Structural Organization of Body Flashcards
Directional Terms
refer to location of a structure or the relative position of a body part to another one
Anatomical Position
The body is facing forward, standing erect, feet parallel, holding arms at side with palms facing forward. Always assume you are in this position unless otherwise noted
Anterior
On the front of the body
Posterior
On the back of body
Ventral
On the front of body
Dorsal
On the back of body
Cranial
Refers to head
Caudal
Refers to the tail or tailbone
Superior
Refers to the head, top, or upper body/section
Inferior
Refers to the tail, bottom, or lower body/section
Medial
Refers to the middle
Leteral
Refers to the side
Proximal
Refers to nearest to the point of reference
Distal
Refers to farthest from the point of reference
Superficial
On or near the surface
Deep
On the inside
Planes
An imaginary line that divides the body or an organ into sections
Sagittal
Divides the body into right and left sides (mid-sagittal divides the body into equal halves)
Frontal ( can also be called coronal )
Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections
Transeverse
Divides the body into top and bottom section
Body Cavities
Spaces within the body that contain and protect organs
Abdominal
Contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, large and small intestines, and the appendix
Cranial
Contains the brain
Dorsal
Contains the brain and spinal cord
Pelvic
Contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum
Spinal
Contains the spinal cord
Thoracic
Contains the heart, lungs, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, and thymus gland
Abdominal Quadrants
Four subdivisions used to reference abdominal organs
RUQ, RLQ, LUQ, LLQ
Right Upper Quadrant, Right Lower Quadrant, Left Upper Quadrant, Left Lower Quadrant
Abdominal/Pelvic Regions
Subdivisions of the combined abdominal and pelvic cavities
Epigastric
The area just below the sternum
Umbilical
The area around the navel or umbilicus
Hypogastric
The area just below the stomach; the pubic area
Hypochondriac
The area just below the ribs
Iliac/Inguinal
The area to the right and left of the pubic area; also known as the inguinal area
Lumbar
The area on each side of the umbilicus; extends from anterior to posterior
