Anatomical Terms & Cavities Flashcards
Superior (Cranial)
Towards the head end or upper part of a structure of the body; above
Inferior (Caudal)
Away from the head end or lower part of a structure of the body; below
Anterior (Ventral)
Towards/at the front of the body; in front of
Posterior (Dorsal)
Towards/at the back of the body; behind of
Medial
Towards/at the midline of the body; inner side of
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body; outer side of
Intermediate
Between a more medial and a more lateral structure
Proximal
Closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Distal
Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Superficial (External)
Toward/at body surface
Deep (Internal)
Away from the body surface; more internal
Axial Region
Makes up the axis of the body
(head, neck, trunk)
Appendicular Region
Consists of the appendages
Sagittal Plane
Vertical plane that divides the body into right/left
Frontal Plane
Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior/posterior
(coronal plane)
Transverse Plane
Horizontal plane that divides the body into superior/inferior
(horizontal, cross-section)
Oblique Sections
Cuts made diagonally between the horizontal and vertical planes
Dorsal Body Cavity
Protects the nervous system organs
(Cranial, vertebral)
Ventral Body Cavity
Thoracic cavity, abdominopelvic cavity
Thoracic Cavity
Divided into pleural cavities (lungs) and pericardial cavity (heart and other thoracic organs)
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Abdominal cavity (stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, etc.)
Pelvic cavity (urinary bladder, some reproductive organs, rectum)
Viscera
Organs
Parietal Serosa
Lines walls of ventral body cavity
Visceral Serosa
Lines organs of ventral body cavity
Parietal Pericardium
Lines walls of pericardial cavity
Visceral Pericardium
Covers the heart
Parietal Pleurae
Lines walls of thoracic cavity
Visceral Pleurae
Covers the lungs
