Directional Terminology, body planes, body cavities, and body regions

Anatomical Position

The standard position of which the human body is described. Standing, hands outstretched, palms facing forward.

Superior

towards the top of the body or above another structure.

Inferior

Towards bottom of the body or below another structure.

Proximal

A structure that is closer to the truck (upper chest) of the body.

Distal

A structure that is further away from the trunk of the body.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body or nearer to it.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body or further from it.

Cranial

pertaining to the skull or the portion of the skull that encloses the brain. means towards the head.

Caudal

pertaining to the tail or lower part of the body; means towards the feet. (buttocks area)

Anterior/ventral

pertaining to the front of the body; means towards the stomach.

Posterior/dorsal

pertaining to the back of the body; means towards the spine.

Superficial

pertaining to a position closer to the surface of the body; means towards the outer layer.

Deep

pertaining to a position further away from the surface of the body; means towards the inner layers.

Sectional Planes

divisions of the body used in anatomy to describe specific areas or cuts. Common types include sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes.

Frontal/coronal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Transverse plane

is a plane that runs horizontally through the body, creating upper and lower sections. (superior and interior)

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left portions. (directions from the patients point of view)

Dorsal Cavity

The dorsal cavity is a body cavity located along the back of the body, containing the cranial cavity, which houses the brain, and the spinal cavity, which contains the spinal cord.

Cranial Cavity

The cranial cavity is the space within the skull that houses and protects the brain, providing a bony enclosure.

Spinal Cavity

The spinal cavity is the body cavity that contains the spinal cord, running within the vertebral column, and is part of the larger dorsal cavity.

Ventral Cavity

The ventral cavity is a body cavity located at the front of the body, dividing into the thoracic cavity, which houses the heart and lungs, and the abdominopelvic cavity, which includes digestive and reproductive organs.

Thoracic Cavity

The thoracic cavity is the part of the ventral cavity located in the chest, enclosed by the ribs and diaphragm, and contains the heart and lungs. (the great vessels)

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The abdominopelvic cavity is a large body cavity located below the diaphragm that houses organs of digestion, excretion, and reproduction, encompassing both the abdominal and pelvic regions.

Frontal Region

forehead

Orbital

eye area

Pectoral region

chest

Abdominal region

Abdomen/belly

Pelvic region

lower trunk and pelvis area containing reproductive organs

Femoral region

thigh

Cervical region

neck

Brachial region

upper arm

Antebrachial region

forearm part of the arm between the elbow and wrist

Carpal Region

wrist region of the hand

Phalangers region

fingers and toes

crvral Region

shin

Tarsal Region

ankle

phalanges

feet

Thoracic

upper and middle back

Brachial region

upper arm

sacral region

area over the sacrum (middle of the buttocks area)

Cephalic region

head

acrominal region

shoulder

Lumbar region

lower back

Gluteal region

buttocks

Popliteal region

back of knee

tarsal region

ankle

pedal region

foot