The Language of Anatomy - Regional Terms

Vocabulary flashcards based on anatomical terms and body regions from the introductory anatomy lab diagram.

Cephalic

Refers to the head region.

Cervical

Refers to the neck region.

Frontal

Pertaining to the forehead region of the head.

Orbital

Pertaining to the eye region.

Otic

Pertaining to the ear region.

Occipital

Pertaining to the posterior surface of the head or base of the skull.

Nasal

Pertaining to the nose region.

Buccal

Pertaining to the cheek region.

Oral

Pertaining to the mouth region.

Mental

Pertaining to the chin region.

Sternal

Pertaining to the breastbone area of the thorax.

Axillary

Pertaining to the armpit region.

Mammary

Pertaining to the breast region.

Umbilical

Pertaining to the navel region of the abdomen.

Inguinal

Pertaining to the groin region.

Pubic

Pertaining to the genital region.

Acromial

Pertaining to the point of the shoulder.

Brachial

Pertaining to the arm (upper arm).

Antecubital

Pertaining to the anterior surface of the elbow.

Olecranal

Pertaining to the posterior surface of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Pertaining to the forearm region.

Carpal

Pertaining to the wrist region.

Manus

Refers to the hand.

Palmar

Pertaining to the palm of the hand.

Pollex

Refers specifically to the thumb.

Digital

Pertaining to the fingers or toes.

Coxal

Pertaining to the hip region.

Femoral

Pertaining to the thigh region.

Patellar

Pertaining to the anterior surface of the knee.

Popliteal

Pertaining to the posterior surface of the knee.

Crural

Pertaining to the anterior leg (lower leg).

Sural

Pertaining to the posterior surface of the lower leg (calf).

Fibular or peroneal

Pertaining to the side of the lower leg.

Pedal

Refers to the foot.

Tarsal

Pertaining to the ankle region.

Calcaneal

Pertaining to the heel of the foot.

Plantar

Pertaining to the sole of the foot.

Hallux

Refers specifically to the big toe.

Scapular

Pertaining to the shoulder blade region.

Vertebral

Pertaining to the spinal column region.

Lumbar

Pertaining to the lower back region.

Sacral

Pertaining to the region between the hips posteriorly.

Gluteal

Pertaining to the buttock region.

Perineal

Pertaining to the region between the anus and external genitalia.

Anterior/Ventral

Refers to the front view or direction of the body.

Posterior/Dorsal

Refers to the back view or direction of the body.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Coronal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Right hypochondriac region

The region of the abdomen located in the upper right quadrant, contains parts of the liver, gallbladder, and right kidney.

Epigastric region

The region of the abdomen located just below the rib cage, between the left and right hypochondriac regions, primarily containing portions of the stomach and liver.

Left hypochondriac region

The region of the abdomen located in the upper left quadrant, which includes parts of the stomach, spleen, and left kidney.

Right lumbar region

The region of the abdomen located in the middle right section, primarily containing parts of the ascending colon and right kidney.

Umbilical region

The region of the abdomen located around the navel, situated between the left and right lumbar regions, containing portions of the small intestine and transverse colon.

left lumbar region

The region of the abdomen located in the middle left section, primarily containing parts of the descending colon and left kidney.

right inguinal region

The region of the abdomen located in the lower right section, primarily containing parts of the cecum and appendix.

Hypogastric region

region located in the lower middle of abdomen containing reproductive organs, small intestine, and bladder

left inguinal region

the region located in the lower left of the abdomen contains the sigmoid colon, the ovary, the descending colon, and some small intestine

Cranial

toward the head

Lateral

away from the midline

caudal

toward the toes and outside

Dorsal

towards the back

proximal

toward the point of attachment

Distal

away from the point of attachment

medial

toward the mid line

superior

above

inferior

below

Cranial cavity

Brain and some glands

Vertebral Cavity

spinal chord

Dorsal cavity

brain and spinal chord / cranial and vertebral cavity

Thoracic cavity

Heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, thymus, made of the pleural and mediastinum cavities

Abdominal cavity

stomach, liver, kidneys, intestinesP

Pelvic cavity

reproductive organs, urinary system

Abdominopelvic cavity

reproductive organs, urinary system, stomach, liver, kidneys, intestines

Ventral body cavity

thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities, contains heart, lungs, stomach, kindey, liver, intestines, reproductive organs, urinary system