Anatomy Terms

Orientation and DirectionOrientation and Direction

Superior – towards head Superior – towards head

Inferior (caudal) – towards the lower part of a body partInferior (caudal) – towards the lower part of a body part

Anterior (ventral) – frontAnterior (ventral) – front

Posterior (dorsal) – backPosterior (dorsal) – back

Medial – toward the midline of the bodyMedial – toward the midline of the body

Lateral – Away from the midlineLateral – Away from the midline

Intermediate – between a more medial and lateral position Intermediate – between a more medial and lateral position (center)(center)

Proximal – Closer to the origin of the body Proximal – Closer to the origin of the body partpart

Distal – closer to the end of the body partDistal – closer to the end of the body part

Superficial – Toward the body surfaceSuperficial – Toward the body surface

Deep – Away from the body surfaceDeep – Away from the body surface

Body Planes, Sections, and Cavitites

Body planes

Body is 3DBody is 3D

Can be split into three Can be split into three planesplanes

SagittalSagittal CoronalCoronal Transverse Transverse

Sagittal Plane Plane splitting the body Plane splitting the body

into two parts (left and into two parts (left and right)right)

Sagittal section is a cut Sagittal section is a cut made longitudinally along made longitudinally along the bodythe body

If it splits into two equal If it splits into two equal parts = midsagittalparts = midsagittal

Coronal Plane

Plane which splits Plane which splits body into anterior and body into anterior and posterior sectionposterior section

Transverse Plane

Separates body along Separates body along horizontal planehorizontal plane

Also called a cross Also called a cross sectionsection

Will divide an Will divide an organism into superior organism into superior and inferior partsand inferior parts

Body Cavities

Cavities

Opening within body Opening within body which protects internal which protects internal organs, and allows organs, and allows transfer of transfer of materials/informationmaterials/information

2 Divisions2 Divisions DorsalDorsal VentralVentral

Dorsal Cavities

Made up of two smaller Made up of two smaller cavitiescavities

1) 1) Cranial CavityCranial Cavity – – holds and protects brainholds and protects brain

2) 2) Spinal CavitySpinal Cavity – – column which runs column which runs through vertebra and through vertebra and protects spinal chordprotects spinal chord

Ventral Cavities Divided into two smaller Divided into two smaller

cavitiescavities

1) Thoracic – chest area 1) Thoracic – chest area (holds heart, lungs, and (holds heart, lungs, and diaphragm)diaphragm)

2) Abdominopelvic – lower 2) Abdominopelvic – lower torso (holds digestive and torso (holds digestive and reproductive organs)reproductive organs) Subdivided into Subdivided into

abdominal and pelvic abdominal and pelvic cavity.cavity.