General Orientation to Human Anatomy

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

vertical plane which divides the body into anterior and posterior

Transverse Plane

horizontal plane which divides the body into superior and inferior

Sagittal Plane

vertical plane which divides the body into left and right

Median (Midsagittal) Plane

vertical plane which divides the body into EQUAL left and right halves

Parasagittal Plane

To either side of the Median Plane

Rostral

towards the forehead or nose

Caudal

towards the tail or inferior end

Ipsilateral

on the same side

Contralateral

on opposite sides

Axial Region

head, neck, trunk

Appendicular Region

limbs

Hypochondriac Region

upper sides

Lumbar Region

middle sides

Intertubercular Region

lower sides

Epigastric Region

upper middle

Umbilical Region

middle middle

Hypogastric Region

lower middle

Axillary

armpit

Acrominal

shoulder

Brachial

arm

Cubital

elbow

Antebrachial

forearm

Carpal

wrist

Palmar

palm

Coxal

hip

Patellar

knee

Cephalic

head

Facial

face

Cervical

neck

Thoracic

chest

Sternal

sternum

Pectoral

pecs

Umbilical

belly button

Inguinal

groin

Mons pubis

fatty tissue that covers the front of the pubic bone

Femoral

thigh

Crural

leg

Tarsal

ankle

Pedal

foot

Plantar Surface

sole

Cranial

cranium

Nuchal

back of neck

Interscapular

between scapula

Scapular

scapula

Vertebral

spine

Lumbar

lower spine

Sacral

sacrum

Gluteal

buttock

Perineal

between genitals and anus

Popliteal

behind the knee

Sural

calf

Calcaneal

heel

Mediastinum

thick wall between lungs from base of neck to diaphragm

Pericardial Cavity

between parietal and visceral pericardium

Pleural Cavity

between parietal and visceral pleura

Abdominopelvic Cavity

lined with peritoneum

Intraperitoneal

inside the peritoneum

Retroperitoneal

behind the peritoneum

Intraperitoneal Structures

stomach, duodenal bulb, jejunum, ileum, cecum, appendix, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, upper third of rectum, liver, spleen, tail of pancreas

Retroperitoneal Structures

kidneys, ureters, adrenal glands, most of pancreas, abdominal parts of aorta and inferior vena cava