Reading pages 12-19
Anatomical position –
◦ A position in which the body is erect
(standing), feet are slightly apart, palms face
forward, and the thumbs point away from the
body.
◦ In anatomical position, right and left refer to
the right and left sides of the person being
viewed.
◦ Anatomical position is always assumed
Directional terms –
◦ Used to explain exactly where one body part
is in relation to another
◦ Very specific terminology
2 divisions of regional anatomy –
◦ Axial –
Makes up the axis of the body
Includes head, neck, and trunk
◦ Appendicular –
The appendages of the body that attach to the axis of
the body
Includes upper and lower limbs
◦ Regional terms designate specific areas within the
axial and appendicular divisions.
Designates specific areas within the body divisions
Body planes are flat surfaces that lie at right angles
to each other
A section is named for the plane along which it is
cut
◦ Sagittal plane = sagittal section
Body planes =
◦ Sagittal
◦ Frontal
◦ Transverse
Sagittal –
◦ A vertical plane that separates the body into right and
left halves
Median or midsagittal plane – Sagittal plane that lies
exactly along the body’s midline
Parasagital –Sagittal plane that lies offset of the midline
Frontal –
◦ A vertical plane that separates the body into anterior
and posterior parts
◦ Also called a coronal plane –
Divides the body across the crown of the head
Transverse –
◦ A horizontal plane that runs from right to left
◦ Divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Sections –
◦ Cuts made along specific planes
◦ Transverse –
Cross section
Made along a transverse plane
◦ Oblique –
Cuts made at angles between the horizontal and
vertical planes
Body cavities –
◦ Spaces within the body that are closed to the
outside and contain the internal organs
◦ Dorsal body cavity –
Space that houses the central nervous system
Cranial –
Is within the skull & houses the brain
Vertebral –
Spinal cavity
Cavity within the vertebral column houses the spinal cord
Ventral body cavity –
◦ Anterior to & larger than the dorsal body cavity
◦ Thoracic –
Superior division
Surrounded by ribs and muscles
Pleural cavities – Houses lungs
Mediastinum – Contains the esophagus & trachea
Pericardial cavity - Encloses the heart
Ventral body cavities cont. –
◦ Abdominopelvic –
Inferior division of the ventral body cavity
Separated from thoracic by the diaphragm
Abdominal cavity –
Contains the stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver
Pelvic cavity –
Inferior part w/ in the bony pelvis
Contains the bladder, reproductive organs, & the rectum
Serous membranes are also called serosae
Serous membrane contains…
◦ Parietal –
Lines the cavity walls
Named for specific cavities in which it is associated
◦ Visceral –
Covers the outer surface of organs in the cavity
Named for the specific organ in which it is associated
Serous membranes secrete & are separated by a
thin layer of lubrication fluid = serous fluid
◦ allows organs to slide without friction along cavity walls
and between each organ
Helps to divide into
smaller areas for
study
Figure 1.11a
Oral and digestive – mouth and cavities of the
digestive organs
Nasal –located within and posterior to the nose
Orbital – house the eyes
Middle ear – contains bones (ossicles) that
transmit sound vibrations
Synovial – joint cavities
Figure 1.13