Anatomical Position and Directional Terms

Anatomical Position

• Upright posture with feet flat on the floor.
• Facing forward, palms facing anteriorly.
• Supine orientation if lying on the back.

Directional Terms

• Right and Left: Used to describe positions relative to the body.
• Superior (cephalic/cranial): Refers to a position higher than another part.
• Inferior (caudal): Refers to a position lower than another part.
• Anterior (ventral for bipeds): The front of the body.
• Posterior (dorsal for bipeds): The back of the body.
• Medial: Closer to the midline of the body.
• Lateral: Farther from the midline of the body.
• Ipsilateral: Same side of the body.
• Contralateral: Opposite side of the body.
• Intermediate: Between two structures.
• Proximal: Closer to the point of attachment or trunk.
• Distal: Farther from the point of attachment or trunk.
• Superficial (external): Closer to the body's surface.
• Deep (internal): Further from the body's surface.

Planes of the Body

• Transverse: Divides the body into superior and inferior parts (cross-section).
• Sagittal: Divides the body into left and right parts (includes midsagittal and parasagittal).
• Coronal (frontal): Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Abdominopelvic Regions

• Nine-region system includes:
  • Hypochondriac: Upper lateral regions.
  • Epigastric: Central upper region.
  • Lumbar (Lateral): Middle lateral regions.
  • Umbilical: Central region around the navel.
  • Iliac (inguinal): Lower lateral regions.
  • Hypogastric: Central lower region.
• Quadrant system divides the abdomen into four sections based on the umbilicus.

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity:
  • Cranial Cavity: Houses the brain.
  • Vertebral (spinal) Cavity: Encases the spinal cord.
• Ventral Cavity: Subdivided by the diaphragm.
  • Thoracic Cavity: Contains heart and lungs.
    • Pericardial Cavity: Surrounds the heart.
    • Pleural Cavity: Surrounds each lung.
    • Mediastinum: Contains the heart, great vessels, and trachea.
  • Abdominopelvic Cavity: Divided by an imaginary line from pubis to sacrum.
    • Abdominal Cavity: Contains digestive organs.
    • Pelvic Cavity: Contains reproductive organs and bladder.