Anatomy & Physiology: Body Orientation, Planes, Cavities, and Regions

Intermediate means between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Distal means farther from the origin of a body part or point of attachment.

Proximal means closer to the origin of a body part or point of attachment.

Deep means away from the body surface; more internal.

Superficial means toward or at the body surface.

Median (midsagittal) plane divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal plane divides the body into unequal right and left parts, parallel to the midsagittal plane.

Transverse plane divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Cranial cavity houses the brain within the skull.

Spinal (vertebral) cavity encloses the spinal cord within the vertebral column.

Thoracic cavity contains the lungs and heart, located above the diaphragm.

Pleural cavity is the space surrounding each lung within the thoracic cavity.

Superior mediastinum is the upper part of the thoracic cavity between the lungs, containing the heart and major vessels.

Pericardial cavity surrounds the heart within the thoracic cavity.

Abdominal cavity contains digestive organs and is located below the diaphragm.

Pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum, located below the abdominal cavity.

Epigastric region is the upper central region of the abdomen above the stomach.

Umbilical region is the central region of the abdomen around the navel.

Hypogastric region is the lower central region of the abdomen below the umbilical region.

Right hypochondriac region is the upper right region of the abdomen beneath the ribs.

Left hypochondriac region is the upper left region of the abdomen beneath the ribs.

Right lateral (lumbar) region is the middle right region of the abdomen near the waist.

Left lateral (lumbar) region is the middle left region of the abdomen near the waist.

Right iliac (inguinal) region is the lower right region of the abdomen near the groin.

Left iliac (inguinal) region is the lower left region of the abdomen near the groin.

Right upper quadrant is the upper right section of the abdomen used in clinical division.

Left upper quadrant is the upper left section of the abdomen used in clinical division.

Right lower quadrant is the lower right section of the abdomen used in clinical division.

Left lower quadrant is the lower left section of the abdomen used in clinical division.

Parietal pericardium is the outer layer of the pericardium lining the fibrous sac around the heart.

Visceral pericardium is the inner layer of the pericardium covering the heart surface.