Rathi, Manya - #2-Unit 2 Body Planes, Anatomy and Physiology, Body Cavities, Abdominal Divisions,

Anatomical Planes

three imaginary, flat sections

transverse, horizontal, or axial plane

divides the body horizontally into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions

frontal, coronal plane

divides the body vertically into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions

sagittal plane

divides the body vertically into right and left portions

midsagittal, median sagittal plane

cuts straight down the exact middle of the body, creating two halves, the left and right side

parasagittal plane

cuts off-center, creating unequal left and right portions

oblique plane

imaginary flat surface that cuts through the body or organ at a slanted angle that is neither horizontal nor vertical

anatomy

study of body structures

physiology

study of functions of those structures

pathophysiology

study of diseases

body cavities

spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs and body structures. The two main cavities are the dorsal and ventral cavities.

dorsal cavity

protects the organs and tissues within the backside of the body. It is divided into two separate cavities: the cranial and spinal cavities.

cranial cavity

located within the skull and protects the brain

middle ear cavity

air-filled space carved into the temporal bone, located between the ear drum and inner ear

orbital cavity

cone-shaped bony socket in the skull that houses and protects the eye

nasal cavity

air-filled space behind the nose, divided vertically by the nasal septum

oral cavity

mouth, bounded by lips, cheeks, palate, and tongue, extending into the pharynx (throat)

spinal cavity

located within the spinal column and protects the spinal cord

ventral cavity

protects the organs and tissues within the front side of the body. The ventral cavity is divided into three separate cavities: the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

thoracic, chest cavity

protects the heart, lungs, esophagus, and major blood vessels that run through the chest

diaphragm

large muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities; it plays an important role in breathing

pleural cavity

space between the outside of the lungs and interior chest wall

mediastinum

central compartment of the chest, located between the two lungs, and containing the heart, major blood vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and nerves

pericardial cavity

Small, fluid-filled space surrounding the heart. This is located within the mediastinum and lies between the layers of the pericardium, which is a protective sac around the heart where fluid helps reduce friction as the heart beats

abdominal cavity

stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, and parts of the large intestine

Iliac crests

curved upper border of the hip bone that you can feel when you place your hands on your hips

pelvic cavity

urinary bladder, urethra, portions of the large intestine, and reproductive organs.

abdominopelvic cavity

the abdominal and pelvic cavities make up

quadrant method

divides the abdominopelvic cavity into four nonspecific quarters using imaginary horizontal and vertical lines that intersect at the umbilicus (belly button). The terms refer to the left and right side of the patient’s body, not the left and right side from another person’s viewpoint

right upper quadrant (RUQ)

contains the liver (right lobe), gallbladder, part of the pancreas, and portions of the small and large intestines

left upper quadrant (LUQ)

contains the liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, and parts of the small and large intestines

right lower quadrant (RLQ)

contains parts of the small and large intestines, the appendix, the right ureter, the right side of the bladder, and the right-side of reproductive organs (like right ovary, right fallopian tube, and right-side of the uterus in females)

left lower quadrant (LLQ)

contains portions of the small and large intestines, the left ureter, the left side of the bladder, and the left-side of reproductive organs (like left ovary, left fallopian tube, and left-side of the uterus in females)

Abdominal regions

more precise, method for dividing the abdominopelvic cavity into nine sections like a tic-tac-toe grid. Again, references to right and left refer to the patient’s right and left.

right hypochondriac region

Upper right

left hypochondriac region

upper left

epigastric region

Upper center

right lumbar region

Middle right

left lumbar region

Middle left

umbilical region

Middle center

right iliac region

Lower right

left iliac region

Lower left

hypogastric region, aka pelvic region

Lower center

sitting

The patient sits unsupported with her feet flat on the floor. The sitting position is used for physical exams of the head, neck, chest, back, eating or swallowing, and to ease difficulty breathing.

supine

The patient lies flat on his back with extended legs and arms at sides. The supine position is used for physical assessments of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities, diagnostic imaging, and procedures requiring access to the anterior body.

prone

The patient lies flat on his stomach with hips flexed, legs extended, and head turned to one side. The prone position is used for neck, back, and spinal surgeries, and to improve oxygenation in critically ill patients with severe respiratory failure.

lithotomy

The patient lies on her back with hips and knees flexed, legs elevated and supported in stirrups, and thighs apart. The lithotomy position is commonly used for gynecologic reasons, such as pelvic exams, vaginal ultrasounds, hysterectomies, and childbirth, but it can also be used for urologic procedures.

lateral

The patient lies on one side of his body with hip and knee flexed. This side-lying position is used to relieve pressure on the back and heels, to prevent choking while unconscious, to allow access for hip surgeries, and for comfort. Pregnant women are advised to sleep in the left-lateral position.

sim’s

This is a left-side lying position where the patient’s lower arm is extended behind the patient, and the upper arm is flexed in front of the patient at the shoulder and elbow. Both legs are flexed at the hip and knee, but the upper leg is more acutely flexed at the knee. The Sim’s position is used for rectal exams and procedures, perineal exams, to prevent choking while unconscious, and for comfort.

semi-fowler’s

The patient lies with the head of the bed elevated 30-45 degrees and legs extended. The semi-Fowler’s position is used for comfort, to ease breathing and promote lung expansion, to reduce the risk of aspiration during tube feedings, and to reduce strain after abdominal surgery.

high-fowler’s

The patient lies with the head of bed elevated to 60-90 degrees and legs extended. The high-Fowler’s position is used to ease respiratory distress, prevent aspiration during meals, assist with tube feedings or insertion of nasogastric tube, and for certain exams and imaging studies.

knee-chest

The patient kneels and lowers his shoulders so his face and chest rest on the exam table. The knee-chest position is primarily used for rectal exams and some lower spine surgeries. A modified knee-chest position can be obtained by patients lying on their left side and pulling their knees to their chest.

trendelenburg

The patient lies flat on his back with the head of bed lowered 15-30 degrees below the feet. The Trendelenburg position improves surgical access to pelvic and lower abdominal organs by using gravity. It was historically used to treat shock and hypovolemia, but this is no longer a routine practice.

reverse trendelenburg

The patient lies flat on his back with the head of bed raised 15-30 degrees above the feet. Reverse Trendelenburg reduces blood flow and pressure to the head, prevents acid reflux, and helps surgeons visualize upper abdominal organs.

orthopneic

The patient in a sitting position leans his body forward with arms propped over the bed table, pillows, or his knees. This eases respiratory effort by pulling abdominal organs away from the diaphragm, allowing maximum chest expansion, and engaging accessory muscles in the neck and shoulders.