anatomical terms

Reference point

The Left or right depending on the person being observed

Directional term

Explains one body part in relation to another

Dorsal

Back

Ventral

Front

Lateral

Farther away from midline

Medial

Closer to midline

Distal

Farther away from point of attachment

Proximal

Closer to point of attachment

Deep

Farther away from the body surface, more internal.
Example: Your bones are deep to your muscles

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.
Example: Your skin is superficial to your muscles

Superior

Top

Inferior

Bottom

Sagittal

Divides body into left and right

Frontal

Divides body into front and back

Transverse

Divides body into high and low parts

Body cavities

Fluid filled space which most organs are found in

Dorsal body cavity

Protects organs of the central nervous system

• cranial body cavity and spinal cavity

Ventral body cavity

Houses visceral organs

• Thoracic cavity: contains heart and lungs

• Abdominopelvic cavity: digestive, urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum

Serous membrane (serosa)

Double layered membrane in ventral body cavity

Visceral serosa

Innermost layer covering the organ (touching outside of organ)

Parietal serosa

Outer layer lining the body wall of the cavity (hold the organ in place)