coronal), transverse (horizontal), and oblique planes.

Body Cavity

An internal space that protects and cushions contained organs and permits changes in their size and shape.

Thoracic Cavity

The upper body cavity bounded below by the diaphragm, containing the pleural cavities, pericardial cavity, and mediastinum.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The lower internal cavity located below the diaphragm, subdivided into the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity.