Unit 1: Regional Terms

axial division (in purple)

axial division (in purple)

makes up the main axis of our body, includes the head, neck, and trunk

appendicular division (in blue)

consists of the appendages, or limbs, attached to the body’s axis

Abdominal

anterior; Relating to the region of the body between the chest and pelvis, containing the stomach and other digestive organs.

Antecubital

anterior; Referring to the area in front of the elbow joint.

Axillary

lateral; Referring to the armpit area.

Brachial

proximal; it’s closer to the point of attachment (shoulder) than the more distal parts of the arm. Referring to the upper arm region, specifically the area between the shoulder and the elbow.

Buccal

anterior or lateral, as it’s on the front and to the side of the mouth. Referring to the cheek area, specifically the lining of the cheeks.

Calcaneal

posterior, as it’s located on the back side of the foot, closer to the rear. Relating to the heel bone (calcaneus) of the foot.

Carpal

distal, as it’s closer to the body’s point of attachment (forearm) than the hand. Referring to the wrist, particularly the group of small bones in the wrist known as carpal bones.

Cephalic

anterior; Relating to the head or head end of the body.

Cervical

superior; as it’s located above the thoracic region of the spine. Referring to the neck region of the body; specifically the part of the spine that is in the neck area.

Coxal

lateral; Relating to the hip or hip region.

Digital

distal, as the fingers and toes are located at the farthest ends of the limbs from the point of attachment. Referring to the fingers or toes.

Femoral

proximal, as it’s closer to the body’s point of attachment (hip) than the lower leg. Relating to the thigh or the femur bone, which is the bone of the upper leg.

Gluteal

posterior; Referring to the buttocks or the muscles of the buttocks.

Inguinal

inferior or lateral; Relating to the groin area, specifically the crease where the thigh meets the abdomen.

Lumbar

superior; Referring to the lower back, particularly the region of the spine between the thoracic (chest) and sacral (pelvic) regions.

Nasal

anterior; Relating to the nose or the nasal cavity. (the interior of the nose)

Occipital

posterior; Referring to the back of the head or the occipital bone, which forms the back and base of the skull.

Olecranal

posterior; Relating to the back of the elbow or the bony point of the elbow.

Oral

anterior; Referring to the mouth or the mouth-related structures.

Orbital

anterior; Relating to the eye socket or orbit, which holds the eye.

Patellar

anterior; Referring to the kneecap (patella), a small, flat bone in front of the knee joint.

Pelvic

inferior; Relating to the pelvis, the bony structure formed by the hip bones and the sacrum.

Popliteal

posterior; Referring to the back of the knee or the area behind the knee joint.

Sacral

inferior; Relating to the sacrum, which is the triangular bone at the base of the spine.

Scapular

posterior; Referring to the shoulder blade or the area surrounding it.

Sternal

anterior; Relating to the sternum, the flat bone in the center of the chest.

Tarsal

posterior; Referring to the bones of the ankle or the posterior part of the foot.

Thoracic

anterior; Relating to the thorax or chest region, which contains the heart and lungs.

Umbilical

anterior; Referring to the navel or the area around the belly button.

Vertebral

posterior; Relating to the vertebrae, the individual bones that make up the spinal column.