Directions and Locations

Superior

Toward the head / upper part (used on trunk)

Inferior

Away from the head / lower part (used on trunk)

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin (limbs only)

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin (limbs only)

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface

Deep

Away from the body surface / more internal

Cephalic

Head

Cervical

Neck

Thoracic

Chest

Abdominal

Abdomen

Pelvic

Pelvis

Brachial

Arm

Antebrachial

Forearm

Carpal

Wrist

Femoral

Thigh

Crural

Leg

Tarsal

Ankle

Gluteal

Buttocks

Lumbar

Lower back

Inguinal

Groin

Axillary

Armpit

Popliteal

Back of the knee

Plantar

Sole of the foot

Cranial

Inside skull

Brain

Vertebral

Spinal column

Spinal cord

Thoracic

Chest (above diaphragm)

Lungs, heart, mediastinum

Abdominal

Below diaphragm

Stomach, liver, intestines, kidneys (some retroperitoneal)

Pelvic

Inferior to abdominal

Bladder, reproductive organs, rectum

Abdominopelvic

Abdominal + Pelvic

Combined organ systems

Liver

Right Hypochondriac

Stomach

Epigastric

gallbladder

Right Hypochondriac

part of liver

Epigastric

pancreas

Epigastric

Spleen

Left Hypochondriac

stomach

Left Hypochondriac

left kidney

Left Hypochondriac

Ascending colon

Right Lumbar

kidney

Right Lumbar

Small intestine

Umbilical

transverse colon

Umbilical

Descending colon

Left Lumbar

left kidney

Left Lumbar

Appendix

Right Iliac (Inguinal)

cecum

Right Iliac (Inguinal)

Bladder

Hypogastric (Pubic)

reproductive organs

Hypogastric (Pubic)

Sigmoid colon

Left Iliac (Inguinal)

Retroperitoneal organs

behind the peritoneum (e.g., kidneys, pancreas, parts of duodenum)

Serous Membranes Definition

Thin, double-layered membranes that line cavities and cover organs

Serous Membranes Types

Parietal layer

Visceral layer

Parietal layer

lines the cavity wall

Visceral layer

covers the organ

Pleura

lungs

Pericardium

heart

Peritoneum

abdominal organs

Mucous Membranes Definition

Line cavities that open to the outside (e.g., respiratory, digestive, urinary tracts)

Mucous Membranes Function

Secrete mucus for moisture and protection

Sagittal

Divides body into left and right portions

Midsagittal

Divides body into equal left and right halves

Transverse (Horizontal)

Divides body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts

Frontal (Coronal)

Divides body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts