Body Organization, Membranes, and Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards based on Laboratory Exercise 2 covering anatomical directional terms, body planes, serous membranes, and body regions.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front or belly.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back.

Superior (cephalad)

Toward the head or upward or above; pertains to the trunk anatomy.

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the tail or downward or below; pertains to the trunk anatomy.

Proximal

Toward the trunk or origin of a structure; pertains to the limb anatomy.

Distal

Further from the trunk or origin of a structure; pertains to the limb anatomy.

Medial

Toward the midline (median plane).

Lateral

Further from the midline (median plane).

Superficial

Toward the body surface.

Deep

Further away from the body surface.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body (right or left).

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body (right and left).

Midsagittal (median) plane

Divides an equal left and right.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides superior and inferior.

Sagittal (paramedian; parasagittal) plane

Divides an unequal left and right.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides anterior and posterior.

Parietal pleura

The tissue layer that lines the pleural cavity.

Visceral pleura

The outermost tissue on the surface of each lung.

Pleural cavity

The small space between the visceral and parietal pleura.

Parietal pericardium

The tissue that lines the pericardial sac.

Visceral pericardium

The tissue layer located on the surface of the heart.

Pericardial cavity

The small space between the visceral and parietal pericardium.

Visceral peritoneum

Comprises the inner serous membrane layers covering the abdominal organs.

Parietal peritoneum

The outer membrane lining of the abdominal wall.

Peritoneal cavity

The potential space between the visceral and parietal peritoneum.

Greater omentum

The large, apron-like fatty fold hanging from the stomach.

Cephalic

Pertaining to the head.

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck.

Acromial

Pertaining to the shoulder.

Axillary

Pertaining to the armpit.

Brachial

Pertaining to the arm.

Antecubital

Pertaining to the anterior elbow.

Antebrachial

Pertaining to the forearm.

Carpal

Pertaining to the wrist.

Femoral

Pertaining to the thigh.

Patellar

Pertaining to the anterior knee.

Popliteal

Pertaining to the posterior knee.

Sural

Pertaining to the calf.

Plantar

Pertaining to the sole of the foot.