Anatomical Locations and Terminology

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical positions, directional terms, body planes, cavities, and abdominal regions/quadrants.

Standard Anatomical Position

Body is facing forward, standing erect, feet parallel, holding arms at side with palms facing forward.

Prone

Lying on your stomach; often used for neck and spinal surgeries.

Supine

Lying on your back ("on your spine").

Trendelenburg

Table or bed is tilted so the head is lower than the feet; usually used as an emergency treatment for hypotension or shock.

Low Fowler’s

Sitting position at a $30^\text{o}$ angle.

Fowler’s

Sitting position at a $45^\text{o}$ angle.

High Fowler’s

Sitting position at a $90^\text{o}$ angle.

Directional terms

Refer to the location of a structure or the relative position of a body part to another one.

Anterior/Ventral

Front of the body.

Posterior/Dorsal

Back of body.

Medial

Toward the midline (middle) of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline (middle) of the body.

Bilateral

Refers to both sides.

Intermediate

Between two structures.

Superior

Refers to head, top or upper body or section.

Inferior

Refers to tail, bottom or lower body or section.

Cranial

Refers to the head.

Caudal

Refers to the tail or tailbone.

Superficial

On or near the surface (such as skin and hair).

Deep

On the inside (such as heart and intestines).

Proximal

Refers to nearest to the point of insertion or attachment (e.g., shoulders and hips).

Distal

Refers to farthest from the point of insertion or attachment (e.g., fingers and toes).

Body planes

An imaginary line that divides the body or an organ into sections.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left halves.

Midsagittal plane

Divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Frontal (Coronal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into top and bottom sections.

Body cavities

Spaces within the body that contain and protect organs.

Dorsal Cavity

Consists of the Cranial and Spinal cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Contains the brain.

Spinal Cavity

Contains the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Consists of the Thoracic, Abdominal, and Pelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Contains the heart, lungs, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, and thymus gland.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, large and small intestines, and appendix.

Pelvic Cavity

Contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The collective term for the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal Quadrants

Four subdivisions of the abdomen using the navel (umbilicus) as a landmark, always from the perspective of the patient in Anatomical Position.

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Contains the liver, stomach, gallbladder, duodenum, right kidney, pancreas, and the right adrenal gland.

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Contains the appendix, reproductive organs, and right ureter.

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Contains the liver, stomach, pancreas, left kidney, spleen, and the left adrenal gland.

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

Contains the left ureter and reproductive organs.

Epigastric region

Abdominal area just below the sternum (breastbone).

Umbilical region

Abdominal area around the umbilicus (navel).

Hypogastric region

Abdominal area below the stomach (pubic area).

Hypochondriac regions

Abdominal areas located below the ribs (right and left).

Lumbar regions

Abdominal areas on each side of the umbilicus (right and left).

Iliac (Inguinal) regions

Abdominal areas to the side of the pubic area (right and left).