Lesson 4: Anatomical References and Locations of the Human Body Flashcards
Standard reference position used for describing locations and directions on the human body
Anatomical
What are the requirements for the anatomical position
A person stands erect, legs legs together and arms by the sides of the body, with the head, eyes, toes, and palms of the hands facing forward
Related to the central part of the body
Axial
Look at lesson 4.1
For medical terms
Look at Lesson 4.2
For anatomical directions
Anatomical plane that cuts the body horizontally, into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions
Axial (transverse) plane
Anatomical plane that cuts the body vertically, into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions
Coronal (frontal) plane
Anatomical plane that cuts the body vertically down the midline into equal left and right portions
Sagittal plane
Cavity that lies posteriorly (in the back)
Dorsal
Cavity that lies anteriorly (in the front)
Ventral
Superior portion of the dorsal cavity
Cranial cavity (bound by the skull and contains the brain and meninges)
Inferior portion of the dorsal cavity
Vertebral canal aka spinal cavity (bound by the vertebral column, intervertebral discs, and ligaments… contains spinal cord and spinal nerve roots)
Large cavity bound laterally by the ribs and inferiorly by the diaphragm
Thoracic cavity (contains chest, heart, lungs, and esophagus)
What are the three areas of the thoracic cavity?
Pleural cavities, mediastinum, and the pericardial cavity
Large cavity found inferior to the diaphragm, bound laterally by the body wall and inferiorly by the pelvic cavity
Abdominal cavity (contains the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, kidneys, and adrenal glands)