1. The Human Body: Reading the Map2
The Human Body: Reading the Map

2. Multimedia Asset Directory
Slide 15 Fowlers Positioning Video
Slide 16 Lateral Positioning Video
Slide 17 Dorsal Positioning Video
Slide 18 Prone Positioning Video
Slide 19 Lithotomy Positioning Video
Slide 20 Sims Positioning Video
Slide 21 Supine Positioning Video
Slide 37 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Video
Slide 38 Ultrasound Video
Slide 39 Radiologic Technology Video
Slide 60 Surgical Team Video

3. Introduction
This chapter will provide you with the major external map of the human body.
Future chapters will get into more depth for each particular area and begin to provide a detailed map of the interior regions.
The medical directional terms and body locations will serve as a foundation upon which to build.
By the time you finish your journey through this book you will know your own body like “the back of your hand.”

4. Learning Objectives List and describe the various body positions.
Define the body planes and associated directional terms.
Locate and describe the body cavities and their respective organs.
List and describe the anatomical divisions of the abdominal region.
Identify and locate the various body regions.

5. Pronunciation Guide abdominopelvic cavity (ab DOM ih noh PELL vik)
Click on the megaphone icon before each item to hear the pronunciation.
abdominopelvic cavity (ab DOM ih noh PELL vik)
antecubital (an tee CUE bi tal)
buccal (BUCK al)
caudal (KAWD al)
cephalic (seh FAL ik)
coronal plane (koh ROH nal)
cranial (KRAY nee al)
distal (DISS tal)
dorsal (DOR sal)

6. Pronunciation Guide gluteal (GLOO tee al)
Click on the megaphone icon before each item to hear the pronunciation.
gluteal (GLOO tee al)
mediastinum (ME dee ah STY num)
midsagittal plane (mid SAJ ih tal)
pleural cavities (PLOO ral)
superficial (SOO per FISH al)
thoracic cavity (tho RASS ik)
transverse (tranz VERS)

7. Map of the Human Body
Directional terms, like north, south, east, or west, are needed for reading a map.
Maps representing a specific region have more detail, making it easier to explore.

8. Map of the Human Body
Likewise, scientists have created standardized body directional terms, splitting the body into distinct regions, sections, and cavities to more clearly and rapidly locate and discuss anatomical features.
Anatomical landmarks serve as the needed points of reference.

9. Importance of Mapping
Does a statement “I have pain in my stomach” tell you a lot about exact location?
Location of pain can be a determining factor in diagnosis.
Questions about type of pain, exact location, and intensity of pain can help determine etiology.

10. Body Positions
The body can assume many position and therefore have different orientations.
To standardize the orientation for the study of anatomy, scientists have developed the anatomical position.
The anatomical position is that in which the human being is standing erect, face forward, with feet parallel, arms hanging at the sides, and palms facing forward.

11. Figure 2-1 The anatomical position.

12. Other Important Body Positions
Supine position – laying face upward, on your back
Prone position – laying face downward, on your stomach
Fowler’s position – sitting in bed with the head of the bed elevated 45–60 degrees
Facilitates breathing and comfort of the bedridden patient
Trendelenburg position – the head of the bed is lower than the patient’s feet

13. Figure 2-2 Common patient positions.

14. Figure 2-2 (continued) Common patient positions.

15. Click here to view a video on the topic of Fowlers positioning.
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16. Click here to view a video on the topic of lateral positioning.
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17. Click here to view a video on the topic of dorsal positioning.
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18. Click here to view a video on the topic of prone positioning.
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19. Click here to view a video on the topic of lithotomy positioning.
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20. Click here to view a video on the topic of Sims positioning.
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21. Click here to view a video on the topic of supine positioning.
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22. Directional Terms Directional terms are used to navigate the body.
Superior (cranial or cephalic) means toward the head or upper body.
Inferior (caudal) means away from the head or toward the lower part of the body.

23. Directional Terms
Anterior or ventral refers to body parts towards or on the front of the body.
Posterior or dorsal refers to body parts towards or on the back of the body.

24. Directional Terms
Proximal refers to body parts close to a point of reference of the body.
Distal refers to body parts away from a point of reference.
External means toward the outside.

25. Directional Terms Internal means on the inside.
Superficial means toward or at the body surface.
Deep means away from the body surface.

26. Directional Terms
Central refers to locations around the center of the body.
Peripheral refers to the extremities or outer regions.
Medial refers to body parts located near the middle or midline of the body.
Lateral refers to body parts located away from midline.

