Anatomical Terms, Body Planes, and Body Cavities

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing anatomical terminology, directional terms, anatomical planes, body cavities, and serous membranes.

Supine

A position in which the body is lying face up, with the ventral side (front) facing upward and the dorsal side (back) facing downward, resting against a flat surface.

Prone

A position in which the body is lying face down, with the ventral side (front) facing downward and the dorsal side (back) facing upward, flat on the stomach.

Anterior (or ventral)

The front or direction toward the front of the body.

Posterior (or dorsal)

The back or direction toward the back of the body.

Superior (or cranial)

A position above or higher than another part of the body proper.

Inferior (or caudal)

A position below or lower than another part of the body proper (near or toward the tail).

Lateral

The side or direction toward the side of the body.

Medial

The middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

Proximal

A position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Distal

A position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Superficial

A position closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

A position farther from the surface of the body.

Sagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or an organ into right and left sides.

Frontal plane (Coronal plane)

A plane that divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into upper and lower portions; also known as a cross-sectional plane.

Dorsal (posterior) cavity

A cavity subdivided into the cranial cavity, which houses the brain, and the spinal cavity, which encloses the spinal cord.

Cranial cavity

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that houses the brain.

Spinal cavity

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that encloses the spinal cord.

Ventral (anterior) cavity

A major cavity that has two main subdivisions: the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

Thoracic cavity

The most superior subdivision of the anterior cavity enclosed by the rib cage, containing the lungs and heart (located in the mediastinum), with the diaphragm forming its floor.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The largest cavity in the body, which houses digestive and reproductive organs and is distinguished into the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity.

Abdominal cavity

The division of the abdominopelvic cavity that houses the digestive organs.

Pelvic cavity

The division of the abdominopelvic cavity that houses the organs of reproduction.

Pleura

A serous membrane that surrounds the lungs in the pleural cavity, reducing friction between the lungs and the body wall.

Pericardium

A serous membrane that encloses the heart in the pericardial cavity, reducing friction between the heart and the pericardial wall.

Peritoneum

A serous membrane that envelops several organs in the abdominopelvic cavity, reducing friction between the abdominal and pelvic organs and the body wall.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity, located between the two lungs, extending from the sternum to the vertebral column and from the first rib to the diaphragm.

Rib cage

The bony framework formed by the ribs, their connecting cartilages, and the sternum (breastbone) that encloses and protects the chest cavity and vital organs like the heart and lungs.