Body Regions

Anatomical position

the standard way the body is positioned when using anatomical terminology (standing, with feet slightly apart, arms to the side, and the head, eyes, and palms of the hands facing forward)

Sagittal plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into left and right halves

Coronal plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into front and back halves

axis

invisible line that runs vertically through the center of the axial region

anterior

toward the front of the body, or in front of something else

Posterior

toward the back of the body, or in back of something else

lateral

describes something that is away from the midline of the body

medial

refers to something that is toward the midline of the body

distal

a point that is farther away from a point of reference (typically the point of origin of a limb)

proximal

a point that is closer to a point of reference (typically the point of origin of a limb)

superior

a body structure that is located above another structure

inferior

a body structure that is located below another structure

Regional terminology

a set of vocabulary words that healthcare workers use to refer to specific parts, or regions, of the body

Axial Region

the body region that includes the head, neck, and trunk

Cephalic Region

body region that pertains to the head, including the eyes, brain, jaw, ears, cheek, nose, mouth and chin

Cervical Region

the area of the body pertaining to the neck

Trunk Region

also called the torso, the region of the body that includes the chest and abdomen

Thoracic Region

body region that pertains to the chest, and extends from the neck to the diaphragm

Abdominal region

body region below the torso that extends from the diaphragm to (and including) the pelvis

Pelvic Region

the lower abdomen region that connects the torso and the legs and also contains the reproductive organs

Vertebral Region

the central region of the back parallel to the vertebral column

Appendicular Region

the body region that includes the arms and legs

Surface Anatomy

the study of external configurations of the body as they relate to internal structures

Superficial Landmark

a structure on the surface of the body that helps orient an observer

Midclavicular Line

invisible vertical line that passes through the midpoint of the clavicle (collarbone)

Midpupillary Line

an invisible vertical line that passes through the midpoint of the eye

Thyroid Cartilage

the largest cartilage in the larynx (voice box); it protects the vocal cords

Cranial Region

the area on top of the head that includes the skull and brain

Occipital Region

the subregion of the cranial region that is located at the back of the head and contains the parts of the brain that control sight

Facial Region

the region that includes the face and its structures

Frontal Region

the region that includes the forehead

Orbital Region

the region that consists of the cavity area of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are positioned

Mammary Region

the portion of the chest that contains the breasts

Umbilical Region

the central area of the abdomen surrounding the navel (belly button)

Pubic Region

the abdominal area just below the navel (belly button)

Scapular Region

the posterior portion of the trunk region that contains the scapulae (shoulder blades) and related structures

Lumbar Region

the lower back area just above the hips

Upper Extremities

upper area of the human body that includes the shoulder, forearm, elbow, arm, wrist, and hand

Axilla

area on the body located directly under the joint where the arm connects to the shoulder, also called the armpit

Carpal

referring to the bones of the wrist

Lower Extremities

lower area of the human body that includes the hips, thighs, knees, lower legs, ankles, and feet

Plantar

the bottom area of the foot that is in contact with the ground when standing