APR Module 1: Body Orientation

anatomical position

An individual in anatomical position is standing erect with arms at sides, palms facing forward with fingers pointing downward, feet parallel to each other and flat on the floor, and eyes directed forward

prone

Position of the body when lying face down

supine

Position of the body when lying face up

coronal plane

A plane that passes side-to-side through the body, dividing it into anterior and posterior portions (also called frontal plane)

midsagittal plane

A plane that passes from front to back through the midline of the body, dividing it into right and left equal halves (median plane; same as sagittal)

oblique plane

A slanted plane (i.e., not horizontal or vertical) that passes through the body

sagittal plane

A plane that passes from front to back through the body, dividing it into right and left portions

Description:

• A vertical plane that passes parallel to the long axis of the body, dividing it into right and left portions

Comment:

• Sometimes called parasagittal plane

• Median (midsagittal) plane passes through midline of body and divides it into equal right and left halves

transverse plane

A plane that passes perpendicular to the long axis of the body, dividing it into superior and inferior portions (horizontal/cross-section)

Description:

• A horizontal plane that passes perpendicular to the long axis of the body, dividing it into superior and inferior portions

Comment:

• Also called horizontal plane or cross-section

• Transverse planes can also be named for specific landmarks that they pass through, e.g. subcostal plane, transumbilical plane, and intertubercular plane

anterior

-Description:

Toward the front of the body (e.g., the sternum is anterior to the heart)

Opposite of posterior

-Comment:

Ventral, sometimes used synonymously with anterior, relates to the belly

deep

-Away from the surface of the body (e.g., in kidney, the medulla is deep to the cortex)

-Opposite of superficial

distal

-Farther from trunk or origin of a structure (e.g., the wrist is distal to the elbow)

-Opposite of proximal

inferior

-Description:

Downward or below (e.g., the diaphragm is inferior to the heart)

Opposite of superior

-Comment:

In humans, synonymous with caudal (toward the tail)

lateral

-Away from the midline of the body (e.g., the lungs are lateral to the heart)

-Opposite of medial

medial

-Toward the midline of the body (e.g., the heart is medial to the lungs)

-Opposite of lateral

posterior

-Toward the back of the body or relating to the back (e.g., the heart is posterior to the sternum)

Opposite of anterior

-Comment:

Dorsal, sometimes used synonymously with posterior, relates to the back (L. dorsum = back of the body)

proximal

-Closer to trunk or origin of a structure (e.g., the elbow is proximal to the wrist)

-Opposite of distal

superficial

Toward the surface of the body (e.g., in kidney, the cortex is superficial to the medulla)

Opposite of deep

superior

Description:

Upward or above (e.g., the heart is superior to the diaphragm)

Opposite of inferior

Comment:

Cranial, sometimes used synonymously with superior, relates to the head (L. cranium = head of the body)

abdominal cavity

-Location:

Abdominal region

-Description:

Bounded by abdominal walls, thoracic diaphragm (superior), and pelvic brim (inferior)

Major organs include: stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and ureters, suprarenal glands, aorta, inferior vena cava, and lumbar nerve plexus

abdominopelvic region

-Location:

Trunk, inferior to thoracic region

-Description:

Topographic (surface) subdivision of trunk

ankle region

-Location:

Foot

-Description:

Subdivision of foot

Skin, muscles and tendons, nerves, and vessels around distal ends of tibia and fibula, and talus

antebrachial region

-Location:

Upper limb (distal)

Between elbow and wrist joints

-Description:

Subdivision of upper limb

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels around radius and ulna

anterior cervical region

-Location:

Neck

Anterior to sternocleidomastoid region

-Description:

Anterior subdivision of neck

Anterior boundary: midline of neck

Posterior boundary: anterior edge of sternocleidomastoid

Superior boundary: inferior edge of mandible

Apex: jugular notch

Roof: subcutaneous tissue (with platysma muscle) and investing layer of deep cervical fascia

Floor: pharynx, larynx, and thyroid gland

anterior leg region

-Location:

Leg (anterior)

-Description:

