Introduction to anatomy & physiology: Anatomical terminology (directional, planes & body cavity terms)

Question 1

Directional terms

Answer 1

These terms are used to describe the relative locations of different body structures.

Question 2

Anterior (or ventral)

Answer 2

Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body.

Question 3

Peripheral

Answer 3

Describes a position away from the centre.

Question 4

Deep

Answer 4

Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

Question 5

Superficial

Answer 5

Describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

Question 6

Distal

Answer 6

Describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Question 8

Medial

Answer 8

Describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

Question 9

Lateral

Answer 9

Describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.

Question 10

Inferior (or caudal)

Answer 10

Describes a position below or lower than another part of the body near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column).

Question 11

Posterior (or dorsal)

Answer 11

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.

Question 12

Sagittal plane

Answer 12

Divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides.

Question 13

Midsagittal (or median) plane

Answer 13

A plane that runs directly down the middle of the body.

Question 14

Parasagittal (or longitudinal section)

Answer 14

Divides the body into unequal right and left sides.

Question 15

Frontal (or coronal) plane

Answer 15

Divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) and posterior (rear) portion.

Question 16

Transverse plane

Answer 16

Divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions.

Question 17

Cavity

Answer 17

A hollow space within the body that usually houses vital organs with the two major cavities being the central and dorsal cavity which have subdivisions dividing them into smaller spaces for the internal organs.

Question 18

List the subdivisions of the Doral (posterior) cavity

Answer 18

Cranial and spinal cavity.

Question 19

List the subdivisions of the ventral (anterior) cavity

Answer 19

Thoracic, and abdominopelvic cavity.

Question 20

Dorsal (posterior) cavity

Answer 20

Includes both the cranial and spinal cavity.

Question 21

Cranial cavity

Answer 21

A continuous, uninterrupted structure that houses the brain, protected by the cerebrospinal fluid, a colourless fluid produced by the brain which cushions the brain within the dorsal (posterior) cavity.

Question 22

Spinal cavity

Answer 22

A continuous, uninterrupted structure that encloses the spinal column and cord, protected by the cerebrospinal fluid, a colourless fluid produced by the spinal cord which cushions the spinal cord within the dorsal (posterior) cavity.

Question 23

Ventral (anterior) cavity

Answer 23

Includes the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavity.

Question 24

Thoracic cavity

Answer 24

The more superior subdivision of the anterior cavity, containing the lungs and heart. Located above the diaphragm, enclosed by the rib cage in the mediastinum. The diaphragm forms the floor separating it from the more inferior abdominopelvic cavity.

Question 25

Abdominipelvic cavity

Answer 25

Largest cavity in the body, housing the abdominal cavity, (stomach, intestines, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen), and the pelvic cavity (urinary bladder, rectum, and internal parts of the reproductive system). Located below the diaphragm.

Question 26

List the 9 abdominal regions and quadrants

Answer 26

Right hypochondriac region, epigastric region, left hypochondriac region, right lumbar region, umbilical region, left lumbar region, right iliac (inguinal) region, hypogastric region, and the left iliac (inguinal) region.

Question 27

Right hypochondriac region

Answer 27

Contains the right side of the liver, the right kidney, and a portion of the diaphragm.

Question 28

Epigastric region

Answer 28

Contains the pancreas and portions of the stomach, liver, inferior vena cava, abdominal aorta, and duodenum.

Question 29

Left hypochondriac region

Answer 29

Contains a portion of the diaphragm, the spleen, the stomach, the left kidney, and part of the pancreas.

Question 30

Right lumbar region

Answer 30

Contains portions of the large intestines and the right kidney.

Question 31

Right iliac (inguinal) region

Answer 31

Contains portions of the small and large intestines.

Question 32

Umbilical region

Answer 32

Contains sections of the small and large intestines and a portion of the left kidney.

Question 33

Left hypochondriac region

Answer 33

Contains a portion of the diaphragm, the spleen, the stomach, the left kidney, and part of the pancreas.

Question 34

Left lumbar region

Answer 34

Contains portions of the small and large intestines and a portion of the left kidney.

Question 35

Left iliac (inguinal) region

Answer 35

Contains portions of the small and large intestines.

Question 36

Fluid filled serous space

Answer 36

Serous membrane form fluid-filled sacs that are meant to cushion and reduce friction on internal organs when they move. Both parietal and visceral serosa secrete the thin, slippery serous fluid located within the serous cavities.

Question 37

Serous membrane

Answer 37

A thin membrane that covers the walls and organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities. It lines the pericardial cavity and reflects back to cover the heart.

Question 38

Pleura membrane

Answer 38

The pleural cavity surrounds the lungs. The pleura serous membrane encloses the pleural cavity.

Question 39

Pericardium membrane

Answer 39

The pericardium cavity surrounds the heart. The serous pericardium membrane encloses the pericardium cavity.

Question 40

Peritoneum membrane

Answer 40

The peritoneum cavity surrounds several organs in the abdominopelvic cavity. The serous peritoneum membrane encloses the peritoneal cavity.