28. Figure 2-4 Body directional terms.

29. Figure 2-5 Contrast of central versus peripheral cyanosis.

30. FROM THE STREETS Current Slant on the Trendelenburg Position
For years, the Trendelenburg position was used in emergencies to increase blood return to the body's core.
Research over the last two decades has found the position relatively ineffective and may sometimes worsen conditions such as spinal fractures.

31. FROM THE STREETS Current Slant on the Trendelenburg Position
Although now rarely used in EMS, you may still encounter it since laypersons still believe it is appropriate care.

32. Body Planes
A plane is an imaginary line drawn through the body or organ to separate it into specific sections.
Transverse or horizontal plane – divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) sections; also referred to as cross-sectioning the body
The median or midsagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves.
Sagittal plane – divides body into right and left sections.
The frontal plane or coronal plane divides the body into front and back sections.

33. Figure 2-6 Transverse plane and a cross-sectional view of the upper abdominal region.

34. Figure 2-7 Midsagittal or median plane along with a sagittal view of the head.

35. Figure 2-8 Frontal or coronal plane along with a coronal view of the chest and stomach.

36. Applied Science: X-rays, CT Scans, and MRI’s
X-rays are beams of high energy radiation that penetrate the body and give a two-dimensional view of bones, air, and tissues.
Enhancing an x-ray with computers gives much better detail, contrast, and a three-dimensional view – often called a CT (computerized tomography) scan or CAT scan
An MRI (magnetic resonance imager) gives even greater detail of tissue structures, even down to individual nerve bundles, with no radiation exposure.

37. Click here to view a video on the topic of magnetic resonance imaging.
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38. Click here to view a video on the topic of ultrasound.
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39. Click here to view a video on the topic of radiologic technology.
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40. Body Cavities
The body has two large open spaces called cavities that house and protect organs.
The dorsal (posterior) cavity is located on the back of the body.
The larger ventral (anterior) cavity is located on the front of the body.
Divided into two smaller cavities called the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities. These two smaller cavities are divided by the diaphragm that is used for breathing.
The abdominopelvic cavity can be further divided into the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

41. Thoracic Cavity The thoracic cavity contains The heart The lungs
Large blood vessels

42. Abdominal Cavity
The abdominal cavity contains the digestive organs such as the
Stomach
Intestines
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas
Spleen

43. Pelvic Cavity
The lower portion of the abdominopelvic cavity contains the
Urinary organs
Reproductive organs
Large part of the large intestine

44. Dorsal Cavity
The dorsal cavity is located in the back of the body and consists of two cavities.
The cranial cavity houses the brain.
The spinal (vertebral) cavity contains the spinal cord.

45. Figure 2-9 Main body cavities.

46. Smaller Cavities
There are many smaller cavities that designate specific areas.
The nasal cavity is the space behind the nose.
The buccal cavity is the space within the mouth.
The orbital cavity houses the eyes.

47. Clinical Application: The Central Landmark – The Spinal Column
The spinal or vertebral column is a major centrally located anatomical landmark.
There are five sets of vertebrae labeled for their locations in the body.
7 cervical (or C) vertebrae in the neck
12 thoracic (or T) vertebrae in the chest
5 lumbar (or L) vertebrae in the lower back
5 fused sacral vertebrae
1 coccyx or tailbone

48. Figure 2-10 The spinal column.

49. Abdominal Regions
The umbilical region is located in the center, with the right and left lumbar regions located laterally.
The epigastric region (epi = above, gastric = stomach) is located superior to the umbilical region with the right and left hypochondriac regions located on either side.
The hypogastric region lies inferior to the umbilical area, with the right and left iliac or inguinal areas flanking it.

50. Figure 2-11 The nine divisions of the abdominal region.

51. Clinical Application: Hernias
You may have heard of umbilical or inguinal hernias and now you know where these would be located.
A hernia is a tear in the muscle wall that allows a structure to protrude through.
Hernias can be a minor nuisance or they can become very dangerous if blood flow is restricted to the portion of the organ that is protruding. This can lead to death of the tissue, called necrosis, and serious consequences.

52. Figure 2-12 Illustrations of the inguinal and umbilical hernias.

53. Abdominal Quadrants
A simpler way to compartmentalize the abdominal region is to separate it into anatomical quadrants.
This is very helpful in describing the location of abdominal pain.

