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
Oral and digestive cavities
Space from the inside of the mouth to the digestive organs and down to the anus
Nasal cavity
Located within and posterior to the nose
Orbital cavities
Space in the skull which houses the eyes and presents them in an anterior position
Middle ear cavities
Space carved into the skull which lie just medial to the eardrums
Axillary
Underarms
Femoral
Thigh region
Gluteal
Bum area
Cervical
Neck region
Antecubital
Anterior aspect of the elbow
Inguinal
Area where the trunk meets the thigh
Buccal
Pertaining to the cheek
Anterior
Nearer or to the front of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline
Inferior
Away from the head
Posterior
Back of the body
Medial
Towards the midline
Superior
Towards the head
Pleural
Holds lungs
Adduction
To add; towards the body
Abduction
To take away; away from the body
Deep
Further into the body
Superficial
Closer to the exterior or surface of the body; farther away from the inside of the body
