Ch. 7.2 Body Planes, Directions, and Cavities Key Terms
Caudal
body parts located near the sacral region of the spinal column (also known as the "tail").
Dorsal
Body parts on the back of the body
midsagittal plane
a sagittal plane runs down the midline of the body and divides the body into equal halves
Proximal
describe the location of the extremities (arms and legs) in relation to the main trunk of the body, generally called the point of reference.
thoracic cavity
located in the chest and contains the esophagus, trachea, bronchi, lungs, heart, and large blood vessels.
Cranial
body parts located near the head
frontal (coronal) plane
divides the body into a front section and a back section.
nasal cavity
nose structures
sagittal plane
divides the body into left and right sections.
transverse plane
a horizontal plane that divides the body into a top half and a bottom half.
cranial cavity
contains the brain
Inferior
body parts below other parts
orbital cavity
the eyes
spinal cavity
contains the spinal cord
The abdominal cavity, or abdominopelvic cavity,
is divided into an upper part and a lower part.
Deep
internal to indicate the structures are located away from the body surface.
Lateral
body parts away from the midline
The pelvic cavity
contains the urinary bladder, the reproductive organs, and the last part of the large intestine.
Superficial
indicate the structures are located near the body surface and deep or internal to indicate the structures are located away from the body surface.
abdominal regions
specific areas on the anterior (front) surface of the abdomen.
Distal
body parts distant from the point of reference
Medial
Body parts close to the midline, or plane
Posterior
Body parts on the back of the body
Superior
Body parts above other parts
Anterior
Body parts in front of the plane, or on the front of the body