Ch.2 General Anatomy and Radiographic Positioning Terminology

Four Fundamental Body Planes

Sagittal, Coronal, Horizontal, Oblique

Saggital Plane

Divides the entire body or a body part into right and left segments. The plane passes vertically through the body from front to back

Midsaggital Plane

Specific Saggital plane that divides the entire body or a body part into right and left segments with the plane passes vertically through the body from front to back that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Coronal Plane

Divides the entire body or a body part into anterior and posterior segments. The plane passes through the body vertically from one side to the other

Midcoronal Plane

Specific coronal plane that passes through the midline of the body, dividing it into equal anterior and posterior halves. This plane is sometimes referred to as the midaxillary plane.

Horizontal Plane

Passes crosswise through the body or a body part at right angles to the longitudinal axis. It is positioned at a right angle to the sagittal and coronal planes. This plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions. Often it is referred to as an axial, transverse, or cross-sectional plane

Oblique Plane

Can pass through a body part at any angle among the three previously described planes

Interiliac plane

Transects the pelvis at the top of the iliac crests at the level of the fourth lumbar spinous process. It is used in positioning the lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx.

Occlusal plane

Formed by the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth with the jaws closed. It is used in positioning of the odontoid process and in some head projections.

Two great cavities of the torso

thoracic and abdominal cavities. The thoracic cavity is subdivided into a pericardial segment and two pleural portions. Although the abdominal cavity has no intervening partition, the lower portion is called the pelvic cavity. Some anatomists combine the abdominal and pelvic cavities and refer to them as the abdominopelvic cavity.

Thoracic cavity includes:

Pleural membranes

Lungs

Trachea

Esophagus

Pericardium

Heart and great vessels

Abdominal cavity includes:

Peritoneum

Liver

Gallbladder

Pancreas

Spleen

Stomach

Intestines

Kidneys

Ureters

Major blood vessels

Pelvic portion of abdominopelvic cavity includes:

rect*m, urinary bladder, and parts of the reproductive system

The abdomen is often divided into four clinical divisions called quadrants, which are:

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

Some anatomists divide the abdomen into nine regions by using four planes, two horizontal and two vertical. The nine regions of the abdomen, divided into three groups, are named as follows:

Superior:

Right hypochondrium

Epigastrium

Left hypochondrium

Middle:

Right lateral

Umbilical

Left lateral

Inferior:

Right inguinal

Hypogastrium

Left inguinal

External landmarks related to body structures at the same level

Surface landmarks of the Head and neck

Surface landmarks of the Torso

Common variations in the shape of the human body are termed the body habitus, which are the four different body habitus types?

A) Sthenic—50%

B) Hyposthenic—35%

C) Asthenic—10%

D) Hypersthenic—5%

% of commonality