A&P I Regional, Directional Terms

Superior or cranial - Toward the head or the upper part of a structure

Inferior or caudal - Toward the feet or the lower part of a structure

Anterior or ventral - Toward the front of the body

Posterior or dorsal - Toward the back of the body

Medial - Toward the midline of the body

Lateral - Away from the midline, toward the side

Proximal - Closer to the point of attachment or the trunk

Distal - Farther from the point of attachment or the trunk

Superficial - Closer to the surface

Deep - Farther below the surface, more internal

Coronal or frontal plane - Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts

Midsagittal - Sagittal plane cut down the exact midline; equal left/right halves

Parasagittal - Sagittal plane cut off the midline; unequal left/right parts

Transverse Plane - Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts

Dorsal Cavity

Body cavity that houses the central nervous system

Cranial Cavity

Dorsal cavity that contains the brain

Vertebral Cavity

Dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord

Ventral Cavity

Body cavity that houses the internal organs (viscera)

Thoracic Cavity

Ventral cavity; the chest cavity

Pleural Cavity

Space surrounding each lung

Mediastinum

Central space between the lungs; contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, and great vessels

Pericardial Cavity

Space surrounding the heart

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Combined abdominal and pelvic space; no wall separates them Abdominal Cavity

Peritoneal Cavity

Potential space within the abdominal cavity containing serous fluid; lined by the peritoneum

Pelvic Cavity

Contains the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs

Right Hypochondriac Region

Upper right abdominopelvic region, under the rib cartilage Epigastric Region

Left Hypochondriac Region

Upper left abdominopelvic region, under the rib cartilage

Right Lumbar Region

Mid right abdominopelvic region, at waist level

Umbilical Region

Mid middle abdominopelvic region, around the belly button

Left Lumbar Region

Mid left abdominopelvic region, at waist level

Right Iliac Region

Lower right abdominopelvic region, near the hip bone

Hypogastric Region

Lower middle abdominopelvic region, below the belly button

Left Iliac Region

Lower left abdominopelvic region, near the hip bone

Abdominal - Belly area

Cervical - Neck area

Gluteal - Buttock area

Inguinal - Groin area

Lumbar - Lower back

Pelvic - Pelvis area

Pubic - Genital area

Sacral - Area over the sacrum

Sternal - Middle of the chest over the breastbone

Thoracic - Chest area

Vertebral - Spine area

Buccal - Cheek area

Cranial - Skull area

Cephalic - Entire head

Frontal - Forehead area

Mental - Chin area

Nasal - Nose area

Occipital - Back of the head

Ocular - Eye area

Oral - Mouth area

Otic - Ear area

Acromial - Tip of the shoulder

Antebrachial - Forearm

Antecubital - Front of the elbow

Axillary - Armpit

Brachial - Upper arm

Carpal - Wrist

Digital - Fingers or toes

Manual - Hand

Metacarpal - Back of the hand

Palmar - Palm of the hand

Pollex - Thumb

Coxal - Hip area

Crural - Front of the lower leg

Femoral - Thigh area

Hallux - Big toe

Metatarsal - Top of the foot

Patellar - Front of the knee

Pedal - Foot

Plantar - Bottom of the foot

Popliteal - Back of the knee

Sural - Back of the lower leg

Tarsal - Ankle area