body planes/directions Flashcards
Anatomical Position
¬Body position used as a reference when describing body parts
¬Body is erect, eyes forward, hands at sides, palms facing out, and lower limbs parallel with toes pointing forward
Midline
¬Anatomical centre of the body
¬Divides the body into equal anterior/posterior sections and right and left sides
Anterior (ventral)
¬Toward the front of the body
¬The belly surface of the body
Posterior (dorsal)
Toward the back of the body
The back surface of the body
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Mesial
Toward the midline of the inside of the mouth
lateral
¬Toward the side of the body
¬Away from the midline of the body
Superior (cranial or cephalad)
¬Above another part of the body
¬In a higher position on the body– relative to another part of the body
Inferior (caudal)
¬Below another part of the body
¬In a lower position on the body– relative to another part of the body
Distal
¬Farther from the attachment point, midline, or reference point of the body – Relative to another body part
Proximal
¬Closer to the attachment point, midline, or reference point of the body – Relative to another body part
superficial
¬ Close to the surface of the body
deep
towards the inside of the body
abduction
¬ To move a body part away from the midline
adduction
¬ To move a body part toward the midline
flexion
¬ Movement at a joint of the body that decreases an angle of the joint
extension
¬ Movement at a joint of the body that increases an angle of the joint
body planes
Directions in which the body can be cut
transverse horizontal plane
Any plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions
Coronal (frontal) plane
Any plane that is made laterally (side to side) at the midline (middle) of the body and divides the body into anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) portions
Midsagittal Plane
Any plane that is made vertically (front to back) at the midline (middle) of the body and divides the body into EQUAL left and right halves
Sagittal Plane
Any plane that is made vertically (front to back) at the midline (middle) of the body and divides the body into left and right halves – DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EQUAL
Body Cavities
Further division of the body
Relates to the location of internal organs
Organs are located in the dorsal and ventral cavities
Ventral (Anterior) Cavity
what organs does it include and which cavities?
Contains all the organs from the neck to the pelvis
Includes: Thoracic, Abdominal and Pelvic Cavities
Thoracic Cavity
where is it and which organs are in it?
Uppermost part of the ventral cavity
Area of the chest above the diaphragm
Contains: Heart, and the lungs; esophagus, trachea, thymus, blood and lymph vessels
Separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm
Abdominal Cavity
where is it and which organs are in it
Middle part of the ventral cavity – the belly
Area of the stomach, below diaphragm
Contains: Kidneys, stomach, intestines, and related digestive structures
Lack of anatomical separation with pelvic cavity – therefore, referred to as the abdominopelvic cavity
Pelvic Cavity
where is it and which organs are in it
Lowest part of the ventral cavity
Area of the low belly
Contains: Organs of reproduction and elimination
Lack of anatomical separation with abdominal cavity – therefore, referred to as the abdominopelvic cavity
Dorsal (posterior) cavity
what organs does it include and which cavities?
Contains the nervous system – brain, spinal cord, nerves and related structures
Includes: Cranial Cavity and Spinal Cavity
Cranial Cavity
where is it and what organs are in it
Located in the skull
Contains the brain
Spinal Cavity
where is it and what organs are in it
Also called the Spinal Canal
Located within the bony spinal column
Contains: Spinal cord and spinal fluid
another name for anterior regarding cavities
ventral
another name for posterior regarding cavities
dorsal
what cavities are organs in
Organs are located in the dorsal and ventral cavities
how many quadrants are in the body
9