Subdivision of leg

Includes anterior and lateral muscular compartments

Anterior border of shaft of tibia (shin) is subcutaneous

Skin, muscles, tendons, nerves, and vessels anterior to intermuscular septum of leg and interosseous membrane of leg

auricular region

-Location:

Head (lateral cranial region)

-Description:

Region of external ear

axillary region

Location:

Thoracic region (inferior to shoulder joint)

Between upper arm and lateral thoracic wall

Description:

Subdivision of thoracic region that includes axilla

Axilla is a pyramidal space

Anterior boundary: pectoralis muscles and clavipectoral fascia

Posterior boundary: scapula and subscapularis, teres major, and latissimus dorsi muscles

Medial boundary: serratus anterior and upper lateral thoracic wall (ribs 1-4 and intercostal muscles)

Lateral boundary: humerus (intertubercular sulcus)

Base: skin, subcutaneous tissue, and axillary (deep) fascia

Apex: passage between neck and upper limb (cervicoaxillary canal) formed by rib 1, clavicle, and superior border of scapula

Contents of axilla: axillary artery, vein, and lymph nodes; infraclavicular part of brachial plexus; and areolar tissue

back

-Location:

Trunk (posterior)

Between neck region and tip of coccyx

-Description:

Formed by skin and subcutaneous tissue, muscles, vertebral column (inferior to cervical region), ribs (thoracic region), and spinal cord and meninges

brachial region

-Location:

Upper limb (proximal)

Between glenohumeral (shoulder) and elbow joints

-Description:

Subdivision of upper limb

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels around humerus

buccal region

-Location:

Head (lateral face)

-Description:

Region of cheek

carpal region

-Location:

Hand

-Description:

Proximal subdivision of hand

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels around carpal bones and distal ends of radius and ulna

cranial region

-Location:

Head (superior part)

-Description:

Region of cranial cavity (i.e., surrounding brain)

cubital region

-Location:

Upper limb

Anterior and posterior aspects of elbow

-Description:

Subdivision of upper limb

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels around distal end of humerus and proximal ends of radius and ulna

Includes cubital fossa, a shallow triangular depression on anterior aspect of elbow

Important structures related to cubital fossa include: median cubital vein, brachial artery and its primary branches (e.g., radial and ulnar arteries), median and radial nerves, and biceps brachii tendon

deltoid region

-Location:

Upper limb (proximal end)

-Description:

Subdivision of upper limb over deltoid muscle

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels around glenohumeral joint

deltopectoral triangle

-Location:

Anterior shoulder

-Description:

Narrow, triangular groove bordered by clavicle, deltoid, and pectoralis major muscles

digits of foot

-Location:

Foot (distal end)

-Description:

Distal subdivision of foot

Includes: great (digit 1 or hallux), second (digit 2), third (digit 3), fourth (digit 4), and fifth or little (digit 5) toes

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels around phalanges of toes

digits of hand

-Location:

Hand (distal end)

-Description:

Distal subdivision of hand

Includes: thumb (digit 1 or pollex), and index (digit 2), middle (digit 3), ring (digit 4), and little (digit 5) fingers

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels around phalanges of fingers

dorsum of foot

-Location:

Foot (dorsal)

-Description:

Dorsal aspect of foot (i.e., directed superiorly in anatomical position)

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels on dorsal aspect of foot

dorsum of hand

-Location:

Hand (proximal)

-Description:

Subdivision of hand

Subdivisions include: carpal and metacarpal regions, and digits

Skin, muscles and tendons, nerves, and vessels on posterior aspect of carpal bones, metacarpals, and phalanges

epigastric region

-Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

-Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Upper median region (flanked by right and left hypochondriac regions)

Contents include suprarenal glands and parts of stomach, large intestine, liver and gallbladder, and pancreas

facial region

-Location:

Head (anterior inferior part)

-Description:

Region of face, including: eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin

femoral region

-Location:

Lower limb (proximal)

-Description:

Subdivision of lower limb

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels around femur

foot region

--Location:

Lower limb (distal end)

-Description:

Subdivision of lower limb

Subdivisions include: ankle, heel, dorsum, sole, metatarsal, and digits (toes)

Anatomical and functional subdivisions: hindfoot (talus and calcaneus), midfoot (navicular, cuboid, and cuneiforms), and forefoot (metatarsals and phalanges of toes)

