Ch 7.2 Body Planes, Directions, and Cavities
abdominal cavity
The upper part of the abdominopelvic cavity; contains the stomach, small intestine, most of the large intestine, appendix, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
body planes
Imaginary lines drawn through the body at various parts to separate the body into sections (e.g., transverse, sagittal, frontal).
buccal cavity
A small cavity, also known as the mouth, which contains the teeth and tongue.
caudal
Directional term meaning body parts located near the sacral region of the spinal column (the "tail").
cranial
Directional term meaning body parts located near the head.
abdominal regions
Sections the abdominal cavity is divided into
cranial cavity
A section of the dorsal cavity that contains the brain.
deep
Indicates a structure is located away from the body surface (also called internal).
distal
Used to describe extremities (arms and legs); means body parts distant from the point of reference (the main trunk of the body).
dorsal
Body parts on the back of the body; also refers to the dorsal cavity (the posterior cavity).
anterior
Body parts in front of the frontal plane, or on the front of the body; also called ventral.
19. nasal cavity
A small cavity for the nose structures.
posterior
Body parts on the back of the body; also called dorsal.
inferior
Body parts located below other parts (related to the transverse plane).
medial
Body parts close to the midline or midsagittal plane.
bilateral
A condition that affects both sides of the body.
24. sagittal plane
A plane that divides the body into left and right sections.
20. orbital cavity
A small cavity for the eyes.
spinal cavity
A section of the dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord.
proximal
Used to describe extremities (arms and legs); means body parts close to the point of reference (the main trunk of the body).
body cavities
Spaces within the body that contain vital organs (e.g., dorsal and ventral cavities).
frontal (coronal) plane
A plane that divides the body into a front section (anterior/ventral) and a back section (posterior/dorsal).
pelvic cavity
The lower part of the abdominopelvic cavity; contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and the last part of the large intestine.
midsagittal plane
A sagittal plane that runs down the midline of the body and divides the body into equal left and right halves (also called the median plane).
lateral
Body parts away from the midline or midsagittal plane.