Ch. 7.2 Body Planes, Directions, and Cavities Key Terms
What is the abdominal cavity.
The upper part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It contains the stomach, small intestine, most of the large intestine, appendix, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.
What are abdominal regions
Sections the abdominal cavity is divided into, such as the four quadrants (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) or the more precise nine regions (e.g., epigastric, umbilical, hypochondriac).
What is the anterior
Body parts in front of the frontal (coronal) plane, or on the front of the body; also called ventral.
What is the bilateral
Refers to conditions that affect both sides of the body.
What are body cavities
Spaces within the body that contain vital organs
What are body planes
Imaginary lines drawn through the body at various parts to separate the body into sections.
What is the buccal cavity
One of the three small cavities, it is the mouth and contains the teeth and tongue.
What is the caudal
Body parts located near the sacral region of the spinal column (the "tail").
What is cranial
Body parts located near the head.
What is cranial cavity
A section of the dorsal cavity that contains the brain.
What is the deep
Also called internal, these terms indicate structures are located away from the body surface.
What are ventral cavities
The main anterior cavities, which are larger than the dorsal cavities and are separated by the diaphragm. They include the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.
What is unilateral
Refers to conditions that affect only one side of the body.
What is the thoracic cavity
Located in the chest. It contains the esophagus, trachea, bronchi, lungs, heart, and large blood vessels.
What is the sagittal plane
Divides the body into left and right sections.
What is the proximal
Used for extremities (arms and legs), referring to body parts close to the point of reference (the main trunk of the body).
What is the pelvic cavity
The lower part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It contains the urinary bladder, the reproductive organs, and the last part of the large intestine.
What is the orbital cavity
One of the three small cavities, it is for the eyes.
What is the nasal cavity
One of the three small cavities, it is for the nose structures.
What is the 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.
What is the transverse plane
A horizontal plane that divides the body into a top half (superior) and a bottom half (inferior).
What is distal
Used for extremities (arms and legs), referring to body parts distant from the point of reference (the main trunk of the body).
What are the inferior
Body parts located below other parts, as divided by the transverse plane.
What is the frontal (coronal) plane
Divides the body into a front section (ventral/anterior) and a back section (dorsal/posterior).
What is the posterior
Body parts on the back of the body; also called dorsal.