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Anatomy & Physiology: Body Cavities, Directional Terms, and Body Regions

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Terms in this set (24)

  • What is the dorsal body cavity?

    The dorsal body cavity is located along the back of the body and contains the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the vertebral cavity (housing the spinal cord).

  • What does the ventral body cavity include?

    The ventral body cavity is located at the front of the body and includes the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

  • Define the thoracic cavity.

    The thoracic cavity is the upper part of the ventral cavity, containing the lungs and heart, protected by the rib cage.

  • What is the abdominopelvic cavity?

    The abdominopelvic cavity is the lower part of the ventral cavity, subdivided into the abdominal cavity (digestive organs) and pelvic cavity (reproductive and urinary organs).

  • What does 'anterior' mean in anatomical directional terms?

    Anterior means toward the front of the body.

  • What does 'posterior' mean in anatomical directional terms?

    Posterior means toward the back of the body.

  • Define 'superior' in anatomical terms.

    Superior means above or higher in position.

  • Define 'inferior' in anatomical terms.

    Inferior means below or lower in position.

  • What does 'medial' mean?

    Medial means toward the midline of the body.

  • What does 'lateral' mean?

    Lateral means away from the midline of the body.

  • Explain 'proximal' in anatomical terms.

    Proximal means closer to the point of attachment or origin.

  • Explain 'distal' in anatomical terms.

    Distal means farther from the point of attachment or origin.

  • What is the anatomical position?

    The anatomical position is standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides with palms facing forward.

  • Where is the brachial region located?

    The brachial region refers to the upper arm between the shoulder and elbow.

  • Where is the antebrachial region?

    The antebrachial region is the forearm, between the elbow and wrist.

  • What does the term 'cephalic' refer to?

    Cephalic refers to the head region.

  • Where is the abdominal region?

    The abdominal region is the area between the chest and pelvis.

  • What is the lumbar region?

    The lumbar region is the lower back area between the ribs and pelvis.

  • Define the term 'inguinal'.

    Inguinal refers to the groin area where the thigh meets the pelvis.

  • What does 'plantar' refer to?

    Plantar refers to the sole or bottom of the foot.

  • Where is the popliteal region?

    The popliteal region is the area behind the knee.

  • What does 'palmar' mean?

    Palmar refers to the palm of the hand.

  • Explain the term 'orbital'.

    Orbital refers to the eye socket region.

  • What is the difference between 'superficial' and 'deep'?

    Superficial means toward or on the surface; deep means away from the surface, more internal.