Includes skin, muscles, tendons, nerves, and vessels around tarsal bones, metatarsals, and phalanges of toes

frontal region

-Location:

Head (anterior superior part of cranial region)

-Description:

Region of forehead

Related to frontal bone

gluteal region

Location:

Lower limb (proximal end)

Description:

Subdivision of lower limb

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels associated with posterior aspect of hip joint

hand region

Location:

Upper limb (distal end)

Description:

Subdivision of upper limb

Subdivisions include: carpal (wrist), palmar, dorsum, and digits (fingers)

Includes skin, muscles, tendons, nerves, and vessels around carpal bones, metacarpals, and phalanges of fingers

head

Location:

Superior to neck region

Description:

Skeleton includes skull and associated bones (hyoid and auditory ossicles)

Soft tissues and bones form cranial cavity, oral cavity, nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses, orbits, and ears

Contains brain and organs of special sense (vision, hearing and equilibrium, smell, and taste)

heel region

Location:

Foot (proximal)

Description:

Subdivision of foot

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels around hindfoot (talus and calcaneus)

hip region

Location:

Lower limb (lateral proximal)

Description:

Lateral subdivision of lower limb from iliac crest ("waist") to proximal thigh

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels around ilium, ischium, and proximal end of femur (especially head, neck, and greater trochanter)

knee region

Location:

Lower limb (middle)

Description:

Subdivision of lower limb

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels around knee joint

Includes popliteal fossa on posterior aspect

lateral cervical region

Location:

Neck

Between posterior cervical and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) regions

Description:

Lateral subdivision of neck

Anterior boundary: posterior edge of SCM

Posterior boundary: anterior edge of trapezius

Inferior boundary: middle third of clavicle

Apex: superior nuchal line at junction of SCM and trapezius

Roof: subcutaneous tissue (with platysma muscle) and investing layer of deep cervical fascia

Floor: cervical muscles covered by prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia

left flank region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Left lateral region

Contents include parts of small and large intestines, and left kidney

left hypochondriac region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Left upper lateral region

Contents include spleen and parts of stomach, large intestine, pancreas (tail), and left kidney

left inguinal region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Left lower lateral region

Contents include parts of small and large intestines

left lower quadrant

Location:

Left of midline, inferior to transverse plane through umbilicus

Description:

Lower left lateral area of abdominopelvic cavity

Contents include parts of small intestine, large intestine, urinary bladder (when distended), and left uterine tube and ovary

left upper quadrant

Location:

Left of midline, superior to transverse plane through umbilicus

Description:

Upper left lateral area of abdominopelvic cavity

Contents include spleen, left kidney and suprarenal gland, and parts of liver, stomach, pancreas, and small and large intestines

lower limb

Location:

Limb that, in anatomical position, extends inferiorly from trunk

Description:

Subdivisions: gluteal region (buttock), femoral region (thigh), leg, and foot (including ankle)

lumbar region

Location:

Back (inferior)

Description:

Subdivision of back

Includes lumbar vertebrae and attached muscles

mental region

Location:

Head (anterior inferior part of facial region)

Description:

Region of chin

Related to anterior aspect of mandible

nasal region

Location:

Head (anterior)

Description:

Part of facial region that includes nose

neck

Location:

Between head (superiorly) and thorax and shoulders (inferiorly)

Description:

Connects head with upper limb and trunk

Skeleton formed by cervical vertebrae

Contains larynx and trachea, cervical part of spinal cord, parts pharynx and esophagus, and thyroid and parathyroid glands

Subdivided into anterior cervical, lateral cervical, posterior cervical, and sternocleidomastoid regions

occipital region

Location:

Head (posterior)

Description:

Part of cranial cavity related to occipital bone

oral region

Location:

Head (anterior inferior facial region)

Description:

Region of mouth

orbital region

Location:

Head (anterior)

Description:

Region of eye

Related to the orbits, the bony cavity that contain the eyes and accessory structures

palmar region

Location:

Hand (proximal)

Description:

Subdivision of hand

Subdivisions include: carpal and metacarpal regions, and thenar and hypothenar regions

