Anatomical Position & Directional Terms
This standard body stance is used as a universal reference point when describing locations.
What is the anatomical position?
The abdomen is divided into this many sections for assessment purposes.
What are four quadrants?
When organs work together to perform a specific function, they form this.
What is a body system?
This tissue type contracts to produce movement.
What is muscle tissue?
A surgeon specializing in the chest would most often operate on these organs.
What are the heart and lungs?
This directional term means farther from the body’s midline.
What is lateral?
This plane divides the body into front and back portions.
What is the coronal (frontal) plane?
The heart and blood vessels belong to this transport system.
What is the cardiovascular (circulatory) system?
This tissue sends electrical signals throughout the body.
What is nervous tissue?
The skin belongs to this protective system.
What is the integumentary system?
This term describes a structure closer to where it attaches to the trunk.
What is proximal?
This plane separates the body into upper and lower portions.
What is the transverse (horizontal) plane?
This system controls hormones and helps maintain internal balance.
What is the endocrine system?
This tissue covers surfaces and lines body cavities.
What is epithelial tissue?
This system is responsible for digesting nutrients and eliminating solid waste.
What is the gastrointestinal (digestive) system?
This term means toward the head or upper part of the body.
What is superior?
The stomach and intestines are found in this body cavity.
What is the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity?
This system allows the body to move and also produces red blood cells.
What is the musculoskeletal system?
Cells specialized for communication are called these.
What are nerve cells (neurons)?
This system helps regulate fluids and electrolytes and includes the kidneys.
What is the genitourinary (urinary) system?
This term refers to the back side of the body.
What is posterior (or dorsal)?
These protective membranes surround the brain and spinal cord.
What are the meninges?
This system removes carbon dioxide and brings oxygen into the body.
What is the respiratory system?
This tissue supports and binds structures like bone, cartilage, and blood.
What is connective tissue?
This system transmits messages and controls body responses.
What is the nervous system?