[Principles of Health Science] Body Planes, Cavities, Body Regions

abdominal cavity

a body cavity consisting of the upper abdominal cavity and lower abdominal (pelvic) cavity. The upper abdominal cavity contains the stomach, small intestine, most of the large intestine, appendix, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. The lower abdominal cavity contains the urinary bladder, the reproductive organs, and the last part of the large intestine.

abdominal regions

Division of the abdominal cavity into nine sections. The center regions are the epigastric, umbilical, and hypogastric, or pelvic. On either side of the center the regions are the hypochondriac, lumbar, and iliac, or inguinal.

anterior

Before or in front of.

bilateral

Affecting both sides of the body.

body cavities

Spaces within the body that contain vital organs.

body planes

Imaginary lines drawn through the body at various parts to separate the body into sections.

buccal cavity

Mouth.

caudal

Pertaining to any tail or tail-like structure.

cranial

Pertaining to the skull or cranium.

cranial cavity

Section of the dorsal cavity that contains the brain.

deep

Internal; term that relates to structures within the body.

distal

Most distant or farthest from the trunk, center, or midline.

dorsal

Pertaining to the back; in back of.

dorsal cavity

One long, continuous cavity located on the back of the body; divided into the cranial cavity and spinal cavity.

frontal (coronal) plane

Imaginary line that separates the body into a front section and a back section.

inferior

Located near the soles of the feet.

lateral

Pertaining to the side.

medial

Pertaining to the middle or midline.

midsagittal (median) plane

A sagittal plane that runs down the midline of the body and divides the body into equal halves.

nasal cavity

Space between the cranium and the roof of the mouth.

orbital cavity

Body cavity that contains the eyes.

pelvic cavity

The lower abdominal cavity; contains the urinary bladder, the reproductive organs, and the last part of the large intestine.

posterior

Toward the back; behind.

proximal

Closest to the point of attachment or area of reference.

sagittal plane

Imaginary line that divides the body into left and right sections.

spinal cavity

Section of the dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord.

superficial

Term that relates to structures within the body; indicates that the structures are located near the body surface.

superior

Above, on top of, or higher than.

thoracic cavity

Section of the ventral cavity located in the chest that contains the esophagus, trachea, bronchi, lungs, heart, and large blood vessels.

transverse plane

Imaginary line drawn through the body to separate the body into a top half and a bottom half.

unilateral

Affecting only one side.

ventral

Belly (Abdominal).

ventral cavities

Body cavities separated into two distinct cavities (thoracic and abdominal cavities) by the diaphragm.

Appendicular skeleton

The bones that form the limbs or extremities of the body.

Axial skeleton

The bones of the skull, rib cage, and spinal column; the bones that form the trunk of the body.