A&P Chapter 1: Directional Terms, Body Planes, Body Cavities, Abdominal Regions and Quadrants Quiz

anterior (ventral)

Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the foot.

posterior (dorsal)

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella.

superior (cranial)

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris

inferior (caudal)

describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column). The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.

lateral

describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits. 

medial

describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe.

proximal

describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium.

distal

describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur.

superficial

describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.

deep

describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skull.

ulnar

referring to the side of the forearm where the ulnar bone is located

radial

referring to the side of the forearm where the radial bone is located

sagittal plane

is the plane that divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides.

midsagittal/median plane

this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body

parasagittal plane

divides the body into unequal right and left sides.

frontal/coronal plane

plane that divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion. 

transverse plane

plane that divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions. Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections or axial planes or horizontal planes

posterior/dorsal cavity

1. Cranial cavity - contains the brain and CSF

2. Spinal or Vertebral cavity - contains the spinal cord and CSF

anterior/ventral cavity

1. Thoracic Cavity - contains the lungs and heart

1. Pleural cavity - lungs

2. Superior mediastinum - trachea 

3. Inferior mediastinum

Pericardial cavity - heart

        -----separated by diaphragm -----

abdominopelvic cavity

1. Abdominal- digestive organs

2. Pelvic Cavity - organs of reproduction

right upper

liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of pancreas, right kidney and adrenal gland, hepatic flexure of colon, part of transverse and ascending colon

left upper

stomach, spleen, left lobe of liver, body of pancreas, left kidney and adrenal gland, splenic flexure of colon, parts of transverse and descending colon

right lower

caecum, appendix, right ovary and tube, right ureter

left lower

part of descending colon, sigmoid colon, left ovary and tube, left ureter

right hypochondriac

liver, gallbladder, right kidney, small intestine

right lumbar

gallbladder, liver, right colon

right iliac

appendix, cecum

epigastric region

stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, spleen, adrenal glands

umbilical region

umbilicus, parts of the small intestine, duodenum

hypogastric region

urinary bladder, sigmoid colon, female reproductive organs

left hypochondriac

spleen, colon, left kidney, pancreas

left lumbar

descending colon, left kidney

left iliac

descending colon, sigmoid colon