HESI A2 ANATOMY

Directional Terms

Directional terms help medical professionals explain where different body parts are located in relation to one another. These terms describe the anatomical location, so they are different from the anatomical planes of the body.

Superior (cranial)

Towards the head or upper part of the body

Inferior (caudal)

Towards the lower part of the body

Anterior (ventral)

Towards the front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

Towards the back of the body

Medial

Towards the midline of the body

Lateral

Towards the outside of the body

Proximal

Towards the trunk of the body or the origin of the body part

Distal

Away from the trunk of the body or the origin of the body part

Superficial

Located close to the surface of the body

Deep

Located inside the body

Body Planes

A body plane is the division of the body into two different parts. Body sections are slices of the body in a particular plane. Thus, body planes and body sections are important categorizations for identifying where body parts are located

midsagittal ( also known as the lateral plane)

plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

dorsal plane is also known as the transverse plane

divides the body into upper and lower halves

The frontal plane is also known as the coronal plane

separates the body into front and back

Body Cavities

The anatomical planes of the body are just one way to describe the location of different body parts. The medical profession also describes the anatomical location using body cavities. A body cavity is a fluid-filled space within the body that holds organs.

Dorsal cavity

The dorsal cavity is located at the back of the body

EX: The dorsal cavity is divided into two smaller cavities that contain the brain and spine

Cranial cavity

The cranial cavity is the superior portion of the dorsal cavity

EX: Brain

Spinal cavity

The spinal cavity is located posteriorly to the cranial cavity

EX: Spinal cord

Ventral cavity

The ventral cavity is located at the front of the body and can be further divided into the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities

EX: Heart, lungs, reproductive and digestive organs

Thoracic cavity

The thoracic cavity is located superiorly in the ventral cavity and contains the heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, and associated nerves and blood vessels

Pleural cavity

The pleural cavity is located within the thoracic cavity

EX: Lungs

Pericardial cavity

The pericardial cavity is located within the thoracic cavity

EX: Heart

Which type of specialized cell carries oxygen throughout the body?

Red blood cells

The peripheral nervous system is comprised of sensory neurons and which other type of neuron?

Motor neurons