Anatomical Terminology and Body Regions

Body Sections

  • Cross Section: A cut across a cylindrical structure.

  • Oblique Section: An angular cut through a cylindrical structure.

  • Longitudinal Section: A lengthwise cut through a cylindrical structure.

Body Parts and Regions

Axial Portion

  • The axial portion of the body includes the trunk i.e. thorax, pelvis and abdomen. Parts of the axial portion of the body can be described using terms similar to the names of the cavities within them.

    • Thorax: Chest.

    • Pelvis: Area associated with the hips.

    • Abdomen: Area below the chest and above the pelvis.

Appendicular Portion

  • The appendicular portion includes the upper and lower limbs.

    • Upper Limbs:

      • Arms: From shoulder to elbow.

      • Forearms: From elbow to hand.

    • Lower Limbs:

      • Thigh: From hip to knee.

      • Leg: From knee to foot.

Abdominal Regions (Nine Regions)

  • The abdominal area can be subdivided into nine regions:

    1. Epigastric Region: The upper middle portion.

    2. Right Hypochondriac Region: On the right side of the epigastric region.

    3. Left Hypochondriac Region: On the left side of the epigastric region.

    4. Umbilical Region: The central portion.

    5. Right Lateral (Lumbar) Region: On the right side of the umbilical region.

    6. Left Lateral (Lumbar) Region: On the left side of the umbilical region.

    7. Pubic (Hypogastric) Region: The lower middle portion.

    8. Right Inguinal (Iliac) Region: On the right side of the pubic region.

    9. Left Inguinal (Iliac) Region: On the left side of the pubic region.

Abdominal Quadrants (Four Quadrants)

  • The abdominal area can also be subdivided into four quadrants:

    1. Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

    2. Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

    3. Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

    4. Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Adjectives for Body Regions

  • Commonly used adjectives for various body parts and regions:

    • Cephalic: Head

    • Frontal: Forehead

    • Orbital: Eye cavity

    • Nasal: Nose

    • Oral: Mouth

    • Buccal: Cheek

    • Mental: Chin

    • Cervical: Neck

    • Acromial: Point of shoulder

    • Axillary: Armpit

    • Brachial: Arm

    • Antecubital: Front of elbow

    • Abdominal: Abdomen

    • Umbilical: Navel

    • Antebrachial: Forearm

    • Inguinal: Groin

    • Pubic: Region inferior to the abdomen and between the hips

    • Otic: Ear

    • Occipital: Back of head

    • Vertebral: Spinal column

    • Dorsal: Back

    • Lumbar: Lower back

    • Sacral: Between hips

    • Gluteal: Buttock

    • Sternal: Middle of the thorax (anterior chest)

    • Pectoral: Chest

    • Mammary: Breast