Anatomy Notes

Anatomical Terminology & Body Organization

1. Anatomical Position

 Definition: Body standing erect, facing forward, feet
parallel and flat on the floor, upper limbs at sides,
palms facing forward (supinated).

2. Directional Terms

 Anterior (Ventral): Toward the front (e.g., sternum
is anterior to the heart).
 Posterior (Dorsal): Toward the back (e.g.,
esophagus is posterior to the trachea).
 Superior (Cranial): Toward the head or upper body
(e.g., eyes are superior to the mouth).
 Inferior (Caudal): Away from the head, toward
lower body (e.g., stomach is inferior to the lungs).
 Medial: Toward the midline of the body (e.g., heart
is medial to the lungs).
 Lateral: Away from the midline (e.g., arms are
lateral to the torso).
 Proximal: Closer to the point of attachment or origin
(e.g., elbow is proximal to the wrist).
 Distal: Farther from the point of attachment or
origin (e.g., fingers are distal to the elbow).
 Superficial: Near the surface (e.g., skin is superficial
to muscle).
 Deep: Away from the surface, internal (e.g., bones
are deep to muscles).

, 3. Body Planes

 Sagittal: Divides body into left and right portions.
(Midsagittal = equal halves).
 Frontal (Coronal): Divides body into anterior (front)
and posterior (back) portions.
 Transverse (Horizontal): Divides body into
superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.

4. Major Body Cavities

 Dorsal Cavity:
o Cranial Cavity: Encloses the brain.
o Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity: Encloses the spinal
cord.
 Ventral Cavity:
o Thoracic Cavity: Pleural cavities (lungs),
Pericardial cavity (heart), Mediastinum.
o Abdominopelvic Cavity:
 Abdominal: Stomach, liver, intestines,
spleen, kidneys.
 Pelvic: Bladder, internal reproductive
organs, rectum.



The Skeletal System