Anatomical Locations and Terminology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical positions, directional terms, body planes, cavities, and abdominal regions based on the lecture notes.

Standard Anatomical Position

Body is facing forward, standing erect, feet parallel, holding arms at side with palms facing forward.

Prone

Lying on your stomach; often used for neck and spinal surgeries.

Supine

Lying on your back ("on your spine").

Trendelenburg

Position where the table or bed is tilted so the head is lower than the feet; usually used as an emergency treatment for hypotension or shock.

Low Fowler’s

Sitting position with the head of the bed at a $30$ degree angle.

Fowler’s

Sitting position with the head of the bed at a $45$ degree angle.

High Fowler’s

Sitting position with the head of the bed at a $90$ degree angle.

Directional terms

Terms that refer to the location of a structure or the relative position of a body part to another one.

Anterior / Ventral

The front of the body.

Posterior / Dorsal

The back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline (middle) of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline (middle) of the body or towards the side.

Bilateral

Refers to both sides.

Intermediate

Describes a position between two structures.

Superior

Refers to the head, top, or upper body or section.

Inferior

Refers to the tail, bottom, or lower body or section.

Cranial

Refers specifically to the head.

Caudal

Refers to the tail or tailbone.

Superficial

Located on or near the surface (e.g., skin and hair).

Deep

Located on the inside (e.g., heart and intestines).

Proximal

Refers to the point nearest to the point of insertion or attachment.

Distal

Refers to the point farthest from the point of insertion or attachment.

Body planes

An imaginary line that divides the body or an organ into sections.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left halves.

Midsagittal plane

Divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Frontal (Coronal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into top and bottom sections.

Body cavities

Spaces within the body that contain and protect organs.

Dorsal Cavity

Contains the Cranial and Spinal cavities.

Cranial Cavity

A division of the dorsal cavity that contains the brain.

Spinal Cavity

A division of the dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Contains the Thoracic, Abdominal, and Pelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Part of the ventral cavity containing the heart, lungs, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, and thymus gland.

Abdominal Cavity

Part of the ventral cavity containing the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, large and small intestines, and appendix.

Pelvic Cavity

Part of the ventral cavity containing the urinary bladder, reproductive organs and rectum.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The combination of the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal Quadrants

Four subdivisions of the abdomen using the umbilicus (navel) as the landmark for visualization.

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Contains the liver, stomach, gallbladder, duodenum, right kidney, pancreas, and the right adrenal gland.

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Contains the appendix, reproductive organs, and right ureter.

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Contains the liver, stomach, pancreas, left kidney, spleen, and the left adrenal gland.

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

Contains the left ureter and reproductive organs.

Epigastric region

The abdominal area located just below the sternum (breastbone).

Umbilical region

The abdominal area located around the umbilicus (navel).

Hypogastric region

The abdominal area located below the stomach (pubic area).

Hypochondriac regions (Right and Left)

The abdominal areas located below the ribs.

Lumbar regions (Right and Left)

The abdominal areas located on each side of the umbilicus.

Iliac (Inguinal) regions

The abdominal areas located to the side of the pubic area.