Anatomical Terminology and Organ Systems

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing anatomical directional terms, anatomical regions, body planes, body cavities, serous membranes, and organ systems.

Quadrants of the abdomen

Definition: The abdomen is divided into four quadrants: Upper Right (URQ), Upper Left (ULQ), Lower Right (LRQ), and Lower Left (LLQ) for organ location.

Flashcard #2Term: Upper Right Quadrant (URQ)

Definition: Contains the liver, gallbladder, and duodenum.

Flashcard #3Term: Upper Left Quadrant (ULQ)

Definition: Includes the stomach, pancreas, and spleen.

Flashcard #4Term: Lower Right Quadrant (LRQ)

Definition: Houses the appendix and cecum.

Flashcard #5Term: Lower Left Quadrant (LLQ)

Definition: Contains the descending colon and sigmoid colon.

Flashcard #6Term: Nine regions of the abdomen

Definition: A more precise anatomical division of the abdomen into nine regions for specific organ location.

Flashcard #7Term: Hypochondriac region (Left & Right)

Definition: The regions located below the ribs on either side; the right contains the liver, while the left has the spleen.

Flashcard #8Term: Lateral abdominal region (Left & Right)

Definition: The regions on either side of the umbilical region.

Flashcard #9Term: Inguinal region (Left & Right)

Definition: The regions located in the lower part of the abdomen, near the groin.

Flashcard #10Term: Epigastric region

Definition: The area situated above the stomach.

Flashcard #11Term: Umbilical region

Definition: The central area around the navel.

Flashcard #12Term: Hypogastric region

Definition: The area located below the umbilical region.

Anatomical Position

The standard position of the body: standing erect, heels together, arms at side with palms facing forward, and thumbs directed laterally.

Axial

Refers to the central part of the body, including the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular

Relates to the limbs and their attachments to the axial skeleton.

Prone

Body position lying face down.

Supine

Body position lying face up.

Superior

Referring to a position above or higher than another part of the body.

Inferior

Referring to a position below or lower than another part of the body.

Cephalic

Referring to the head or upper part of the body.

Caudal

Referring to the tail or lower part of the body.

Anterior (ventral)

Referring to the front or belly side of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Referring to the back side of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Superficial

Situated near the surface of the body.

Deep

Located further away from the surface of the body.

Proximal

Referring to a structure being closer to the root of the limb.

Distal

Referring to a structure being further away from the root of the limb.

Cervical

Referring to the neck region of the anterior axis.

Anterior Regions of the Axis - Trunk

Includes areas such as acromial, thoracic/pectoral, mammary, sternal, abdominal, and umbilical.

Anterior Regions of the Axis - Pelvis

Includes areas such as coxal, inguinal, perineal, pubic, and pudendal.

Posterior Regions of the Axis - Head

Includes areas such as otic and occipital.

Posterior Regions of the Axis - Trunk

Includes areas such as vertebral, scapular, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and gluteal.

Upper Extremity - Anterior and Posterior Regions

Includes areas such as axillary, brachial, cubital, olecranon, antebrachial, carpal, digital, and manual.

Femoral

Referring to the thigh region.

Geniculate

Relating to the bend of the knee.

Patellar

Referring to the kneecap region.

Popliteal

Relating to the area behind the knee.

Fibular (Peroneal)

Referring to the side of the leg.

Crural

Referring to the leg region, specifically the lower leg.

Sural

Referring to the calf region.

Tarsal

Relating to the ankle region.

Calcaneal

Referring to the heel of the foot.

Pedal

Relating to the foot.

Dorsum

Referring to the back or upper side of the foot.

Plantar

Referring to the sole of the foot.

Digital

Relating to the fingers or toes.

Divisions of the abdomen

Quadrants: Upper Right (liver, gallbladder, duodenum), Upper Left (stomach, pancreas, spleen), Lower Right (appendix, cecum), Lower Left (descending and sigmoid colon). These quadrants help in locating viscera.

Body Planes and Sections

Median (Midsagittal) plane - a section down the midline; Parasagittal plane - parallel to the midline; Frontal/Coronal plane - divides ventral and dorsal surfaces; Horizontal (transverse) plane - a horizontal section front to back.

Dorsal Body Cavities

Includes cranial cavity and vertebral canal.

Ventral Body Cavities

Includes thoracic cavity (mediastinum, pleural cavity, pericardial cavity).