54. Abdominal Quadrants
Knowing the organs located in the quadrant where the pain is arising can give you a clue as to what type of problem the patient has.
RLQ (right lower quadrant) pain – appendicitis
RUQ (right upper quadrant) pain – liver or gallbladder problems

55. Figure The clinical division of the abdominal region into quadrants with related organs and structures.

56. Additional Body Regions
There are additional body regions that help to further aid in locating areas or structures. Examples include the
Axillary region
Brachial region
Femoral region
Pubic region
Patellar region

57. Figure 2-14 Anterior and posterior body regions.

58. Table 2-2 Examples of Body Regions and Their Locations.

59. Table 2-2 (continued) Examples of Body Regions and Their Locations.

60. Click here to view a video on the topic of the surgical team.
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61. FROM THE STREETS
A thorough knowledge of anatomical landmarks is important in explaining the location and severity of trauma injuries.
Using appropriate terminology facilitates effective communication between pre-hospital and in-hospital health care teams.

62. FROM THE STREETS: Surface Anatomy
Figure 2-15 Gunshot wound to the chest. © Edward T. Dickinson, MD

63. Snapshots from the Journey
The body can assume many different positions. To standardize it, we use the anatomical position facing forward with arms at the side and palms facing forward. Other positions such as prone, supine, Trendelenburg, and Fowler’s position can be used in health care settings.
The body can be divided by the use of planes into different sections, including the transverse, midsagittal, and frontal planes.

64. Snapshots from the Journey
Directional terms, such as anterior and posterior, superior and inferior, and internal and external help us to navigate the body. It is important to always remember that directions such as right and left are referenced from the patient’s perspective and NOT yours.

65. Snapshots from the Journey
The body has several cavities that house anatomical structures (mainly organs) and specific regions that are all important to know so that health care professionals can communicate in specific terms that leave no room for confusion.

66. Case Study
A 50-year-old female patient presents with sternal pain radiating to the left brachial area. Peripheral cyanosis is noted in the digital areas, and she exhibits pedal edema. No epigastric pain is noted. She reports that she became dizzy and had fallen, bruising the right orbital region, and she received superficial cuts to the right patellar region. The physician ordered an IV to be started in the left antecubital space. Please answer the following questions in common lay terms.

67. Case Study Questions Where would you suggest placing a bandage?
Where did her pain begin?
Where does the pain move to?
Does she have stomach pain?
Where will the IV be started?
What part of her body is swollen?

68. FROM THE STREETS
You are called to the scene of a 50-year-old male unrestrained driver in a motor vehicle collision (MVC). Upon arrival you find the patient lying supine on the street with lower back pain, a deep laceration to his left thigh area, and abdominal pain around his belly button. His distal pulses are rapid and weak and cyanosis to his hands and feet is observed.

69. From the Street Questions
In lay terms describe the position in which the driver was found.
Using body region terms, describe the location of the patient’s back pain.
Using body region terms, describe the specific location of the patient’s abdominal pain.
Using directional terms, describe the location of the patient’s bluish-colored skin.
Describe the location of the patient’s distal pulses.

70. From the Street Questions
In lay terms describe the position in which the driver was found. Laying face upward, on his back
Using body region terms, describe the location of the patient’s back pain. Lumbar
Using body region terms, describe the specific location of the patient’s abdominal pain. Umbilical region
Using directional terms, describe the location of the patient’s bluish-colored skin. Peripheral cyanosis
Describe the location of the patient’s distal pulses. Radial and Pedal pulses (the most distal)

71. End of Chapter Review Questions
A massage therapist would ask you to assume which position for a back massage?
Prone
Supine
Fowler’s
Lotus

72. End of Chapter Review Questions
Which of the following is NOT in the abdominopelvic cavity?
Stomach
Liver
Reproductive organs
Heart

73. End of Chapter Review Questions
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in what region of the body?
Head
Cheek
Armpit
Wrist

74. End of Chapter Review Questions
The midsagittal plane divides the body into
superior and inferior
anterior and posterior
cranial and caudal
left and right

75. End of Chapter Review Questions
An organ contained in the RLQ would be:
Appendix
Heart
Lungs
Brain

76. End of Chapter Review Questions
A motorcyclist collides with a car and is bleeding profusely from a deep cut on the thigh. What artery is most likely damaged.
Radial
Brachial
Patellar
Femoral

77. End of Chapter Review Questions
A standard position in which a human stands erect, face forward, with feet parallel, arms at the side with palms forward is called the _________________ position.
The ________ position is laying face upward and on your back.
The mouth is located __________ to the nose, whereas the nose is located _____________ to the mouth.

78. End of Chapter Review Questions
The organ found in the cranial cavity is the ____________.
____________ indicates blueness of the extremities and therefore would affect the peripheral areas of the body.
A coroner needs to examine the third ventricle, a structure located in the midline of the brain. A ___________ section would be most useful.

79. End of Chapter Review Questions
List the organs located in the abdominal cavity.
Compare and contrast the prone, supine, and Fowler’s positions.
List and describe the location of the nine abdominal regions using directional terms.