Directional Terms, Planes, Sections, Cavities and Quadrants

Question 1

Superior (cephalic or cranial)

Answer 1

Towards the head, or the upper part of a structure The heart is superior to the liver

Question 2

Inferior (caudal)

Answer 2

Away from the head, or the lower part of a structure The stomach is inferior to the lungs

Question 3

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 3

Nearer to or at the front of the body The sternum (breastbone) is anterior to the heart

Question 4

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 4

Nearer to or at the back of the body The oesophagus (food tube) is posterior to the trachea (windpipe)

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Nearer to the midline (an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal right and left sides) The ulna is medial to the radius

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Farther from the midline The lungs are lateral to the heart

Question 7

Intermediate

Answer 7

Between two structures The transverse colon is intermediate to the ascending and descending colons.

Question 8

Ipsilateral

Answer 8

On the same side of the body as another structure The gall bladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral

Question 9

Contralateral

Answer 9

On the opposite side of the body from another structure The ascending and descending colons are contralateral

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk; nearer to the origination of a structure. The humerus (arm bone) is proximal to the radius

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure The phalanges (finger bones) are distal to the carpals (wrist bones)

Question 12

Superficial (External)

Answer 12

Towards or on the surface of the body The ribs are superficial to the lungs

Question 13

Deep (Internal)

Answer 13

Away from the surface of the body The ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back

Question 14

Sagittal Plane

Answer 14

This plane divides the body into left and right parts. The midsagittal, or median, plane specifically refers to a sagittal plane that runs down the center of the body, dividing it into equal left and right halves. Planes parallel to the midsagittal plane are known as parasagittal planes.

Question 15

Coronal plane (Frontal plane)

Answer 15

This plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. It runs vertically from one side of the body to the other and is perpendicular to the sagittal plane.

Question 16

Transverse Plane (Horizontal Plane)

Answer 16

This plane divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts. It runs horizontally from one side of the body to the other, perpendicular to both the sagittal and coronal planes.

Question 17

Sagittal Section

Answer 17

Sagittal Section: A cut made along a sagittal plane. A midsagittal section would split the body into equal left and right halves, commonly seen in diagrams showing the brain or spinal column.

Question 18

Coronal Section

Answer 18

A cut made along a coronal plane. This is often used to view the front or back halves of structures such as the brain or the thoracic cavity, providing a good view of the front or back organs and structures.

Question 19

Transverse Section (Cross Section)

Answer 19

A cut made along a transverse plane, producing images that are viewed as if from the top down. This is common in CT scans of the torso, where cross-sectional images can show layers of the abdominal or chest organs.

Question 20

Dorsal Body Cavity

Answer 20

The dorsal body cavity is located along the posterior (back) side of the body and is divided into two main sub-cavities:

Cranial Cavity: This cavity is within the skull and encases the brain. It provides rigid support and protection due to the surrounding bone structure.
Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity: Running through the vertebral column, this cavity encloses the spinal cord and the beginnings of the spinal nerves. It is also heavily protected by the vertebrae.

Question 21

Ventral Body Cavity

Answer 21

The ventral body cavity is larger and is located along the anterior (front) aspect of the torso. It is divided into the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

Question 22

Thoracic Cavity

Answer 22

Thoracic Cavity: This cavity is above the diaphragm, enclosing the lungs and heart, among other structures. It is further divided into:

Pleural Cavities: Each houses a lung and is lined by a two-layered membrane called the pleura.
Mediastinum: This central compartment contains the heart (within the pericardial cavity), trachea, esophagus, and other structures.
Pericardial Cavity: Located within the mediastinum, this cavity encloses the heart and is lined by the pericardium, a two-layered sac.

Question 23

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Answer 23

Abdominopelvic Cavity: Below the diaphragm, this cavity is separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm and is subdivided into:

Abdominal Cavity: Contains many digestive organs, such as the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas, as well as other organs like the kidneys and spleen.
Pelvic Cavity: Contains the urinary bladder, some reproductive organs, and the rectum. The pelvic bones surround and protect this cavity.

Question 24

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Answer 24