Anatomical Positions/Cavities

Superior

Above; at a higher level (e.g., the head is superior to the chest)

Inferior

Below; at a lower level; toward the feet (e.g., the knee is inferior to the hip)

Anterior

The front surface of the body (also called ventral)

Ventral

The belly side of the body (also called anterior)

Posterior

The back surface of the body (also called dorsal)

Dorsal

The back of the body (also called posterior)

Cranial / Cephalic

Toward the head (e.g., cranial nerves are in the head)

Caudal

Toward the tail / coccyx (e.g., fused caudal vertebrae form the coccyx)

Proximal

Toward the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk (e.g., the shoulder is proximal to the wrist)

Distal

Away from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk (e.g., the fingers are distal to the wrist)

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Superficial

At, near, or relatively close to the body surface (e.g., the skin is superficial to underlying structures)

Deep

Toward the interior of the body; farther from the surface (e.g., thigh bone is deep to surrounding muscles)

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant in the upper right of the trunk

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant in the upper left of the trunk

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant in the lower right of the trunk

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant in the lower left of the trunk

Right hypochondriac region

Upper right abdominopelvic region

Epigastric region

Upper middle abdominopelvic region

Left hypochondriac region

Upper left abdominopelvic region

Right lumbar region

Middle right abdominopelvic region

Umbilical region

Middle center abdominopelvic region

Left lumbar region

Middle left abdominopelvic region

Right inguinal region

Lower right abdominopelvic region

Hypogastric (pubic) region

Lower middle abdominopelvic region

Left inguinal region

Lower left abdominopelvic region

Body Cavity

A fluid-filled space inside the body, surrounded by a serous membrane, containing vital internal organs

Viscera

The vital internal organs contained within body cavities

Primary Roles of Body Cavities

1. Protect delicate organs from shock/impact; 2. Permit organs to change size and shape

Dorsal Body Cavity

Cavity containing the central nervous system, subdivided into cranial and vertebral cavities

Cranial Cavity

Subdivision of dorsal cavity formed by cranial bones in the skull; contains the brain

Vertebral (spinal) Cavity

Subdivision of dorsal cavity; a bony canal formed by consecutive vertebrae containing the spinal cord

Ventral Body Cavity

Cavity containing organs of respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems

Diaphragm

A muscular sheet separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity

Thoracic Cavity

Ventral cavity portion containing everything deep to the chest wall (heart, lungs, etc.)

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Ventral cavity portion containing everything deep to the abdominal and pelvic walls

Pleural Cavity

Fluid-filled space surrounding each lung, lined by a serous membrane called pleura

Pleura

Serous membrane that lines the pleural cavities and covers the lungs

Mediastinum

Mass of dense connective tissue separating the lungs and anchoring the heart, lungs, and other thoracic structures

Pericardial Cavity

Fluid-filled space surrounding the heart, lined by the pericardium

Pericardium

Serous membrane lining the pericardial cavity (consists of outer fibrous and inner serous layers)

Abdominal Cavity

Superior portion of abdominopelvic cavity containing digestive glands and organs

Pelvic Cavity

Inferior portion of abdominopelvic cavity containing the bladder, reproductive organs, and last part of digestive tract

Peritoneal Cavity

Chamber within abdominopelvic cavity lined by peritoneum, containing parts of abdominal and pelvic cavities

Peritoneum

Serous membrane that lines the peritoneal cavity

Retroperitoneal

Organs located behind/between the peritoneal cavity and muscular abdominal wall (e.g., kidneys and pancreas)

Infraperitoneal

Organs lying below/between the peritoneal cavity and pelvic cavity (e.g., urinary bladder, ureters, large intestine)