Anatomical Terms and Body Planes

Flashcards covering anatomical terms, body planes, directional terms, body cavities, and specific medical terminology related to anatomy.

Anatomical Position

A standard position of the body that serves as a reference point for anatomical terminology, standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into right and left parts, with a midsagittal plane indicating equal halves.

Frontal Plane

Also known as the coronal plane, it divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

Transverse Plane

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

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline, towards the sides of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk of the body.

Distal

Farther from the trunk of the body.

Superior

Above or towards the head.

Inferior

Below or towards the feet.

Dorsal

Referring to the back of the body; synonymous with posterior.

Ventral

Referring to the front of the body; synonymous with anterior.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

A cavity that houses abdominal organs and some refer to abdominal and pelvic cavities together.

Pleura

Serous membrane surrounding the lungs.

Pericardium

Serous membrane surrounding the heart.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane surrounding the abdominal organs.

Body Cavities

Internal spaces in the body that are divided into dorsal and ventral cavities.

Serous Fluid

Fluid that separates the parietal and visceral serosa, reducing friction between moving organs.

Directional Terms

Terms used to describe the location of structures in relation to one another.

Regional Terms

Terms that designate specific areas of the body, often referenced in anatomy lab.

Anatomical Variability

The concept that there can be slight variations in anatomical structures among individuals.

Myopia

Nearsightedness, a condition where distant objects appear blurred.

Hematology

The study of blood and blood disorders.

Tachycardia

Abnormally rapid heart rate.