Anatomy and Physiology: Body Structures, Regions, and Positions

Positional term

A term used to describe a specific location of a body structure.

Anatomical position: posture

Standing upright (erect).

Anatomical position: head/eyes

Head level, eyes facing forward.

Anatomical position: arms

Arms at the sides.

Anatomical position: hands

Palms facing forward (thumbs point outward).

Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the body (how body structures work).

Body cavity

A hollow area of the body containing organs.

Regional term

A term describing a specific part (region) of the body.

Anatomical position (definition)

The standard reference position used to describe the human body in anatomy.

Anatomical position: feet

Feet flat and facing forward.

Why anatomical position matters

It creates a consistent reference so healthcare professionals communicate locations accurately.

Axial division

Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular division

Upper and lower extremities (arms and legs).

Ventral cavity (location)

Front (anterior) body cavity.

Dorsal cavity (location)

Back (posterior) body cavity.

Thoracic cavity

A subdivision of the ventral cavity in the chest area.

Abdominopelvic cavity

A subdivision of the ventral cavity in the abdomen/pelvis area.

Diaphragm

A muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Cranial cavity

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that contains the brain.

Spinal canal (vertebral cavity)

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Oral cavity

Small cavity containing teeth and tongue.

Nasal cavity

Small cavity containing sinuses.

Orbital cavities

Small cavities containing the eyes and associated structures.

Middle ear cavities

Small cavities containing middle ear bones.

Foot (common → anatomical term)

Pes

Foot region

Pedal

Shin (common → anatomical term)

Crus

Shin region

Crural

Calf (common → anatomical term)

Sura

Calf region

Sural

Kneecap (structure)

Patella

Front of knee region

Patellar

Back of knee (structure/region)

Popliteal

Thigh (common → anatomical term)

Femoris

Thigh region

Femoral

Groin region

Inguinal

Butt region

Gluteal

Stomach area region

Abdominal

Low back region

Lumbar

Chest region

Thoracic

Lateral chest region

Pectoral

Middle chest (structure)

Sternum

Middle chest region

Sternal

Neck region

Cervical

Chin region

Mental

Head region

Cephalic

Shoulder region

Acromial

Arm (upper arm) region

Brachial

Front of elbow region

Antecubital

Back of elbow region

Olecranal

Wrist region

Carpal

Hand region

Manual

Forearm region

Antebrachial

Superior

Above; toward the head.

Inferior

Below; toward the feet.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk (used mostly for limbs).

Distal

Farther from the trunk (used mostly for limbs).

Superficial

Toward the surface.

Deep

Away from the surface; more internal.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body.

Example: superior/inferior

The cephalon is superior to the thorax; the thorax is inferior to the cephalon.

Example: anterior/posterior

The sternum is anterior to the heart; the heart is posterior to the sternum.

Example: medial/lateral

The nose is medial to the ears; the ears are lateral to the nose.

Example: proximal/distal

The elbow is proximal to the wrist; the wrist is distal to the elbow.

Example: superficial/deep

The skin is superficial to the stomach; the stomach is deep to the skin.

Example: ipsilateral/contralateral

The right shoulder and right elbow are ipsilateral; the right shoulder and left elbow are contralateral.

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