Unit 1: Intro to Anatomical Terms

Anatomical Position

standard anatomical reference position with hands at sides, palms forward and thumbs pointing away from body, feet together

Anatomical Directions

 terms that are used to describe the relative location of body regions and structures

Anterior and Posterior

Anterior: Front

Posterior: Back

Dorsal and Ventral

Dorsal: Toward the back

Ventral: Toward the belly or front

Superior and Inferior

Superior: Toward the head/upper part

Inferior: Away from the head/toward lower part

Proximal and Distal

Proximal: closer to center of body or where limb attaches

Distal: farther away from that point

Medial and Lateral

Medial: closer to the middle/center line of the body

Lateral: farther from middle/toward the side

Superficial and Deep

Superficial: closer to surface of body

Deep: farther inside body

Abdominal Region

body space between chest and pelvis

Major organs: stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, bladder

Acromial Region

highest point of shoulder, sits on acromion

Antebrachial Region

forearm

Antecubital Region

anterior surface of elbow joint

Axillary Region

the armpit

Brachial Region

the upper arm

Buccal Region

the cheek

Carpal Region

the wrist

Cephalic Region

the entire head

Cervical Region

the neck segment of spine

Cranial Region

upper part of head/skull that holds brain

Crural Region

lower leg, between knee and ankle

Digital Region

fingers and toes

Femoral Region

the thigh

Inguinal Region

the groin

Mammary Region

the breast

Nasal Region

the nose

Oral Region

the mouth

Orbital Region

the bony eye socket

Patellar Region

the anterior knee region (kneecap)

Pedal Region

the foot

Pelvic Region

the pelvis region

Plantar Region

sole of foot

Pubic Region

the genital region

Sternal Region

the breastbone region

Tarsal Region

the ankle

Thoracic Region

the chest

Umbilical Region

the navel, center of abdomen

Vertebral Region

the area of spinal column

Cranial Cavity

fluid filled space inside skull that houses and protects brain

Vertebral Cavity

long hollow channel inside spinal column that houses and protects spinal cord

Thoracic Cavity

hollow space in chest enclosed by rib cage, spine, and breastbone that protects vital organs

Pleural Cavity

part of thoracic cavity; a small, fluid filled space between the two thin membranes that cover lungs and line inside of chest wall

Mediastinum Cavity

middle of thoracic cavity; mass of connective tissue that stabilizes the trachea, esophagus, thymus, and largest vessels of the heart. Also contains pericardial cavity

Pericardial Cavity

inside the mediastinum; small fluid filled space that surrounds the heart

Abdominal Cavity

extends from diaphragm to top of pelvic bones

contains digestive and urinary organs

largest hollow space in human body

Pelvic Cavity

medial to pelvic bones

contains reproductive organs, rectum and urinary bladder

contains inferior portion of peritoneal cavity

Peritoneal Cavity

fluid filled space in abdomen between the inner lining of abdominal wall and organs within

Posterior/Dorsal Cavity

cavity on the back side of the human body

contains the cranial cavity and vertebral cavity

Anterior/Ventral Cavity

cavity on the front side of the human body

contains the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

divide abdominopelvic region in four quadrants

formed by two perpendicular lines that intersect at navel

Abdominopelvic Regions

divide abdominopelvic nine specific regions