Directional terms
mammary region
breast
Body cavities
During embryonic development, the body is first divided into two internal cavities: the posterior (dorsal) body cavity and the anterior (ventral) body cavity. Each of these major cavities is then subdivided into smaller cavities. The cavities as well as the organs in the cavities (called the viscera) are lined by membranes.
inferior
a body part is below another part, or toward the feet. The navel is inferior to the chin.
proximal
a body part is closer to a specific point of origin or attachment, or closer to the trunk of the entire body. For example, if the point of attachment is the shoulder, it is correct to say the elbow is proximal to the hand.
lateral
a body part is farther away from the midline. The eyes are lateral to the nose.
distal
a body part is farther from a specific point of origin or attachment, or farther from the trunk of the entire body. For example, if the point of attachment is the hip, it is correct to say the foot is distal to the knee.
superior
a body part is located above another part, or toward the head. The face is superior to the neck.
superficial (external)
a body part is located closer to the surface than another. The skin is superficial to the muscles.
deep
a body part is located farther from the surface than another. The intestines are deep to the spine.
posterior (dorsal)
a body part is located toward the back. The heart is posterior to the sternum.
anterior (ventral)
a body part is located toward the front. The windpipe (trachea)) is anterior to the esophagus.
medial
a body part is nearer than another part to an imaginary midline of the body. The bridge of the nose is medial to the eyes.
contralateral
a body part is on the opposite side of the body from another body part. The right hand is contralateral to the left hand.
ipsilateral
a body part is on the same side of the body as another body part. The right hand is ipsilateral to the right foot.
central
a body part is situated at the center of the body or an organ. The central nervous system is centrally located along the main axis of the body.
peripheral
a body part is situated away from the center of the body or an organ. The peripheral nervous system is located outside the central nervous system.
abdominal region
abdomen
tarsal region
ankle
brachial region
arm
axillary region
armpit
occipital region
back of head
popliteal region
back of knee
sacral region
beneath the lumbar region in the cocx region
gluteal region
buttocks
sural region
calf
buccal region
cheek
pectoral region
chest
mental region
chin
thoracic region
contains the sternum, chest, breast
auricular, otic region
ear
cubital, olecranal region
elbow
ophthalmic region
eye
orbital region
eye cavity
digital region of the hand
finger
pes, pedal region
foot
antebrachial region
forearm
frontal region
forehead
antecubital region
front of elbow
dorsum region
front part of the hand
inguinal region
groin
manus region
hand
cephalic region
head
calcaneal region
heel
coxal region
hip
axial portion
includes the head, neck, spinal column, and ribs. The thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. The pelvis is that part of the trunk associated with the hips.
patellar region
kneecap
crural region
leg
lumbar region
lower back
oral region
mouth
umbilical region
navel
cervical region
neck
nasal region
nose
appendicular portion
of the human body includes the limbs, the upper limbs and the lower limbs.
palmar region
palm
pelvic region
pelvis
perineal region
rectum, anus
pubic, genital region
reproductive
acromial deltoid region
shoulder
plantar region
sole of foot
vertebral region
spinal column
sternal region
sternum
cranium region
surrounding the brain
regions of the body
the human body can be divided into axial and appendicular portions.
femoral region
thigh
digital region of the foot
toe
dorsum of the foot region
upper part of the foot
directional terms
used to describe the location of one body part in relation to another.
carpal region
wrist
