Anatomy: Directional Terms, Dissection Planes, and Body Regions

Vocabulary flashcards covering directional terms, dissection planes, body cavities, and regional terms from Chapter 1 Anatomy.

Lateral

Towards the side of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Proximal

Close to the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther away from the point of origin.

Superior

Towards the upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior

Toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

Anterior

Towards the front side of the body; in front.

Posterior

Towards the backside of the body; behind.

Superficial

Toward the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Dorsal Cavity

Body cavity containing structures inside the cranial and spinal cavity.

Ventral Cavity

Body cavity containing structures within the chest and abdomen.

Cephalad

Toward the head of a four-legged specimen.

Caudal

Toward the tail of a four-legged specimen.

Frontal Plane

A sideways cut that divides the body into anterior & posterior parts.

Sagittal Plane

A cut made lengthwise that divides the body into right & left parts.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal cut that divides the body into upper & lower parts.

Abdominal

Anatomical region pertaining to the anterior trunk area inferior to the ribs.

Acromial

Anatomical region pertaining to the point of the shoulder.

Antecubital

Anatomical region pertaining to the anterior surface of the elbow.

Axillary

Anatomical region pertaining to the armpit.

Brachial

Anatomical region pertaining to the arm.

Buccal

Anatomical region pertaining to the cheek.

Carpal

Anatomical region pertaining to the wrist.

Cephalic

Anatomical region pertaining to the head.

Cervical

Anatomical region pertaining to the neck.

Coxal

Anatomical region pertaining to the hip.

Crural

Anatomical region pertaining to the leg.

Digital

Anatomical region pertaining to the fingers or toes.

Femoral

Anatomical region pertaining to the thigh.

Fibular

Anatomical region pertaining to the lateral side of the leg.

Gluteal

Anatomical region pertaining to the buttock.

Inguinal

Anatomical region pertaining to the groin.

Lumbar

Anatomical region pertaining to the area of the back between the ribs and hips.

Nasal

Anatomical region pertaining to the nose.

Occipital

Anatomical region pertaining to the posterior surface of the head.

Oral

Anatomical region pertaining to the mouth.

Orbital

Anatomical region pertaining to the eye area.

Patellar

Anatomical region pertaining to the anterior knee.

Pelvic

Anatomical region pertaining to the pelvis.

Popliteal

Anatomical region pertaining to the posterior knee area.

Pubic

Anatomical region pertaining to the genital area.

Sacral

Anatomical region pertaining to the posterior area between the hips.

Scapular

Anatomical region pertaining to the shoulder blade.

Sternal

Anatomical region pertaining to the breastbone area.

Sural

Anatomical region pertaining to the posterior surface of the lower leg (calf).

Tarsal

Anatomical region pertaining to the ankle.

Umbilical

Anatomical region pertaining to the navel.

Vertebral

Anatomical region pertaining to the area of the spinal column.