The Human Body - Regions, Surface Anatomy & Cavities

Question 1

Axial regions

Answer 1

• Head
• Neck
• Trunk (thoracic region, abdomen, pelvis, back)

Question 2

Appendicular regions

Answer 2

• Upper limb (shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist,
  hand)
• Lower limb (hip region, gluteal region, thigh, leg,
  ankle, foot)

Question 3

Types of surface anatomy landmarks

Answer 3

• Bony landmarks
• Soft tissue landmarks
• External organs

Question 4

Major anterior surface anatomy structures found on the head, neck and trunk (24 structures)

Answer 4

Anterior: larynx, sternocleidomastoid muscle, supraclavicular fossa, clavicle, pectoralis major muscle, jugular notch of sternum, sternum, sternal angle, xiphoid process, breast, areola, nipple, costal margin, rectus abdominis muscle, linea alba, linea semilunaris, umbilicus, mons pubis, anterior superior iliac spine, inguinal ligament, scrotum, penis, glans penis, vulva

Question 5

Major posterior surface anatomy structures found on the head, neck and trunk (13 structures)

Answer 5

Posterior: external occipital protuberance, vertebra C7,
trapezius muscle, spine of scapula, medial border of scapula, inferior angle of scapula, latissimus dorsi muscle, lumbar triangle (of Petit), iliac crest, posterior superior iliac spine, sacral triangle, sacroiliac joint, anal region

Question 6

Major anterior surface anatomy structures found on the upper limb (7 structures)

Answer 6

Anterior: acromion, deltoid muscle, biceps brachii muscle, cubital fossa, radial foveola (anatomical snuffbox), thenar eminence, hypothenar eminence

Question 7

Major posterior surface anatomy structures found on the upper limb (2 structures)

Answer 7

Posterior: triceps brachii muscle, olecranon

Question 8

Major anterior surface anatomy structures found on the lower limb (7 structures)

Answer 8

Anterior: femoral triangle, quadriceps femoris muscle, patella, tibial tuberosity, tibialis anterior muscle, lateral malleolus, medial malleolus

Question 9

Major posterior surface anatomy structures found on the lower limb (8 structures)

Answer 9

Posterior: gluteal region, intergluteal cleft, gluteal sulcus, iliotibial tract, hamstring muscles, popliteal fossa, triceps surae muscle, calcaneal (achilles) tendon

Question 10

Main cavities of the body

Answer 10

Dorsal cavity: cranial cavity, vertebral canal

Ventral cavity: thoracic cavity, abdominopelvic cavity

Question 11

Main contents of body cavities

Answer 11

Cranial cavity: brain

Vertebral canal: spinal cord

Thoracic cavity:
- Mediastinum contents: heart, trachea, esophagus
- Mediastinum divisions: superior, inferior (subdivisions:
anterior, middle posterior)
- Pleural cavity: lungs

Abdominopelvic cavity:
- Abdominal cavity: gastrointestinal system, kidneys
and suprarenal glands
- Pelvic cavity: reproductive organs, urinary bladder,
sigmoid colon and rectum

Question 12

Regional anatomy

Answer 12

Areas of the human body defined by the landmarks provided by evident structures that are easily palpable or visible.

The entire human body is divided into regions, an approach called regional anatomy. The human body has two primary regions, which are the axial region and the appendicular region.

Axial region: head, neck and trunk
Appendicular region: upper limb and lower limb

Each of the main areas (head, neck, thorax, abdomen, upper, and lower extremities) are divided into several smaller sub-regions that aid compartmentalization.

Question 13

Surface anatomy

Answer 13

Surface anatomy teaches us about the main anatomical features visible on the surface of the human body. We use this knowledge to identify inner anatomical structures according to their visible features.