Chapter 2: The Body and Its Terminology

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical directions, regional terms, body planes, and cavities as presented in Chapter 2.

Anatomic Position

The standard body orientation used for navigation and describing location as outlined on page 21.

Sagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left segments.

Frontal plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower segments.

Superior (cephalic)

Directional term meaning toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior (caudal)

Directional term meaning toward the lower part of a structure or the feet.

Anterior (ventral)

Directional term meaning toward or at the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward or at the back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward or at the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward or at the body surface; for example, the skin is superficial to the bone.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the body surface or more internal; for example, bone is deep to the skin.

Ipsilateral

A term describing structures located on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

A term describing structures located on opposite sides of the body.

Cephalic

The regional term referring to the head.

Cervical

The regional term referring to the neck.

Axillary

The regional term referring to the armpit.

Brachial

The regional term referring to the arm.

Antecubital

The regional term referring to the front of the elbow.

Antebrachial

The regional term referring to the forearm.

Carpal

The regional term referring to the wrist.

Pollex

The specific regional term for the thumb.

Femoral

The regional term referring to the thigh.

Patellar

The regional term referring to the anterior surface of the knee.

Popliteal

The regional term referring to the hollow at the back of the knee.

Crural

The regional term referring to the leg.

Sural

The regional term referring to the calf.

Plantar

The regional term referring to the sole of the foot.

Hallux

The specific regional term for the great toe.

Inguinal

The regional term referring to the groin area.

Perineal

The region located between the anus and the external genitalia.

Cranial Cavity

The body cavity that contains the brain.

Thoracic Cavity

The body cavity that contains the lungs and heart.

Abdominal Cavity

The body cavity containing the stomach, liver, intestines, and other organs.

Pelvic Cavity

The body cavity containing the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs.

Oral Cavity

A cavity containing the mouth, teeth, and tongue; often considered part of the digestive cavity.

Nasal Cavity

A cavity located within and posterior to the nose that serves as part of the respiratory pathway.

Orbital Cavity

The cavity that contains the eyes in an anterior position.

Middle Ear Cavity

A cavity just medial to the ear drum that houses bones that transmit sound vibration to the inner ear.

Umbilical region

The central region of the nine abdominal regions, located around the umbilicus.

Epigastric region

The abdominal region located superior to the umbilical region.

Hypogastric (pubic) region

The abdominal region located inferior to the umbilical region.