1st Year Nursing Anatomy and Physiology

Study Notes

Sagittal Plane:
- Splits the body into right and left sections.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane:
- Segregates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
Transverse Plane:
- Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Dorsal Body Cavities:
- Situated on the posterior side of the body, subdivided into:
- Cranial Cavity:
  - Encloses the brain, protected by cranial bones.
- Spinal (Vertebral) Cavity:
  - Extends along the back, contains and safeguards the spinal cord within the vertebral column.
Ventral Body Cavity:
- Located at the anterior aspect of the body, larger than the dorsal cavity, subdivided into:
- Thoracic Cavity:
  - Found above the diaphragm, housing the heart and lungs, further divided into:
  - Pleural Cavities:
    - Surround each lung.
  - Mediastinum:
    - Central region containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels, with the heart protected in the pericardial cavity.
- Abdominopelvic Cavity:
  - Positioned below the diaphragm, divided into:
  - Abdominal Cavity:
    - Contains organs involved in digestion, including the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and most of the large intestine.
  - Pelvic Cavity:
    - Encloses the urinary bladder, some reproductive organs, and the rectum, located beneath the abdominal cavity.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ):
- Comprises the liver, gallbladder, and parts of the stomach and intestines.
Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ):
- Includes the stomach, spleen, pancreas, along with segments of the liver and intestines.
Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ):
- Contains the appendix, part of the small intestine, right ovary (female), and right ureter.
Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ):
- Houses sections of the small intestine, left ovary (female), and left ureter.

Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into right and left halves.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Separates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
Transverse Plane: Splits the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Dorsal Body Cavities: Situated along the posterior side, comprising two main sub-cavities:
- Cranial Cavity: Encloses the brain, providing protection via cranial bones.
- Spinal (Vertebral) Cavity: Extends down the back, containing and protecting the spinal cord within the vertebral column.
Ventral Body Cavity: Located at the anterior side, significantly larger than the dorsal cavity, divided into:
- Thoracic Cavity: Positioned above the diaphragm, housing the heart and lungs, further divided into:
  - Pleural Cavities: Surround each lung, providing a protective space.
  - Mediastinum: Central area that accommodates the heart, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels; the heart is encased in the pericardial cavity.
- Abdominopelvic Cavity: Found below the diaphragm, subdivided into:
  - Abdominal Cavity: Contains vital digestive organs including the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and the majority of the large intestine.
  - Pelvic Cavity: Houses the urinary bladder and certain reproductive organs, situated beneath the abdominal cavity.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ): Comprises the liver, gallbladder, parts of the stomach, and small and large intestines.
Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): Houses the stomach, spleen, pancreas, and segments of the liver and intestines.
Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): Contains the appendix, parts of the small intestine, right ovary (in females), and right ureter.
Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): Encompasses parts of the small intestine, left ovary (in females), and left ureter.