Anatomical Terminology 1.6

section

`in anatomy, a single flat surface of a three-dimensional structure that has been cut through

ventral (anterior) cavity

contains both thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

dorsal (posterior) cavity

contains cranial + vertebral cavity

superior (or cranial)

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris.

cranial

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also referred to as superior

inferior (or caudal)

describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column). The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen

caudal

describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also referred to as inferior

superficial

describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.

Deep

describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skull.

distal

describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur.

proximal

describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium

superficial

describes a position nearer to the surface of the body

dorsal

describes the back or direction toward the back of the body; also referred to as posterior

ventral

describes the front or direction toward the front of the body; also referred to as anterior

medial

describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe

lateral

describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits

thoracic cavity

enclosed by the rib cage, contains lung and heart

spinal cavity

encloses the spinal cord

prone

face down

supine

face up

serous membranes

form fluid-filled sacs, or cavities, that are meant to cushion and reduce friction on internal organs when they move, such as when the lungs inflate or the heart beats

cranial cavity

houses the brain

plane

is an imaginary two-dimensional surface that passes through the body. There are three planes commonly referred to in anatomy and medicine

frontal plane

is the plane that divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion. The frontal plane is often referred to as a coronal plane.

sagittal plane

is the plane that divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body, it is called the midsagittal or median plane. If it divides the body into unequal right and left sides, it is called a parasagittal plane or less commonly a longitudinal section.

transverse plane

is the plane that divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions. Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections.

ventral cavity

larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-lined pleural cavities for the lungs, pericardial cavity for the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as anterior body cavity

anterior cavity

larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-lined pleural cavities for the lungs, pericardial cavity for the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as ventral cavity

abdominopelvic cavity

largest cavity in the body, the division that houses the digestive organs, and the pelvic cavity, the division that houses the organs of reproduction.

serosa

membrane that covers organs and reduces friction; also referred to as serous membrane

posterior (or dorsal)

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella.

Anterior (or ventral)

Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the foot

pleura

serous membrane that surrounds the lungs in the pleural cavity

Anatomical Position

the body standing upright, with the feet at shoulder width and parallel, toes forward. The upper limbs are held out to each side, and the palms of the hands face forward.

peritoneum

the serous membrane that surrounds several organs in the abdominopelvic cavity

pericardium

the serous membrane that surrounds the heart in the pericardial cavity