Anatomical Terminology, Body Regions, Planes, and Cavities

A complete vocabulary flashcard deck covering anatomical orientation, regional terms, body planes, and body cavities directly based on the lecture transcript.

Anatomical Position

To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward

Anterior

front of the body

Posterior

toward the back

Superior (cranial)

toward the head

Inferior (caudal)

away from the head

Proximal

Closer 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

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline

Superficial

near the surface (skin is superficial to the muscle)

Deep

away from the surface (bone is deep to the skin)

Abdominal

abdomen

Cervical

neck

Gluteal

buttock

Inguinal

groin

Lumbar

lower back

Palmar

palm

Pubic

genital region

Sacral

between hips

Sternal

sternum

Thoracic

chest

Vertebral

spinal column

Buccal

cheek

Cranial

skull

Cephalic

head

Frontal

forehead

Mental

chin

Nasal

nose

Occipital

back of head

Ocular

eye

Oral

mouth

Otic

ear

Acromial

point of shoulder

Antebrachial

forearm

Antecubital

front of elbow

Axillary

armpit

Carpal

wrist

Digital

fingers, toes

Manual

hand

Metacarpal

bones of the hand

Pollex

thumb

Coxal

hip

Crural

leg (shin area)

Femoral

thigh

Hallux

great toe (big toe)

Metatarsal

bones of the foot

Patellar

anterior knee/kneecap

Plantar

sole of foot

Popliteal

back of knee

Sural

calf

Tarsal

ankle

Sagittal Plane

divides body into left and right

Migsagittal Plane

equal halves

Parasagittal Plane

Divides body into unequal right and left sides

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

divides body into anterior and posterior sides

Transverse Plane (Horizontal Plane)

divides the body into upper and lower portions

Oblique Plane

passes through the body at an angle

Dorsal Body Cavity

contains the cranial cavity and spinal column

Cranial Cavity

contains the brain

Vertebral Cavity

contains the spinal cord

Thoracic Cavity

contains heart and lungs

Abdominal Cavity

Contains stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver, and other organs

Pelvic Cavity

Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

Abdominopelvic Cavity

abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity