1.02 Anatomical Positions

Anatomical position

The body is facing forward, standing erect, feet parallel, holding arms at the side with palms facing forward

Directional terms

refer to the location of a structure or the relative position of a body part to another one

Anterior

on the front of the body

Posterior

on the back of the body

Ventral

on the front of the body

Dorsal

on the back of the body

Cranial

refers to the head

Caudal

refers to the tail or tailbone

Superior

refers to the head, top, or upper body or section

Inferior

refers to the tail, bottom, or lower body or section

Medial

refers to the middle

Lateral

refers to the side

Proximal

refers to the nearest to the point of attachment

Distal

refers to the farthest from the point of attachment

Superficial

on or near the surface

Deep

on the inside

Body Planes

an imaginary line that divides the body or an organ into sections

Sagittal

divides the body into right and left sides

Midsagittal

divides the body into equal right and left halves

Frontal

divides the body into anterior and posterior sections

Transverse

divides the body into top and bottom sections

Body Cavities

spaces within the body that contain and protect organs

Abdominal cavity

contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, large intestines, and appendix

Cranial cavity

contains the brain

Dorsal cavity

contains the brain and spinal cord

Pelvic cavity

contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

Spinal cavity

contains the spinal cord

Thoracic cavity

contains the heart, lungs, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, and thymus gland