Download B ody Planes, D irections, and Cavities

Body Planes, Directions, and
Cavities
Objectives
• Label a diagram of the three planes of
the body with the names of the planes
and the directional terms created by
these planes
• Label a diagram of the main body
cavities
Objectives Cont….
• Identify the main organs located in
each body cavity
• Locate the four quadrants and the nine
abdominal regions
• Define, pronounce, and spell all of the
key terms
Body Planes:
• Definition = imaginary lines drawn
through the body to separate the body
into sections
Transverse Plane:
Horizontal plane dividing the
body into a top and bottom
half
1. Superior = body parts
above other parts
2. Inferior = body parts
below other parts
3. Cranial = body parts near the head
4. Caudal = body parts located near
the sacral region of the spinal column
(or near the tail bone)
Median/Midsagittal Plane:
Divides the body into right and
left sides
1. Medial = body parts
located near the middle or
midline of the body
2. Lateral = body parts
located away from the
midline or middle of the body
Frontal Plane:
Divides the body into
front and back section.
1. Anterior (ventral)=
body parts on the front
of the body
2. Posterior (dorsal) =
body parts on the back
of the body
• Proximal = body parts
close to the point of
reference
• Distal = body parts
away from the point of
reference
Body Cavities:
Spaces within the body which contain vital organs
Dorsal Body Cavities
-Cranial Cavity
-Spinal Cavity
Ventral Body Cavities
-Thoracic Cavity
-Pericardial Cavity
-Pleural Cavity
-Abdominopelvic Cavity
-Abdominal Cavity
-Pelvic Cavity
Posterior Cavity:
One long continuous cavity that is located
on the back of the body, divided into
two sections
1. Cranial Cavity = contains the brain
2. Spinal Cavity = contains the spinal
cord
Anterior Cavities:
Larger and separated into two
distinct cavities by a domeshaped muscle called the
diaphragm, which is important
for breathing
1. Thoracic Cavity = located
in the chest, contains the heart,
lungs, and the large blood
vessels
-Mediastinum—central
region that seperates the lungs
and houses the heart, trachea,
and other visceral organs
2. Abdominopelvic Cavity
-Abdominal Cavity = Upper part;
contains the stomach, small intestines, most
of the large intestines, liver, gallbladder,
pancreas and spleen
-Pelvic Cavity = lower abdominal cavity
containing urinary bladder, the reproductive
organs, and last part of the large intestines
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants: