Body Terms (P1)

Surface anatomy, regional terminology, directional terminologies, body planes and sections, body cavities

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/ventral

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

posterior/dorsal

toward or at the backside of the body; behind

medial

toward or at the midline of the body

lateral

away from the midline of the body

proximal

close to the origin of the 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 a the body surface; more external

deep/internal

away from the body surface; more internal

sagittal plane

a plane that runs lengthwise or longitudinally down the length of the body, dividing it into right and left parts

frontal (coronal) plane

a longitudinal plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

transverse plane

a plane that runs horizontally, dividing the body into superior and inferior parts (cross sections)

dorsal body cavity

consists of the cranial and spinal cavities

cranial cavity

contains the brain

spinal cavity

runs within the bony vertebral column and protects the spinal cord

ventral body cavity

contains the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity

thoracic cavity

separated by muscular diaphragm; contains the heart and lungs, protected by the bony rib cage

abdominal cavity

the area that houses the stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs

pelvic cavity

partially enclosed by the bony pelvis and contains the reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum

cephalic

a position closer to or toward the head

cranial

the skull or head (cranium)

thoracic

the chest region

scapular

a large, flat, triangular bone located in the upper back

perineal

the diamond-shaped region at the base of the pelvis, located between the thighs

pubic

the lower anterior region of the torso, situated just above the external genitals

olecranal

back of the elbow

cubital

front of the elbow

metacarpal

five long bones in the human hand that forms the structural foundation of the palm

femoral

relates to the femur and the surrounding region of the upper leg

fibular/peroneal

structures related to the fibula (the outer, smaller bone of the lower leg) or the lateral side of the leg

digits/phalanges

finger-like projection at the terminal end of a limb in vertebrates

intermediate

directional term used to describe a structure situated in the middle, between two other reference points

supine

a body lying horizontally with the face and torso facing upward

frontal

structures situated at the front of the body or relating to the forehead

mental

the chin or lower jaw area

sternal

anything related to the sternum (breastbone)

vertebral

related to the vertebrae, the individual interlocking bones that stack together to form the human spine

abdominal

the region of the trunk located between the chest (thorax) and the pelvis

upper limb/extremity

the region of the appendicular skeleton extending from the shoulder down to the fingertips

antebrachial

the forearm; the region of the upper limb extending from the elbow proximally to the wrist distally

palmar

the palm (anterior/ventral surface) of the hand

patellar

the kneecap; the largest sesamoid bone in the human body

pedal

anything associated with or located in the foot

plantar

the bottom or sole of the foot

prone

a body position in which a person is lying face down on their stomach

longitudinal section

a section along the long axis of a structure (ex. sagittal plane or frontal section)

orbital

the bony cavity within the skull that houses the eyeball, extraocular muscles, and optic nerves

otic

relating to or located in the region of the ear

axillary

the axilla or armpit or space directly under the shoulder joint

lumbar

the region of the lower back, situated between the ribcage and the pelvis

umbilical

anything pertaining to the umbilicus (belly button or naval) or the umbilical cord

acromial

the highest, most prominent bony point of your shoulder blade (scapula)

carpal

anything relating to the wrist or the eight small bones that connect the hand to the forearm