Body Planes & Cavities

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Superior

Above or higher up.

Inferior

Below or lower down.

Dorsal

Relating to the back; toward the posterior surface.

Ventral

Relating to the belly or front surface.

Cranial

Toward the head; superior.

Caudal

Toward the tail; inferior.

Right

Toward the body's right side.

Left

Toward the body's left side.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the side.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or origin.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or origin.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right parts.

Coronal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Median plane

Midline plane dividing left and right symmetrically.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body.

Dorsal cavity

The body cavities on the back side (cranial and vertebral chambers).

Ventral cavity

The body cavities on the front side (thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities).

Cranial cavity

Space inside the skull that holds the brain.

Vertebral cavity

Within the vertebral column; contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity containing the heart and lungs (includes mediastinum, pleural, and pericardial spaces).

Abdominal cavity

Cavity containing many digestive organs.

Pelvic cavity

Cavity containing pelvic organs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Continuous cavity formed by the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Pleural cavity

Space around the lungs between the parietal and visceral pleura.

Pericardial cavity

Space within the mediastinum surrounding the heart.

Diaphragm

Muscular sheet separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities; essential for breathing.

Umbilical region

Region around the navel.

Epigastric region

Upper central region of the abdomen.

Right hypochondriac region

Upper right lateral region of the abdomen.

Left hypochondriac region

Upper left lateral region of the abdomen.

Right lumbar region

Right middle lateral region of the abdomen.

Left lumbar region

Left middle lateral region of the abdomen.

Right iliac (inguinal) region

Lower right lateral region of the abdomen.

Left iliac (inguinal) region

Lower left lateral region of the abdomen.

Hypogastric region

Lower central region of the abdomen.