Directional Terms, Membranes, Body Cavities, Abdominal Subdivisions and Planes

Posterior

Situated toward back part of body

Anterior

Situated toward the front of the body

Superior

above

Inferior

below

Proximal

closer to the point of attachment of limb to the trunk

Ventral (anterior)

toward the front or belly

Distal

further from the point of attachment of lim to the trunk

Dorsal (posterior)

Toward the back or spine

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Toward the sides

Superficial

Close to body surface, relating to the surface.

Deep

More internal, away from the body surface.

Sagittal plane

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

Frontal plane

Divides the body into front and back portions (anterior and posterior)

Transverse plane

divides the body into upper and lower parts

Parietal

In reference to the body cavity wall

Visceral

closer to an organs

Visceral pericardium

Membrane found on the heart organ

Parietal pericardium

Membrane found on the heart cavity wall

Serous fluid

lubricating fluid found between the parietal and visceral serous membranes

Visceral pleura

Membrane found on the lungs

Parietal pluera

Membrane found on the thoracic cavity

visceral peritoneum

Membrane found on an organ in the abdomen

parietal peritoneum

Membrane found on the abdominal cavity wall

Cranial cavity

Body cavity where the brain is found

Spinal cavity

Cavity where the spine is found

Thoracic cavity

Cavity where the heart and lungs are found

Abdominal cavity

Cavity where the digestive organs are found

Pelvic cavity

Cavity where the reproductive organs are found

Which abdominal subdivision would the stomach be found in (top and middle section)?

Epigastric

Which abdominal subdivision would be the lower right side?

Right iliac

Which abdominal subdivision would the bladder be found in?

Hypogastric