Anatomical Position and Directional Terms

Anatomical Position

• Upright stance with the body facing forward.
• Palms facing forward in the supine position.
• Feet are flat on the floor.

Directional Terms

• Right and Left: Refers to the body's perspective.
• Superior (above, also called cephalic or cranial) - Inferior (below, also called caudal).
• Anterior (front, referred to as ventral in bipeds) - Posterior (back, referred to as dorsal in bipeds).
• Medial (closer to the midline) - Lateral (further from the midline).
• Ipsilateral (same side) - Contralateral (opposite side).
• Intermediate (between medial and lateral).
• Proximal (closer to a point of attachment) - Distal (further from a point of attachment).
• Superficial (external or near the surface) - Deep (internal or away from the surface).

Planes of the Body

• Transverse: Separates the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts; also called the cross-section or horizontal plane.
• Sagittal: Divides the body into left and right halves; includes midsagittal (equal halves) and parasagittal (unequal halves).
• Coronal: Splits the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts; also known as the frontal plane.

Abdominopelvic Regions

• Nine-region system includes:
  • Hypochondriac (upper sides)
  • Epigastric (upper middle)
  • Lumbar or Lateral (middle sides)
  • Umbilical (middle center)
  • Iliac or Inguinal (lower sides)
  • Hypogastric (lower middle)
• Quadrant system divides the abdomen into four sections intersecting at the umbilicus.

Body Cavities

• Dorsal cavity:
  • Cranial cavity (houses the brain).
  • Vertebral or spinal cavity (contains the spinal cord).
• Ventral cavity: Divided by the diaphragm into regions:
  • Thoracic cavity (contains heart and lungs).
  • Pericardial cavity (houses the heart).
  • Pleural cavities (surround each lung).
  • Mediastinum (central compartment of the thorax).
• Abdominopelvic cavity: Subdivided by an imaginary line from pubis to sacrum.
  • Abdominal cavity (contains digestive organs).
  • Pelvic cavity (houses bladder and reproductive organs).

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of anatomical position and the various directional terms used in anatomy. It also explores the planes of the body, providing a comprehensive overview of how body structures are oriented and related to one another. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of anatomical terminology.