1. The Human Body: An Orientation1
P A R T B
The Human Body: An Orientation

2. Anatomical Position
Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, thumbs point away from body
Figure 1.7a

3. Directional Terms
Table 1.1a

4. Directional Terms
Table 1.1b

5. Body Planes
Figure 1.8

6. Body Cavities Cranial cavity (contains brain) Thoracic Dorsal body
Diaphragm
Abdominal cavity
(contains digestive
viscera)
Pelvic cavity
(contains bladder,
reproductive organs,
and rectum)
Vertebral cavity
(contains spinal
cord)
Key:
Dorsal body cavity
Ventral body cavity
Thoracic
(contains
heart
and lungs)
(a) Lateral view
Figure 1.9a

7. Body Cavities Key: Cranial Dorsal body cavity Ventral body cavity
(thoracic
and
abdomino-
pelvic
cavities)
Abdomino-
cavity
Superior
mediastinum
Pleural
Cranial
Vertebral
Pericardial
cavity within
the mediastinum
Diaphragm
Abdominal cavity
(contains digestive
viscera)
Pelvic cavity
(contains bladder,
reproductive organs,
and rectum)
Thoracic
(contains
heart
and lungs)
(b) Anterior view
Key:
Dorsal body cavity
Ventral body cavity
Figure 1.9b

8. Ventral Body Cavity Membranes
Parietal serosa lines internal body walls
Visceral serosa covers the internal organs
Serous fluid separates the serosae

9. Serous Membrane Relationship
Figure 1.10a

10. Heart Serosae
Figure 1.10b

11. Other Body Cavities
Figure 1.13

12. Abdominopelvic Regions
Figure 1.11a

13. Organs of the Abdominopelvic Regions
Figure 1.11b

14. Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Right upper
Left upper
Right lower
Left lower
Figure 1.12