Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
Prone position
On your Stomach
Supine position
On your Back
Superior
Quadruped: Toward the Back
Biped: Toward the Head
Inferior
Quadruped: Towards the Abdomen
Biped: Towards the Feet
Anterior
Quadruped: Towards the Head
Biped: Towards the Abdomen
Posterior
Quadruped: Towards the Tail
Biped: Towards the Back
Cranial (Cephalad)
Towards the Head
Caudal (caudad)
Toward the Tail (or the area)
Ventral
Toward the abdomen (“belly side”)
Dorsal
Toward the vertebral column (“back side”)
Proximal
Refers to part (or part of part) nearest to the point of attachment (Ex. Your Elbow is proximal to your Wrist)
Distal
Refers to part (or part of part) furthest from point of attachment (Ex. Your Wrist is Distal to your Elbow)
Medial
A part (or part of a part) that is directed towards the midline of the organism
Lateral
A part (or part of a part) that is directed away from the midline of the body
Bilateral
Refers to having the same parts located on both sides of the organism and in the same position
Peripheral
Structures located toward the edges of the body surface relative to the center of the body or a body part
Central
Structures located at the core of the body or a body part
Superficial
Structures located toward the surface of the body or body part relative to another structure
Deep
Structures located away from the surface of the body or a body part relative to another body part relative to another structure
Cranial Cavity
Holds Brain (Dorsal body cavity)
Spinal Cavity
Holds Spinal Cord (Dorsal body cavity)
Thoracic Cavity
Consists of the Pleural Cavities, Mediastinum, and Pericardial cavity (Ventral body cavity) (Superior to the diaphragm)
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Made up of the Abdominal Cavity and Pelvic Cavity (Inferior of the Diaphragm) (Ventral body cavity)
Abdominal cavity
Contains: Stomach, Liver, Pancreas, Intestines, Spleen, Kidneys
Pelvic cavity
Contains: Urinary bladder, Sigmoid Colon, Rectum, Uterus, Ovaries
Sagittal Cut
Separating left and right
Transversal Cut
Separating superior and inferior (up and down)
Frontal (Coronal) Cut
Separating anterior and posterior (front and back)
Pleural Cavities (R & L)
Surround the right and left lungs
Mediastinum
Contains the trachea, esophagus, and major vessels
Pericardial Cavity
Surrounds the Heart
Other body cavities (5)
Orbital Cavity Nasal Cavity Oral Cavity Middle Ear Cavity Synovial Cavity (joints)
Serous membranes
Parietal (Outer, Lines Cavity)
Visceral (Inner, Touches Organ)
