Radiology Med Terms Chapter 2

Abdominal cavity

Space below the chest containing organs like the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines.

Cranial cavity

Space in the head containing the brain, surrounded by the skull.

Diaphragm

Muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities, aids in breathing.

Dorsal (posterior)

Pertaining to the back.

Mediastinum

Centrally located space outside of and between the lungs.

Pelvic cavity

Space below the abdomen containing portions of the intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs.

Peritoneum

Double folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity and protecting the organs.

Pleura

Double-folded membrane surrounding each lung.

Pleural cavity

Space between pleural layers.

Spinal cavity

Space within the spinal column.

Thoracic cavity

Space in the chest containing the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, esophagus, and other organs.

Ventral (anterior)

Pertaining to the front.

Cervical

Neck region, consists of 7 cervical vertebrae.

Thoracic

Chest region, consists of 12 thoracic vertebrae.

Lumbar

Loin (waist) region, consists of 5 lumbar vertebrae.

Sacral

Region where five bones are fused to form one.

Coccygeal

Pertaining to the coccyx (tailbone), composed of four fused pieces.

Anterior (ventral)

Front side of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Back side of the body.

Deep

Away from the surface.

Superficial

On the surface.

Proximal

Near the point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Far from the point of attachment to the trunk.

Inferior

Below another surface.

Superior

Above another surface.

Medial

Pertaining to the middle or nearer the medial plane of the body.

Lateral

Pertaining to the side.

Supine

Lying on the back.

Prone

Lying on the belly.

Frontal (coronal)

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal (lateral)

Lengthwise vertical plane dividing the body into right and left sides.

Transverse (axial)

Horizontal plane running across the body parallel to the ground.

Anatomical position

Standard reference position of the body, standing with arms at the sides and palms turned forward.

Dorsum

Back or posterior surface of a part; in the foot, it is the top of the foot.

Fowler’s

Supine position with head higher than the feet at approximately 45-60 degrees.

Mediolateral

Going from the midline of a structure to the side.

Midline of the body

Imaginary line creating two equal right and left halves.

Midsagittal Plane

Plane that divides the body into right and left equal portions.

Semi-Fowler’s

Supine position with head higher than feet at approximately 30 degrees.

Sims’

Recumbent position with the patient lying on the left anterior side.

Trendelenburg

Supine position with the head tilted downward.

Lateromedial

Going from the side of a structure towards the midline.

Lithotomy

A supine position with knees and hips flexed and thighs abducted.

Longitudinal plane

Divides the body into right and left segments.

Plantar

Pertaining to the sole or bottom of the foot.

Decubitus

Patient is lying down, and the central ray is horizontal and parallel with the floor.

Oblique

Rotating the entire body or body part so that the coronal plane is not parallel with the IR.

Recumbent

General term referring to lying down in any position.

Coronal plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior.