Human Body Systems

directional

where one structure is in relation to another in terms of location or position

anterior

front of the body

posterior

towards the back of the body

ventral

belly side of the body (animal) + front of body

dorsial

back side of the body/ top side (human + animals)

superior

head end of body

inferior

away from head

medial

toward the midline of the body

lateral

away from the midline

proximal

closer to where a part attaches to the body (trunk=chest, belly, central area)

superfical

closer to the skin

deep

father from the skin

Body Planes

imaginary lines that divide the body into sections for anatomical reference.

Coronal

frontal plane: vertical slice passing side to side

sagittal plane

left to right (doesn’t have to be even)

transversal

horizantal cross-section slice in the middle

median plane

through the middle

body cavities

Spaces within the body that house organs, including the cranial, thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

dorsal cavity

located along the posterior side, which includes the cranial cavity and the vertebral canal (head to but along the back) ; protects nervous system

cranial cavity

The space within the skull that contains the brain and is surrounded by the cranial bones; protects brain tissue

vertebral cavity/spinal cavity

the vertebral column that houses and protects the spinal cord

ventral cavity

abdominal+thoratic is inside this it is the anterior body cavity that houses vital organs

thoratic cavity

The space in the chest that contains the lungs and heart; prevents friction and organ damage

abdominal cavity

lower front of trunk (ventral); digestive stuff stomach liver intestines

pelvic cavity

The lower part of the ventral cavity, located beneath the abdominal cavity, that contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

abdominopelvic cavity

The combined area of the abdominal and pelvic cavities that houses organs related to digestion, excretion, and reproduction.

regional terms

specific descriptions mapped to regions of the body

orbital

relating to the eye socket, housing the eyeball and its associated structures.

buccal

relating to the inner cheek , involved in chewing and speech.

cervical

relating to the neck region, specifically the cervical vertebrae in the spine.

axillary

relating to the armpit area or the axilla, associated with various structures including blood vessels and nerves.

sternal

relating to the breastbone, or sternum, which plays a role in the protection of the chest organs and attachment for ribs.

brachial

the upper arm area; major blood vessels and nerves.

umbilical

belly button, important in fetal development as it contains the blood vessels connecting the fetus to the placenta.

carpol

wrist bones; important for wrist movement and stability.

digital

fingers or toes

coxal

relating to the hip or hip joint.

femeral

relating to the thigh or femur

thoratic

relating to the upper chest region

antecubital

relating to the front of the elbow

inguinal

relating to the groin area

pelvic

relating to the lower abdomen or pelvis region

patellar

kneecap

occipital

relating to the back of the head

cephalic

relating to the head or skull

oral

mouth

scapular

relating to the shoulder blade

olecranal

relating to the elbow

sacral

region of the sacrum; triangle bone at the end of the spine; function is to support the pelvis and connect the spine to the hip bones.

calcaneal

heel of the foot bone

tarsal

ankle bones

pophteal

back of knee

gluteal

relating to the buttocks

lumber

lower back

vertebral

spine or vertebrate