Body Direction

Cavities

Cavities

Spaces in the body that house organs and systems, providing protection and support.

Dorsal Body Cavity

The cavity that includes the cranial and vertebral cavities, housing the brain and spinal cord.

Ventral Body Cavity

The cavity that includes the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities, housing various organs.

Cranial Cavity

The cavity that encases the brain.

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

The cavity that extends from the cranial cavity to the base of the spine, encasing the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

The upper ventral cavity that contains the heart, lungs, and other thoracic organs, separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The lower ventral cavity that includes the abdominal and pelvic cavities, housing digestive and reproductive organs.

Serous Membrane

A membrane that lines body cavities and covers organs, consisting of parietal and visceral layers.

Parietal Membrane

The layer of serous membrane that lines the cavity wall.

Visceral Membrane

The layer of serous membrane that covers the surface of organs.

Anatomical Position

A standard position of the body used as a reference point in anatomy, standing upright with face forward and palms facing forward.

Superior (Cranial)

A directional term meaning towards the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior (Caudal)

A directional term meaning away from the head or towards the lower part of the body.

Anterior (Ventral)

A directional term meaning nearer to or at the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

A directional term meaning nearer to or at the back of the body.

Medial

A directional term meaning nearer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term meaning farther from the midline of the body.

Proximal

A directional term meaning nearer to the point of attachment or origin from the trunk.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment or origin on the trunk.

Superficial

A directional term meaning towards or on the surface of the body.

Deep

A directional term meaning away from the surface of the body.

Transverse Plane

A body plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions.

Sagittal Plane

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

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A body plane that divides the body into front and back portions.