The Body Planes and Cavities

Question 1

Body planes

Answer 1

imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptives purposes.

Question 2

vertical plane

Answer 2

up-and-down plane that is at a right angle to the horizon

Question 3

sagittal plane

Answer 3

vertical plane that divides the body into UNEQUAL left and right portions

Question 4

midsagittal plane

Answer 4

also known as MIDLINE, is the sagittal plane that divides body into equal left an right halves

Question 5

frontal plane

Answer 5

vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions. Also known as CORONAL plane

Question 6

Horizontal plane

Answer 6

is a flat, crosswise, plane, such as the horizon

Question 7

transverse plane

Answer 7

a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions. can be at the waist or at any other level across the body

Question 8

Body Direction Terms

Answer 8

VENTRAL (anterior) refers to the front, or belly side of the organ or body

DORSAL (posterior) refers to the back of the organ or body

Question 9

Superior

Answer 9

means uppermost, above, or toward the head

Question 10

Inferior

Answer 10

means lowermost, below, or toward the feet

Question 11

cephalic

Answer 11

means toward the head. opposite of caudal

Question 12

caudal

Answer 12

means toward the lower part of the body

Question 13

proximal

Answer 13

means situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure

Question 14

distal

Answer 14

means situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure

Question 15

medial

Answer 15

means the direction toward, or nearer, the midline

Question 16

lateral

Answer 16

means the direction toward, or nearer, the side of the body, away from the midline

Question 17

Major body cavities

Answer 17

dorsal (back)

ventral (front)

Question 18

Dorsal cavity

Answer 18

• back of the body and head
  CRANIAL cavity located within the skull, surrounds and protects the brain.

SPINAL cavity located within the spinal column, surround and protects the spinal cord.

Question 19

Ventral cavity

Answer 19

• front of the body, contains the body organs that sustain homeostasis.
• includes thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic

Question 20

abdominal cavity

Answer 20

contains the major organs of digestion

Question 21

thoracic cavity

Answer 21

also known as chest cavity or thorax, surrounds and protects the heart and lungs

Question 22

pelvic cavity

Answer 22

space formed by the hip bones and contains the organs of reproductive and excretory systems