BODY POSITIONS
This is the standard reference position used in anatomy.
Anatomical position
The head is ___ to the neck.
Superior
This plane divides the body into left and right halves.
Sagittal plane
The brain is located in this cavity.
Cranial cavity
The wrist belongs to this body region.
Carpal
A patient lying face up on a hospital bed is in this position.
Supine
The spine is ___ to the sternum.
Dorsal
This plane divides the body into front and back sections.
Frontal plane
The lungs and heart are located in this cavity.
Thoracic cavity
The fingers belong to this body region.
Digital
A patient lying face down during spinal surgery is in this position.
Prone
The wrist is ___ to the elbow.
Distal
This plane divides the body into top and bottom sections.
Transverse plane
The cranial and spinal cavities together form this major cavity.
Dorsal cavity
A tattoo becomes infected on the front of the wrist, and the doctor documents it using anatomical terms. Name the body region and describe whether it is ventral or dorsal.
Carpal region, ventral
Explain one key difference between anatomical position and supine position.
Anatomical position is standing upright; supine is lying face-up.
A wound is located closer to the trunk than the hand. Which directional term describes this?
Proximal
Which plane would best show cross sections of organs during a CT scan?
Transverse plane
An infection located inferior to the thoracic cavity but superior to the pelvic cavity affects which cavity?
Abdominal cavity
A patient reports pain directly over the kneecap after falling during gym class.
Which specific body region is affected?
Patellar
A patient is face down while a sagittal scan is taken. Name the body position and explain why anatomical directions still use anatomical position.
Prone, anatomical position keeps directions consistent regardless of body position.
A rash is described as lateral to the sternum and ventral to the spine. Where is it most likely located?
On the chest, away from the midline, on the front of the body.
A doctor wants to compare anterior and posterior organs at multiple levels of the body. Which plane is most useful and why?
Frontal plane because it separates front and back portions clearly.
A tumor is found posterior to the heart and inside the dorsal cavity. Which structure is affected?
Spinal cord
A rash appears on the dorsal surface of the wrist. Name the body region and the directional term used.
Carpal region, dorsal