Directional Terms, Planes, Body Cavities and Abdominopelvic Regions A&P1

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Lateral

Side

Medial

Middle

Proximal

Closest to point of attachment

Distal

Furthest from point of attachment

Posterior

Back

Anterior

Front

Ipsilateral

Same side

Contralateral

Opposite side

Superficial

Toward the surface

Deep

Further away from the surface

Prone

Face down

Supine

Face up

Sagittal

This plane divides into right side from left side.

Midsagittal

This plane divides into EQUAL right and left halves.

Transverse

This plane divides into top and bottom.

Frontal (Coronal)

This divides into the front and back.

Cranial Body Cavity

Formed by the skull; contains the brain.

Vertebral Body Cavity

Inside the vertebral column formed by the bones of the vertebrae; contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic Body Cavity

Inside the rib cage, superior to the diaphragm. Contains the heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic Body Cavity

Below the diaphragm; contains the abdominal and pelvic organs.

Upper left abdominopelvic region.

Left Hypochondriac Region

Middle left abdominopelvic region.

Left Lumbar Region

Bottom left abdominopelvic region.

Left Iliac Region

Top middle abdominopelvic region.

Epigastric Region

Center abdominopelvic region.

Umbilical Region

Bottom middle abdominopelvic region.

Hypogastric Region

Upper right abdominopelvic region.

Right Hypochondriac Region

Middle right abdominopelvic region.

Right Lumbar Region

Lower right abdominopelvic region.

Lower right abdominopelvic region.