Anatomical Orientations (Vocabulary Practice)

Human Anatomy

Human Anatomy

study of the human body, focusing microscopic/gross anatomy

Gross Anatomy

study of anatomical structures visible to naked eye

What is the standard reference frame of anatomical positions?

Anatomical Positions

Superior

Higher

Inferior

Lower

Cephalic

Toward the head

Caudal

Toward the tail

Medial

Towards the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Anterior

Toward the front

Posterior

Toward the back

Ventral

Toward the belly

Dorsal

Toward the back

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment to the body

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the body

Superficial

Close to the surface

Deep

Deeper within the body

Intermediate

Between two other structures

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body or structure

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body or structure

Coronal

aka “front” plane - a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

Transverse plane

a cut on the horizontal plane that divides body into superior and inferior portions

Sagittal Plane

runs perpendicular to the coronal plane and divides body into left and right sides

midsagittal plane

divides body into halves

parasagittal plane

uneven sections

What cavity contains most of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and adrenal glands

Abdominal Cavity

What cavity contain the brains the brain?

Cranial Cavity

Which cavity is a subdivision of the thoracic cavity and contains the lungs?

Pleural Cavity

Which cavity is a subdivision of the thoracic cavity and contains the trachea, esophagus, and several major blood vessels?

Superior Mediastinum