Anatomical Directional Terms, Cavities, and Planes

Flashcards covering anatomical directional terms, body cavities, and body planes as described in the lecture notes.

Anatomical Position

: body standing upright, facing forward, feet together, arms at the sides with palms facing forward.

Midline

An imaginary vertical line that runs down the middle of the body.

Anterior

In front or toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Back or toward the back of the body.

Lateral

Toward the side or away from the midline.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Superior

Above, on top, toward the head.

Inferior

Below, lower part, toward the feet.

Proximal

Nearest to the point of origin or attachment.

Distal

Farther from the point of origin or attachment.

Superficial

Toward the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; closer to the interior.

Cranial Cavity

Cavity that contains the brain.

Spinal Cavity

Cavity that contains the spine.

Dorsal Cavity

The combination of cranial and spinal cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Cavity that contains the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea.

Abdominal Cavity

Cavity that contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys.

Pelvic Cavity

Cavity containing reproductive organs, urinary bladder, and rectum.

Ventral Cavity

Denotes the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Combined cavity that includes the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Body Cavities

The spaces within the body that house internal organs (cranial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, etc.).

Frontal Plane

Also called the coronal plane; divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right portions; the plane is sagittal.

Transverse Plane

Also called the axial plane; divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Oblique Plane

An angled plane that passes through the body.