Anatomical Terms and Body Planes: Key Concepts for Anatomy Students

Anatomical Position

Body upright, feet apart, arms at sides; reference for directions

Axial

Head, neck, trunk

Appendicular

Limbs attached to axis

Superior (Cranial)

Toward head/above

Inferior (Caudal)

Toward feet/below

Anterior (Ventral)

Front of body

Posterior (Dorsal)

Back of body

Medial

Closer to midline

Lateral

Away from midline

Intermediate

Between two structures

Proximal

Closer to trunk

Distal

Further from trunk

Superficial (External)

Toward body surface

Deep (Internal)

Away from surface

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into left/right

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Divides body into front/back

Transverse Plane

Divides body into top/bottom

Dorsal Cavity

Holds brain and spinal cord

Cranial Cavity

Hold the Brain (Encased by the skull)

Ventral Cavity

Holds thoracic and abdominopelvic organs

Thoracic Cavity

Holds the Heart and Lungs

Pleural Cavities

Holds the Lungs

Pericardial Cavities

Holds the Heart, Esophagus, and Trachea

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Holds abdomen and pelvis organs

Abdominal Cavity

Holds stomach, intestines, liver, spleen

Pelvic Cavity

Holds bladder, reproductive organs, rectum

Oral Cavity

Mouth, teeth, tongue

Digestive Cavity

Oral cavity to rectum

Nasal Cavity

Nose cavity

Orbital Cavities

Hold eyes

Middle Ear Cavities

Contain ear bones

Synovial Cavities

Joint cavities

Cutaneous Membrane

Skin covering body

Mucous Membranes

Line cavities opening outside (mouth, nose)

Serous Membranes

Line closed cavities and cover organs

Parietal Membrane

Lines cavity wall

Visceral Membrane

Covers organs

Meninges Membrane

Cover brain and spinal cord