Skin, muscles and tendons, nerves, and vessels on anterior aspect of carpal bones and metacarpals

parietal region

Location:

Head (lateral superior)

Description:

Part of cranial cavity related to parietal bone

parotid region

Location:

-Head (lateral)

-Inferior to auricular region

Description:

-Part of facial region related to parotid salivary gland and ramus of mandible

pectoral region

-Location:

Thoracic region (anterior)

-Description:

Subdividion of thoracic region over pectoralis major muscle

pelvic cavity

Location:

-Pelvic region

Description:

-Bounded by pelvic inlet (superiorly) and pelvic outlet (inferiorly)

-Major organs include: urinary bladder, loops of small intestine, inferior part of sigmoid colon, rectum, and reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, vagina in female; prostate and seminal glands in male)

-Continuous superiorly with abdominal cavity

perineal region

Location:

-Between proximal thighs, from coccyx to pubic symphysis

Inferior to pelvic diaphragm

Description:

-Subdivision of trunk

-Forms diamond-shaped area when thighs abducted

-Anterior boundary: mons pubis

-Lateral boundary: medial surface of thigh

-Posterior boundary: gluteal folds and superior end of intergluteal (natal) cleft

-subdivided into anal and urogenital triangles

-Contents of anal triangle: anus

-Contents of urogenital triangle: clitoris, external urethral and vaginal orifices (female); penis, scrotum and its contents (male)

popliteal fossa

-Location:

Knee region (posterior)

-Description:

Subdivision of posterior knee region

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels associated with diamond-shaped region on posterior aspect of knee region

Bounded by biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus, gastrocnemius, skin and popliteal fascia (roof), and posterior capsule of knee joint (floor)

Important structures include: small saphenous vein, popliteal artery and vein, tibial and common fibular nerves, posterior cutaneous nerve of thigh, and popliteal lymph nodes

posterior cervical region

Location:

Neck (posterior aspect)

Description:

Subdivision of neck

Deep to trapezius

Contents include: greater occipital n., occipital a., and suboccipital muscles

posterior leg region

Location:

Leg (posterior)

Description:

Subdivision of leg

Includes posterior muscular compartment

Skin, muscle tendons, nerves, and vessels posterior to posterior intermuscular septum of leg and interosseous membrane of leg

presternal region

Location:

Thoracic region (anterior midline)

Description:

Subdivision of thoracic region over sternum

pubic region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Lower median region (flanked by right and left inguinal regions)

Contents include urinary bladder (when distended), and parts of small and large intestines

Muscular system

Organs and tissues:

• Muscle

• Tendon

Description:

• Three types of muscle tissue: skeletal (striated), cardiac, and smooth

• Skeletal muscles divided into axial and appendicular

• Cardiac muscle found in walls of heart

• Smooth muscle found in walls of hollow organs (e.g., gastroinestinal tract, blood vessels); in iris and ciliary body of eye

Function:

• Movement of body

• Maintenance of posture

• Communication (especially muscles of facial expression)

• Body functions, including respiration, circulation, digestion, defecation, urination, childbirth

• Temperature regulation

Comment:

• Skeletal muscle under voluntary control

• Cardiac and smooth muscle under involuntary control

right flank region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Right lateral region

Contents include parts of small and large intestine, and right kidney

right hypochondriac region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Right upper lateral region

Contents include parts of large intestine, liver and gallbladder, and right kidney

right inguinal region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Right lower lateral region

Contents include parts of small and large intestine (including cecum and vermiform appendix)

right lower quadrant

Location:

Right of midline, inferior to transverse plane through umbilicus

Description:

Lower right lateral area of abdominopelvic cavity

Contents include parts of small intestine, large intestine (including cecum and vermiform appendix), urinary bladder (when distended), and right uterine tube and ovary

right upper quadrant

Location:

Right of midline, superior to transverse plane through umbilicus

Description:

Upper right lateral area of abdominopelvic cavity

Contents include right kidney and suprarenal gland, gallbladder, and parts of liver, stomach, pancreas, and small and large intestines

sacral region

Location:

Back (inferior)

Description:

Subdivision of back

Includes sacrum and attached muscles

scapular region

Location:

Back (superolateral)

Description:

