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Anatomy & Physiology: Anatomical Terminology, Body Planes, and Cavities

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Terms in this set (19)

  • What is the anatomical position?

    The standard reference position where a person stands upright with feet slightly apart and arms at the sides, palms facing forward. It is used as a reference point for directional terms.

  • What do the terms 'right' and 'left' refer to in anatomy?

    They refer to the right and left sides of the body from the person's own perspective, not the observer's.

  • Define the axial and appendicular regions of the body.

    Axial: head, neck, and trunk (main axis of the body).
    Appendicular: limbs or appendages attached to the axial region.

  • What does the directional term 'superior (cranial)' mean?

    Superior means toward the upper part of the body or above. Example: The chin is superior to the abdomen.

  • What does the directional term 'inferior (caudal)' mean?

    Inferior means away from the upper part, toward the lower part or below. Example: The knees are inferior to the navel.

  • Define 'anterior (ventral)' and 'posterior (dorsal)'.

    Anterior means toward or at the front of the body.
    Posterior means toward or at the back of the body.

  • What do 'medial' and 'lateral' mean in anatomical terms?

    Medial: toward the midline of the body.
    Lateral: away from the midline, on the outer side.

  • Explain 'proximal' and 'distal' in relation to limbs.

    Proximal: closer to the point where a limb attaches to the trunk.
    Distal: farther from the point of attachment.

  • What do 'superficial' and 'deep' mean in anatomy?

    Superficial (external): toward or at the body surface.
    Deep (internal): away from the body surface.

  • What is a sagittal plane?

    A vertical plane dividing the body into left and right sections. If it divides exactly at the midline, it is called a midsagittal or median plane.

  • What is a frontal (coronal) plane?

    A vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

  • What is a transverse (cross) plane?

    A horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

  • What are the two major body cavities?

    Dorsal cavity: protects nervous system organs.
    Ventral cavity: houses visceral organs and allows more mobility.

  • What are the subdivisions of the dorsal body cavity?

    Cranial cavity: holds the brain.
    Vertebral (spinal) cavity: holds the spinal cord.

  • What are the subdivisions of the ventral body cavity?

    Thoracic cavity: holds heart and lungs.
    Abdominopelvic cavity: holds abdomen and pelvis organs.

  • What are the pleural and pericardial cavities?

    Pleural cavities: each holds a lung.
    Pericardial cavity: holds the heart, esophagus, and trachea within the mediastinum.

  • What organs are found in the abdominal cavity?

    Stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and other digestive organs.

  • What organs are found in the pelvic cavity?

    Bladder, some reproductive organs, and rectum, protected by the pelvis.

  • Name some smaller body cavities with external openings.

    Oral cavity, digestive cavity, nasal cavity, orbital cavities, middle ear cavities, and synovial (joint) cavities.