Unit 2: Anatomical Terms Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering directional terms, anatomical positions, planes of the body, body regions, and body cavities based on the Unit 2 lecture transcript.

Anatomical Position

Standing straight up, feet flat on the ground, arms at your side, and palms facing forward.

Superior

Above something else.

Inferior

Below something else.

Anterior (Ventral)

Towards your front.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Towards your back.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or attachment point.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or attachment point.

Central

Toward the brain or spinal cord.

Peripheral

Away from the brain or spinal cord (toward the limbs).

Superficial

Close to the body surface (when looking from the inside towards the skin).

Deep

Closer to the inside of the body (farther from the surface of the body).

Medial

Towards the middle.

Lateral

Away from the middle (towards a side).

Supine

Body laying face up.

Prone

Body laying face down.

Planes of the Body

Imaginary flat surface passing through the body.

Sagittal (Median) Plane

Divides into left and right portions.

Midsagittal Plane

Passes through the midline of the body.

Parasagittal Plane

A cut that does not pass through the midline.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Divides body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions horizontally.

Frontal (Cephalic)

Forehead.

Orbital

Eye.

Buccal

Cheek.

Mental

Chin.

Occipital

Posterior part of the cephalic (head) region.

Cervical

Front of your neck.

Nuchal

Back of your neck.

Celiac

Abdomen.

Mammary

Breast.

Sternal

Area in the center of your chest, the sternum.

Pectoral

Area around your breast.

Costal

Ribs.

Inguinal

Groin.

Genital

Reproductive organs.

Coxal

Hip.

Dorsum

The back.

Vertebral

Area of your spine (on your back).

Interscapular

Area between both of your shoulder blades (on your back).

Lumbar

Lower back.

Sacral

Between hips.

Perineal

Between the anus and the pubic arch.

Acromial

Point of shoulder.

Brachial

Arm.

Antecubital

Front of elbow.

Cubital

Elbow.

Antebrachium

Forearm.

Palmer

Palm.

Axillary

Armpit.

Digital

Fingers.

Gluteal

Buttocks.

Femoral

Thigh.

Popliteal

Back of knee.

Patellar

Knee.

Cural

Leg.

Plantar

Sole of foot.

Pedal

Foot.

Posterior (Dorsal) Body Cavity

Body cavity containing the cranial cavity and vertebral cavity.

Anterior (Ventral) Body Cavity

Body cavity containing the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Diaphragm

A muscle that separates the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Cranial Cavity

Cavity where the skull encloses the brain.

Vertebral Cavity

Cavity where the vertebrae enclose the spinal cord.

Pleural Cavity

Sub-cavity of the thoracic cavity containing the lungs.

Pericardial Cavity

Sub-cavity of the thoracic cavity containing the heart.

Mediastinum

Sub-cavity of the thoracic cavity containing the thymus and vessels from the heart.

Abdominal Cavity

Sub-cavity of the abdominopelvic cavity containing digestive organs and kidneys.

Pelvic Cavity

Sub-cavity of the abdominopelvic cavity containing bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs.