Anatomical Positions
This position means anywhere near the head.
Cranial
Cavity that contains the spine.
Vertebral cavity
Root word meaning stomach.
Gastro-
Thigh
Femoral region
The area above the belly button.
Umbilical region.
Palm side of hand.
Palmer
Divides the body into the top half and the bottom half. Horizontal and parallel to the ground. Also called the axial plane.
Transverse plane.
Suffix meaning surgical removal.
-ectomy
Chin
Mental region
Upper middle section where the stomach is located.
Epigastric region
Near the mid or center line of the body.
Medial
Divides the body into the front and back parts. Also called the frontal plane.
Coronal plane
Suffix meaning blood.
-emia
Knee
Popliteal region
Middle and lateral regions. Most of kidneys and part of the colon located on both sides.
Right and left lumbar regions
Bottom of the foot
Plantar
Cavity that contains heart, lungs, and major vessels around the heart.
Thoracic cavity
Prefix meaning veins.
Phlebo-
Back of lower leg.
Sural region
Lowest and most lateral region, part of the colon on both sides, some of the small intestines, and sometimes the ovaries.
Right and left inguinal, or iliac region
Near the surface of the body.
Superficial
Also called the lateral plane, it separates the body into left and right halves.
Sagittal Plane
Root word meaning fingers or toes.
Dactyl
Heel of foot
Calcaneal region
Uppermost and most lateral regions. On the right is the liver and part of the upper kidney. On the left is part of the pancreas and the spleen.
Right and left hypochondriac regions