Ch1 Narration 1.4 Language of Anatomy

Anatomical position

Standard body position used to avoid confusion; standing erect, feet parallel, arms at sides with palms facing forward.

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

Anterior

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior

Toward or at the backside of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Close to the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Sagittal section

Divides the body (or organ) into left and right parts.

Median (midsagittal) section

Divides the body (or organ) into equal left and right parts.

Frontal (coronal) section

Divides the body (or organ) into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse (cross) section

Divides the body (or organ) into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal body cavity

Includes the cranial cavity (houses the brain) and spinal cavity (houses the spinal cord).

Ventral body cavity

Includes the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity, separated by the diaphragm.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity superior to the diaphragm, housing the heart, lungs, and other organs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Cavity inferior to the diaphragm, containing abdominal and pelvic organs.

Abdominopelvic quadrants

Four subdivisions used to identify locations in the abdominal area.

Abdominopelvic regions

Nine regions used for more precise location of abdominal and pelvic organs.