Anatomic Position

Common reference point

Anatomic position is upright stance, feet parallel and flat, upper limbs at side, palms face anteriorly, head is level, eyes forward

Section

Plane

    Coronal

    Transverse

    Mid-sagittal

    Sagittal

    Oblique

Directional terms

    Anterior/posterior

    Dorsal/ventral

    Proximal/distal

Two main regions of body

    Axial

    Appendicular

Two Main Body Cavities

    Posterior aspect

        Completely encased in bone

        Cranial cavity houses the brain

        Vertebral canal formed by bones of vertebral column and houses spinal cord

    Ventral cavity

        Superior thoracic cavity

        Inferior abdominopelvic cavity

        Partitioned by thoracic diaphragm

        Spaces and structures in thoracic cavity

            Mediastinum - contains heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and                    major blood vessels connected to heart

            Pericardium - Heart membrane

            Pleura - Lungs

Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions

    Right upper (RUQ)

    Left upper (LUG)

    Right lower (RLQ)

    Left lower (LLQ)