Subdivision of back over scapula

Comment:

Scapula also known as "shoulder blade"

sole of foot

Location:

Foot (inferior)

Description:

Plantar surface of foot (i.e., directed inferiorly in anatomical position)

Skin, muscles, nerves, and vessels on sole of foot

sternocleidomastoid region

Location:

Neck

Between anterior and lateral cervical regions

Description:

Subdivision of neck related to sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle

SCM divides anterior and lateral cervical regions

temporal region

Location:

Head (lateral)

Superior to zygomatic arch and auricular region

Description:

Part of cranial region related to temporal bone

thoracic region

Location:

Superior part of trunk

Between neck and abdomen

Description:

Topographic (surface) subdivision of trunk

triangle of ausculation

Location:

Back

Description:

Small, triangular gap between trapezius and latissimus dorsi muscles and inferior part of medial scapular border

Floor of triangle formed by rhomboid major muscle and thoracolumbar fascia

umbilical region

Location:

Abdominal wall (anterior)

Description:

One of nine regions of abdominal cavity

Median region (flanked by right and left flank regions)

Contents include parts of small and large intestines

upper limb

Location:

Limb that, in anatomical position, is suspended from the shoulder and lies along lateral aspect of trunk and superior aspect of lower limb

Description:

Consists of deltoid, brachial (arm), antebrachial (forearm), and hand regions

vertebral region

Location:

Posterior cervical and back regions (midline)

Description:

Subdivision of neck and back over vertebral column

Includes cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae

zygomatic region

Location:

Head (lateral)

Inferior to orbital region

Superior to buccal region

Description:

Part of cranial region related to zygomatic bone

abdominopelvic cavity

Location:

Trunk, between thoracic and pelvic diaphragms

Description:

Continuous cavity formed by abdominal and pelvic cavities

Major abdominal organs include: stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and ureters, suprarenal glands, aorta, inferior vena cava, and lumbar nerve plexus

Major pelvic organs include: urinary bladder, loops of small intestine, inferior part of sigmoid colon, rectum, and reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, vagina in female; prostate and seminal glands in male)

cranial cavity

Location:

Skull

Description:

Space in skull that contains brain, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Formed by frontal, occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid bones, parietal, and temporal bones

diaphragm

Action:

Dome of diaphragm flattens during inspiration

Contraction increases vertical dimension of thoracic cavity

Comment:

Primary muscle of respiration

Contraction (flattening) decreases intrathoracic pressure and increases intra-abdominal pressure

mediastinum

Mediastinum

Location:

Thoracic cavity

Description:

Middle region of thorax

Lies between sternum and thoracic vertebral bodies

Separates right and left pulmonary cavities

Divided into superior and inferior parts

Inferior mediastinum subdivided into middle, posterior, and anterior parts

pulmonary cavity

Location:

Thorax

Description:

Bilateral subdivision of thoracic cavity (separated by mediastinum)

Contain lungs and plurae

Lined by parietal pleura

thoracic cavity

Location:

Thorax

Description:

Cavity of the chest

Bounded by sternum, ribs and costal cartilages, intercostal muscles, thoracic vertebrae, and diaphragm

Three subdivisions: a central mediastinum (contains heart and thoracic parts of great vessels, trachea, esophagus, and thymus) and bilateral pulmonary cavities (contains lungs and plurae)

vertebral canal

Location:

Vertebral column

Description:

Canal formed by combined vertebral foramina

Parietal layer of serous pericardium

Location:

Thorax (mediastinum)

Description:

Thin, serous membrane fused to inner surface of fibrous pericardium

Outer limit of pericardial cavity

Continuous with visceral layer of serous pericardium

Parietal pleura

Location:

Thorax

Description:

Thin, serous membrane

Lines pulmonary cavity

Fused to internal walls of thoracic cavity and lateral surface of mediastinum

Continuous with visceral pleura at root of lung

Regions include mediastinal, cervical, diaphragmatic, and costal

Comment:

Pleural cavity created by narrow space between parietal and visceral layers of pleura

Thorax has three subdivisions: mediastinum and right and left pulmonary cavities

Costal and peripheral diaphragmatic pleura innervated by intercostal nerves