Body Cavities, Planes and Directional Terms

Transverse Plane

Divides the body in half, separating head from feet.

Frontal/Coronal Plane

Divides the body in half, separating the front of the body from the back.

(Mid)Sagittal Plane

Divides the body in half, separating the left side of the body from the right side.

Anterior/Ventral Cavity

Cavities towards the front (anterior) of the body. Includes the thoracic and abdominal cavities which are divided from each other by the diaphragm.

Thoracic Cavity

Superior anterior cavity which contains the heart and lungs.

Abdominal Cavity

Inferior anterior cavity which contains the liver, intestines, and stomach.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Inferior anterior cavity which contains the liver, intestines, stomach and reproductive organs.

Pelvic Cavity

Inferior anterior cavity which contains the reproductive organs.

Cranial Cavity

Superior posterior cavity which contains the brain.

Vertebral Canal

Posterior cavity which holds the spinal cord.

Posterior/Dorsal Cavity

Contains the brain and the spinal cord.

Superior

Being closer to the head.

Anterior/ventral

Being more in front of another structure.

Posterior/dorsal

Being more in back of another structure.

Medial

Closer to the median plane (midline) than another structure.

Lateral

Further away from the median plane (midline) than another structure.

Proximal

Used with the limbs, refers to a structure being closer to the root of the limb.

Distal

Used with the limbs, refers to a structure being further from the root of the limb.

Inferior

Closer to the feet than another structure.

Superior

Closer to the head than another structure.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body than another structure.

Deep

More internal than another structure.

Central

Closer to the center of the body or organ.

Peripheral

Closer to the periphery or edge of a structure.

The eyes are _____________ to the mouth.

Insert directional term:

superior

The rib cage is _______________ to the spine.

Insert directional term:

anterior

The kidneys are ______________ to the stomach.

Posterior

Insert directional term:

The sternum (breast bone) is __________ to the armpit.

Medial

The pinky toe is ____________ to the big toe.

Insert directional term:

Lateral

The elbow is _____________ to the fingers.

Insert directional term:

Proximal

The heel is ____________ to the knee.

Distal

The intestines are __________ to the lungs.

Insert directional term:

Inferior

The nose is ___________ to the chin.

Insert directional term:

Superior