1. Anatomical Directional Terms and Body Planes Health Science 20

2. Anatomical Directions Terms and Body Planes Anatomical directional terms are like the directions on a compass Used to describe the locations of structures in relation to other structures or locations in the body. Provides a common method of communication that helps to avoid confusion when identifying structures Each directional term often has a counterpart (opposite meaning)

3. Anatomical Body Planes Imagine dissecting a person with imaginary vertical and horizontal planes.

4. Sagittal Plane (Lateral Plane) Imagine a vertical plane that runs through your body from front to back or back to front. This plane divides the body into right and left regions

5. Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane) Imagine a vertical plane that runs through the center of your body from side to side Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) regions

6. Transverse Plane Imagine a horizontal plane that runs through the midsection of your body Divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) regions.

7. Anatomical Directional Terms

8. Anterior/Posterior Anterior – in front of; front Posterior – after, behind, following, toward the rear

9. Distal/Proximal Distal – away from; farther from the origin Proximal – near; closer to the origin

10. Dorsal/Ventral Dorsal – near the upper surface; toward the back Ventral – toward the bottom; toward the belly

11. Superior/Inferior Superior – above; over Inferior – below; under

12. Lateral/Medial Lateral – toward the side; away from the midline Medial – toward the midline; middle; away from the side

13. Body Cavities

14. A cavity is an open region within something There are 5 cavities in the body: – Cranial – Spinal – Thoracic – Abdominal – Pelvic

15. Cranial Cavity Aka. Intracranial space In the dorsal side of the body Space formed inside the skill The brain occupies the cranial cavity Lined by the meninges which contain cerebrospinal fluid to cushion blows

16. Spinal Cavity Aka. Intracranial space In the dorsal side of the body Contains the vertebrae and the spinal cord

17. Thoracic Cavity Aka. Chest cavity Ventral side of body Protected by the thoracic wall (rib cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia) Contains heart and lungs

18. Abdominal Cavity Largest body cavity Located inferior to the thoracic cavity and superior to the pelvic cavity Contains digestive organs

19. Pelvic Cavity Primarily contains reproductive organs, the urinary bladder, the pelvic colon, and the rectum