APTerm - Describing the Body

Flashcards summarizing key concepts related to anatomical reference systems, body cavities, planes, and directions.

Anatomical Position

Standing upright, facing forward, arms at side with palms forward, and feet slightly apart.

Frontal Plane

An imaginary plane that separates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Sagittal Plane

An imaginary plane that separates the body into left and right sides.

Transverse Plane

An imaginary plane that separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Dorsal Cavity

A body cavity located at the back, surrounded by the skull and spinal column.

Ventral Cavity

A body cavity located at the front, divided into thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

The section of the ventral cavity containing the lungs and heart.

Abdominal Cavity

The section of the ventral cavity containing the stomach, liver, intestines, etc.

Pelvic Cavity

The section of the ventral cavity containing the bladder and reproductive organs.

Quadrants of the Abdomen

The four divisions created by a midsagittal and transverse plane crossing at the umbilicus: RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ.

Cranial Cavity

The cavity that contains the brain.

Spinal Cavity

The cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Prefix

The beginning of a word (e.g., 'hyper-' meaning 'excess').

Root

The core meaning of a word (e.g., 'cardi-' meaning 'heart').

Suffix

The ending of a word (e.g., '-itis' meaning 'inflammation').