Anatomy and Physiology: Body Cavities, Planes, Directional and Regional Terms

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terminology, body cavities, body planes, directional terms, and regional terms based on the provided biology notes.

Cranial Cavity

The head cavity.

Dorsal Body Cavity

The back cavity containing the cranial and vertebral/spinal cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

The chest cavity.

Vertebral Cavity

The spinal cavity.

Abdominal Cavity

The stomach cavity.

Coronal / Frontal Plane

A vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane dividing the body into unequal right and left parts.

Transverse (Axial) Plane

A horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Median Plane

A plane dividing the body into equal left and right parts.

Homeostasis

The body's automatic ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

Superficial

Located near or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Located deep within the body.

Superior

Positioned higher up on the body.

Inferior

Positioned lower down on the body.

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back of the body.

Ventral

Pertaining to the front of the body.

Anterior

Located at the front of the body.

Posterior

Located at the back of the body.

Proximal

Positioned closer to the trunk or point of attachment.

Distal

Positioned farther from the trunk or point of attachment.

Medial

Positioned toward the middle of the body.

Lateral

Positioned toward the sides of the body.

Axial

Refers to the middle axis of the body.

Appendicular

Refers to the sides or limbs of the body.

Abdominal

Refers to the stomach region.

Antecubital

Refers to the front of the arm.

Axillary

Refers to the armpits.

Brachial

Refers to the elbow pit/bicep region.

Buccal

Refers to the face cheeks.

Calcaneal

Refers to the heel.

Carpal

Refers to the wrist.

Cephalic

Refers to the head.

Cervical

Refers to the back of the neck.

Coxal

Refers to the hips to butt area.

Digital

Refers to the fingers and toes.

Femoral

Refers to the thigh/leg.

Gluteal

Refers to the butt.

Inguinal

Refers to the groin.

Lumbar

Refers to the spinal area at the bottom of the back.

Nasal

Refers to the nose.

Occipital

Refers to the bottom back of the skull.

Olecranal

Refers to the back of the elbow.

Oral

Refers to the mouth.

Orbital

Refers to the eye bone area.

Patellar

Refers to the front of the knee.

Popliteal

Refers to the back of the knee.

Sacral

Refers to the tail bone.

Scapular

Refers to the shoulder blades.

Sternal

Refers to the middle of the chest.

Tarsal

Refers to the ankle.

Umbilical

Refers to the belly button.

Vertebral

Refers to all of the spine.