Download BODY ORGANIZATION LAB

Physiology
Body Organization Activity
INTRODUCTION: This activity will help you to learn the vocabulary use to describe the human body. This
vocabulary consists of directional terms, body sections and planes and body cavities. All the terms are
used relative to the anatomical position which provides us with reference for describing the body. This
means the person is standing and facing the observer. The arms are at the sides of the body with the
palms facing forward.
PURPOSE: To learn and understand the terminology used to describe the organization of the human
body.
MATERIALS: gummy bears, razor or knife, note cards for labeling, paper
PART I: Directional terms. This vocabulary consists of directional terms named because they point out
the location of a body part. There are six pairs used, each term in a pair is the opposite.
Superior-Inferior
Anterior-Posterior
Ventral-Dorsal
Proximal-Distal
Medial-Lateral
Right-Left
1. Copy or trace the following diagram into your spiral bound notebook and label each diagram with
the appropriate directional terms given above. Include the midline and label it as well.
Co p yright © Th e McGraw-Hill Co mpanies, In c. Permission req uired fo r rep roduction o r d isplay.
2. Below your diagram write a statement for each of the six pairs of directional terms. The
statements should show the relationship of each pair.
Ex. “ The wrist is distal to the elbow, but the shoulder is proximal to the elbow.”
PART II: Body sections and planes. The word anatomy is derived from the Greek prefix “meaning to cut up”.
The sections are planes produced in the body to reveal its internal anatomy. There are three main sections that
use two different terms to describe the same planes of division. They are as follows:
Median or Midsagittal
Frontal (coronal) plane
Frontal or Coronal Transverse or Horizontal
Median (midsagittal) plane
Transverse (horizontal) plane
1. Take one gummy bear and a single edge razor blade. Cut through the median plane of the bear.
Draw a diagram of the resulting two parts and label it Diagram A-Median plane. Using
directional terms (learned in Part I) write a descriptive sentence about the resulting halves and
label your gummy bear parts.
2. Take a second gummy bear. Now make a cut through the frontal plane. Draw this diagram and
label it Diagram B-Frontal plane. Using directional terms (learned in Part I) write a descriptive
sentence about the resulting halves and label your gummy bear parts.
3. Take a third gummy bear and cut a transverse plane. Label this Diagram C-Transverse plane
Using directional terms (learned in Part I) write a descriptive sentence about the resulting halves
and label your gummy bear parts.
PART III: Body Cavities. There are two principle body regions and these are broken up into smaller
cavities.
1.) Axial portion
 Cranial cavity
 Vertebral canal
 Thoracic cavity
 Right pleural cavity
 Left pleural cavity
 Pericardial cavity
Abdominopelvic cavity
 Abdominal cavity
 Pelvic cavity
2.) Appendicular portion
 Limbs

1. Copy the diagrams below and label each using the terms above. You should also include the
diaphragm and the mediastinum.
2. Write the names of each structure below and identify which principle body cavity each would be
found in and which sub cavity each would be found in.
Example: trachea=axial portion/thoracic cavity
Brain
stomach
Lungs
right arm
Bladder
spinal cord
Heart
ovary
Uterus
esophagus
Small intestines left leg
3. With your partner, write the name of each cavity on a note card and stick the card in the
appropriate region on one of you. Show your teacher when you have done completed this so your
group can be checked for the correct placement.
PART IV: Practice
1. Copy each of the following statements on your own paper and fill in the appropriate word choice.
( superior or inferior)
a. Oral region______________vs. nose________________________________
b. Cervical region__________vs. tail bone___________________________
( anterior/posterior)
c. Nose_______________vs. ear___________________
d. Knuckles __________vs. palm_________________
(medial or lateral)
e. Radius bone_________________vs. ulna bone___________
f. Orbital region_______________vs. ear__________________
(proximal or distal)
g. Fingers___________________vs. carpal region_____________
h. Upper arm_______________vs. clavicle____________________
PART V: Project connection
Given your group scenario for the project, list the organs and other body structures that may be involved
in your patient and identify their location in the body using anatomical terminology