Anatomical Directional Terms, Body Planes and Sections, membranes, quadrants

superior

toward the head end or upper part of a structure; above

inferior

away from the head end or toward the lower part of the body; below

anterior (ventral)

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

posterior (dorsal)

toward or at the back of the body; behind

medial

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

lateral

away from the midline of the body; in the outer side of

proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk; at the beginning

distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk; at the end

superficial (external)

toward or at the body surface; surrounds

Deep (internal)

away from the body surface, internal; underneath

sagittal plane

plane that divides the body/organ into right and left parts

midsagittal plane

plane that divides the body/organ into equal right and left parts

parasagittal plane

plane that divides the body/organ into unequal right and left parts

frontal plane (coronal plane)

plane that divides the body/organ into anterior and posterior parts

transverse plane

plane that divides the body/organ into superior and inferior parts

cross sections

when organs are sectioned along the transverse plane

Cranial cavity

A

vertebral cavity

B

Dorsal cavity

C

thoracic cavity

D

Diaphragm

E

Abdominal cavity

F

pelvic cavity

G

Abdominopelvic cavity

H

ventral cavity

I

Mediastinum

J

Pleural cavity

K

Pericardial cavity

L

Diaphragm

M

abdominal cavity

N

Pelvic cavity

O

Thoracic cavity

P

Abdominopelvic cavity

Q

Midsagittal view

R

coronal (frontal) view

S

serous membrane

a thin, double-layered membrane lining the ventral body cavities

parietal layer

layer that lines the cavity walls

visceral layer

layer that covers the external surface of the organs

pericardium

serous membrane in the pericardial cavity

pleura

serous membrane in the pleural cavity

peritoneum

serous membranes in the abdominal cavity

Right upper quadrant

A1

left upper quadrant

B1

right lower quadrant

C1

left lower quadrant

D1

Right hypochondriac region

A2

epigastric region

B2

left hypochondriac region

C2

right lumbar region

D2

umbilical region

E2

Left lumbar region

F2

right inguinal region

G2

pubic region

H2

left inguinal region

I2