Directional Terms

TERMINOLOGY

common language referring to body structures and their functions

ANATOMICAL POSITION

Doctors use this as a standard reference point to ensure clear and consistent communication about the human body

TERMINOLOGY

to increase the accuracy and clarity and to avoid confusion and misunderstanding

DIRECTIONAL TERMS

describe the position of one body part relative to another

DIRECTIONAL TERMS

used to describe a position of one structure relative to another

ANTERIOR

nearer to the front of the body

POSTERIOR

nearer to the back of the body

SUPERIOR

toward the head

INFERIOR

away from the head

LATERAL

further from the midline

MEDIAL

nearer to the midline

PROXIMAL（used for limbs）

nearer to the point of attachment of a limb to the torso

DISTAL（used for limbs）

further from the point of attachment of a limb to the torso

SUPERFICIAL

towards or on the surface of the body

DEEP

away from the surface of the body

PLANES

Imaginary flat surfaces that pass through the body

MIDSAGITTAL PLANE

Divides body into equal right and left sides

PARASAGITTAL PLANE

Divides body into unequal right and left sides

FRONTAL PLANE

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

aka coronal plane

TRANSVERSE PLANE

Divides the body or an organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions

SECTIONS

A cut of the body made along a plane

BODY CAVITIES

Spaces within the body that help protect, separate and support internal organs

• Cranial cavity

• Vertebral cavity

• Thoracic cavity

• Abdominopelvic cavit

4 cavities

CRANIAL CAVITY

• Formed by the cranial bones

• Protects the brain

VERTEBRAL CAVITY

• Formed by bones of vertebral column

• Contains the spinal cord

THORACIC CAVITY

Formed by the

• Ribs and sternum

• Muscles of the chest

• Vertebral column

DIAPHGRAM

- Dome shaped muscle

- Separates the thoracic cavity

from the abdominopelvic cavity

THORACIC CAVITY

Contains the lungs, heart, oesophagus, trachea, aorta

ABDOMINOPELVIC CAVITY

• Extends from the diaphragm to the groin

• Encircled by the abdominal wall muscles and bones and muscles of the pelvis

• Divided into two portions

ABDOMINAL CAVITY

Stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine and parts of the large intestine, kidneys, pancreas

PELVIC CAVITY

Urinary bladder, internal organs of reproductive systems, parts of the large intestine, rectum

STERNUM and RIBS

The anterior boundary of the thoracic cavity is?

PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES

The inferior boundary of the pelvic cavity is?

MUSCLES

The lateral boundary of the abdominal cavity?