Anatomical Terminology, Directional Terms & Regions 1.2

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical positions, directional terminology, body planes, cavities, and regional subdivisions as presented in the lecture transcript.

Anatomical position

A standard reference position where the subject stands erect, facing the observer with the head and eyes facing forward, feet flat on the floor and directed forward, and upper limbs at the sides with the palms turned forward.

Supinated

The specific orientation of the palms in the anatomical position, where they are facing forward.

Cranium

The portion of the head that encloses and protects the brain; also known as the skull.

Trunk

The central part of the body to which the upper and lower limbs are attached; it consists of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.

Axilla

The anatomical term for the armpit region.

Brachial (Brackum)

The anatomical term referring to the upper arm.

Antebrachial

The anatomical term referring to the forearm.

Pedal

An anatomical term referring to the foot.

Plantar

The anatomical term for the sole or base of the foot.

Superior

A directional term meaning toward the head or the upper part of a structure; also referred to as cephalic or cranial.

Inferior

A directional term meaning away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure; also referred to as caudal.

Caudal

A directional term meaning toward the tail end; in human anatomy, it is primarily used in the study of embryology.

Anterior

Nearer to or at the front of the body; also known as ventral.

Posterior

Nearer to or at the back of the body; also known as dorsal.

Medial

Nearer to the midline, which is an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal right and left sides.

Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body or a structure.

Intermediate

A directional term describing a structure located between two other structures.

Ipsilateral

Located on the same side of the body as another structure.

Contralateral

Located on the opposite side of the body from another structure.

Proximal

Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk or nearer to the origination of a structure.

Distal

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk or farther from the origination of a structure.

Superficial

Toward or on the surface of the body; also referred to as external.

Deep

Away from the surface of the body; also referred to as internal.

Frontal (Coronal) plane

A plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Midsagittal plane

A vertical plane that passes through the midline of the body or organ and divides it into equal right and left sides.

Parasagittal plane

A vertical plane that does not pass through the midline and divides the body or organ into unequal right and left sides.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Oblique plane

A plane that passes through the body or organ at an angle other than a $90^{\circ}$ angle.

Thoracic cavity

The chest cavity, which contains the pleural and pericardial cavities and the mediastinum.

Mediastinum

The central part of the thoracic cavity between the lungs, containing all thoracic organs except the lungs themselves.

Abdominopelvic cavity

A body cavity subdivided into the abdominal cavity (containing the stomach, liver, and intestines) and the pelvic cavity (containing urinary and reproductive organs).

Diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Serous membrane (Serosa)

A thin, double-layered membrane that lines body cavities and covers organs, containing a lubricating serous fluid to reduce friction.

Visceral layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane that covers and adheres to the organs within the cavities.

Parietal layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the walls of the body cavities.

Pleura

The serous membrane associated with the lungs and thoracic cavity.

Pericardium

The serous membrane that surrounds the heart.

Abdominopelvic quadrants

The four regions of the abdomen divided by a vertical and horizontal line passing through the umbilicus: Right Upper (RUQ), Left Upper (LUQ), Right Lower (RLQ), and Left Lower (LLQ).

Hypochondriac region

The right and left superior regions of the nine abdominopelvic regions, located below the rib cartilage.

Epigastric region

The superior central region of the nine abdominopelvic regions, located above the stomach area.

Lumbar region

The right and left middle regions of the nine abdominopelvic regions, located near the lumbar spine.

Umbilical region

The central region of the nine abdominopelvic regions, where the navel is located.

Inguinal region

The right and left inferior regions of the nine abdominopelvic regions, commonly referred to as the groin.

Hypogastric region

The inferior central region of the nine abdominopelvic regions, located below the umbilical region.