Download Anterior (Ventral)

Directional Terms
Here is the proper anatomical position.
Stand up.
Make sure you are standing straight.
Feet pointing toward the front
Palms out. That’s right, point those thumbs away from
your body.
Superior
Toward the head end or upper part of a
structure or the body, above
Inferior
Away from the head end or toward the
lower part of a structure or the body,
below
Anterior (Ventral)
Toward or at the front of the body; in front
of
Posterior (Dorsal)
Toward or at the backside of the body;
behind
Medial
Toward or at the midline of the body; on
the inner side of
Lateral
Away from the head end or toward the
lower part of a midline of the body; on the
outer side of
Intermediate
Between a more medial and a more lateral
structure
Proximal
Close to the origin of a body part or the
point of attachment of a limb to the body
trunk
Distal
Farther from the origin of a body part or
the point of attachment of a limb to the
body trunk
Superficial (External)
Toward or at the body surface
Deep (Internal)
Away from the body surface, more internal
Let’s try some of these
proximal to the hand.
The wrist is ___________
anterior to the
 The breastbone is ___________
spine
superior to the spinal
 The brain is ___________
cord
superior to the
 The lungs are ___________
stomach
lateral
 The thumb is ___________
to the
fingers (remember proper position)

Body Planes/sections



Sagittal section – cut made along the
longitudinal plane of the body that divides
the body or organ into left and right parts
Frontal section - cut made along the
longitudinal plane of the body that divides
the body or organ into anterior and
posterior parts
Transverse section – cut made along a
horizontal plane of the body that divides the
body or organ into superior and inferior
parts. Also known as a cross section.
Body Cavities

Dorsal Body Cavity – contains the
◦ Cranial cavity – the space inside the bony
skull
◦ Spinal cavity – extends from the cranial
cavity nearly to the end of the vertebral
column. The vertebrae surround the spinal
cavity
Body Cavities

Ventral Body Cavity – contains the
◦ Thoracic cavity – superior cavity that contains
the lungs and heart. It is separated from the
abdominal cavity by the diaphragm and is
protected by the rib cage.
◦ Abdominal cavity – Intermediate cavity that
contains the stomach, intestines, and liver.
◦ Pelvic cavity – most inferior cavity that contains
the reproductive organs, bladder and rectum
Practice Website
http://www.wisconline.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=AP15305
Full-scale Figure 1.5
On a piece of bulletin board paper, trace
one of the people in your group in the
proper anatomical position on both sides of
the paper.
 Use figure 1.5 on page 12 (or your
homework from yesterday) to label each
landmark listed on page 13. (This is what
tomorrow’s memory check is on so study
as you go).
 Also, incorporate the directional terms
from page 14 onto your drawing as well.

Homework

Study for the Memory Check