Anatomical Terminology and Body Regions

Flashcards covering directional terms, regional body parts (axial and appendicular), and body cavities for review.

Anterior (ventral)

Towards the front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

Towards the back of the body

Medial

Towards the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or trunk

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or trunk

Superficial

Towards or at the body surface

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body

Axial Body Parts

Forms the main vertical axis (head, neck, and trunk)

Cephalic Region

The head region

Cranial

Pertaining to the skull

Facial

Pertaining to the face

Frontal

Forehead

Orbital

Eye region

Buccal

Cheek

Otic

Ear

Mental

Chin

Oral

Mouth

Cervical Region

Connects head to trunk

Thoracic Region (Thorax/Chest)

Upper trunk

Axillary

Armpit

Mammary

Breast

Abdominal Region (Abdomen)

Central trunk

Pelvic Region (Pelvis)

Lower trunk

Pubic

Genital region

Dorsal Region (Back)

Posterior trunk

Vertebral

Spinal column

Lumbar

Lower back

Sacral

Posterior pelvis

Gluteal

Buttock

Perineal

Between anus and external genitalia

Appendicular Body Parts

The limbs (arms and legs)

Deltoid Region (Shoulder)

The shoulder area

Brachial Region (Arm)

Upper arm

Antecubital

Anterior elbow pit

Olecranal/Cubital

Posterior elbow

Antebrachial Region (Forearm)

Elbow to wrist

Carpal Region (Wrist)

The wrist area

Manual Region (Hand)

The hand area

Palmar/Volar

Palm of the hand

Dorsum of Hand

Back of the hand

Digital/Phalangeal (Fingers)

Pertaining to the fingers

Pollex

Thumb

Coxal Region (Hip)

The hip area

Femoral Region (Thigh)

Hip to knee

Patellar

Anterior kneecap

Popliteal

Posterior knee pit

Crural Region (Leg)

Knee to ankle

Sural

Calf

Fibular/Peroneal

Lateral side of the leg

Tarsal Region (Ankle)

The ankle area

Pedal Region (Foot)

The foot area

Plantar

Sole of foot

Dorsum of Foot

Top of foot

Calcaneal

Heel

Digital/Phalangeal (Toes)

Pertaining to the toes

Hallux

Big toe

Body Cavities

Spaces within the body that contain organs and are lined by membranes

Dorsal Body Cavity

Protects the nervous system

Cranial Cavity

Contains the brain

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

Encases the spinal cord

Ventral Body Cavity

Houses most visceral organs

Thoracic Cavity

Superior cavity, separated from abdominopelvic cavity by the diaphragm

Pleural Cavities

Each surrounds a lung

Mediastinum

Central region of the thoracic cavity containing the heart, esophagus, and trachea

Pericardial Cavity

Encloses the heart

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Inferior to the diaphragm

Abdominal Cavity

Contains organs like the stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver

Pelvic Cavity

Contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum