Body Planes & Sections (Definitions) Flashcards
Section
Cut
Plane
Imaginary line
Sagittal section
Cut along the lengthwise plane of the body → left and right parts
Median (midsagittal) section
Lengthwise cut which results in equal left and right parts
Parasagittal section
Lengthwise cut which results in unequal left and right parts
Frontal section; coronal section
Cut along a lengthwise plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
Transverse section; cross section
Cut along a horizontal plane, dividing the body into superior and inferior parts
Dorsal body cavity
Space along the posterior of the body from the cranial cavity to the spinal cavity
Cranial cavity
Space inside the body skull
Spinal cavity
Space which extends from the cranial cavity nearly to the end of the vertebral column
Ventral body cavity
Spaces along the anterior of the body
Thoracic cavity
Space within the chest, protected by the ribcage
Diaphragm
Sheet of internal skeletal muscle which extends across the bottom of the thoracic cavity
Mediastinum
Central region which separates the lungs into right and left cavities in the thoracic cavity
Abdominopelvic cavity
Cavity inferior to the diaphragm
Abdominal cavity
Area inferior to the thoracic cavity in the body containing organs such as the stomach, small intestine, colon, kidneys, and bladder
Pelvic cavity
Space inferior to the abdominal cavity bounded by the pelvic bones
Quadrants
Four, more or less, equal regions which divides the abdominopelvic cavity
Umbilical region
Centermost area, deep to and surrounding the umbilicus (navel)
Epigastric region
Area located superior to the umbilical region
Hypogastric (pubic) region
Area inferior to the umbilical region
Right and left iliac (inguinal regions)
Area lateral to the hypogastric region (iliac - superior part of the hip bone); area joining the thighs to the pelvis
Right and left lumbar regions
Areas lateral to the umbilical region
Right and left hypochondriac regions
Areas that flank the epigastric region and contain the lower ribs
