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Anatomical Directional Terms
and Body Planes
Health Science 20
Anatomical Directions Terms and
Body Planes
• Anatomical directional terms are like the
directions on a compass
• Used to describe the locations of structures in
relation to other structures or locations in the
body.
• Provides a common method of
communication that helps to avoid confusion
when identifying structures
• Each directional term often has a counterpart
(opposite meaning)
Anatomical Body Planes
• Imagine
dissecting a
person with
imaginary vertical
and horizontal
planes.
Sagittal Plane (Lateral Plane)
• Imagine a vertical
plane that runs
through your body
from front to back
or back to front.
• This plane divides
the body into right
and left regions
Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane)
• Imagine a vertical
plane that runs
through the center of
your body from side
to side
• Divides the body into
front (anterior) and
back (posterior)
regions
Transverse Plane
• Imagine a horizontal
plane that runs
through the midsection
of your body
• Divides the body into
upper (superior) and
lower (inferior) regions.
Anatomical Directional Terms
Anterior/Posterior
• Anterior – in front of; front
• Posterior – after, behind, following, toward
the rear
Distal/Proximal
• Distal – away from;
farther from the origin
• Proximal – near; closer
to the origin
Dorsal/Ventral
• Dorsal – near the
upper surface;
toward the back
• Ventral – toward the
bottom; toward the
belly
Superior/Inferior
• Superior – above; over
• Inferior – below; under
Lateral/Medial
• Lateral – toward the side;
away from the midline
• Medial – toward the
midline; middle; away
from the side
Body Cavities
Body Cavities
• A cavity is an open
region within
something
• There are 5 cavities in
the body:
– Cranial
– Spinal
– Thoracic
– Abdominal
– Pelvic
Cranial Cavity
• Aka. Intracranial space
• In the dorsal side of the
body
• Space formed inside the skill
• The brain occupies the
cranial cavity
• Lined by the meninges
which contain cerebrospinal
fluid to cushion blows
Spinal Cavity
• Aka. Intracranial space
• In the dorsal side of the
body
• Contains the vertebrae
and the spinal cord
Thoracic Cavity
• Aka. Chest cavity
• Ventral side of body
• Protected by the
thoracic wall (rib cage
and associated skin,
muscle, and fascia)
• Contains heart and
lungs
Abdominal Cavity
• Largest body cavity
• Located inferior to
the thoracic cavity
and superior to
the pelvic cavity
• Contains digestive
organs
Pelvic Cavity
• Primarily contains
reproductive organs,
the urinary bladder,
the pelvic colon, and
the rectum