■ Study Guide – Chapter 1B: The Human Body (Orientation)
■ 1. Anatomical Position & Directional Terms
Standard Anatomical Position: Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms forward, thumbs outward.
Directional Terms (always relative to anatomical position):
Superior (cranial) – toward head.
Inferior (caudal) – away from head.
Anterior (ventral) – front of body.
Posterior (dorsal) – back of body.
Medial – toward midline.
Lateral – away from midline.
Proximal – closer to origin/attachment.
Distal – farther from origin/attachment.
Superficial – toward surface.
Deep – away from surface.
■ 2. Regional Terms
Axial – head, neck, trunk.
Appendicular – limbs (arms, legs).
Regional terms specify subdivisions (e.g., thoracic, abdominal, cephalic).
■ 3. Body Planes & Sections
Sagittal plane – divides right & left.
Midsagittal (median) – exactly on midline.
Parasagittal – off midline.
Frontal (coronal) plane – divides anterior & posterior (front/back).
Transverse (horizontal) plane – divides superior & inferior (top/bottom).
Oblique section – cut at an angle (not 90°).
Clinical Example: MRI/CT scans often correspond to these planes.
, ■ 4. Body Cavities & Membranes
Purpose: Protect organs, compartmentalize body.
Major Cavities:
Dorsal Cavity (protects nervous system):
Cranial cavity → brain.
Vertebral cavity → spinal cord.
Ventral Cavity (houses viscera, separated by diaphragm):
Thoracic cavity:
Pleural cavities → lungs.
Mediastinum → esophagus, trachea, major vessels.
Pericardial cavity → heart.
Abdominopelvic cavity:
Abdominal cavity → stomach, intestines, liver, spleen.
Pelvic cavity → bladder, reproductive organs, rectum.
Membranes:
Serosa (serous membrane) – thin, double-layered.
Parietal serosa – lines cavity walls.
Visceral serosa – covers organs.
Layers separated by serous fluid (reduces friction).
■ 1. Anatomical Position & Directional Terms
Standard Anatomical Position: Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms forward, thumbs outward.
Directional Terms (always relative to anatomical position):
Superior (cranial) – toward head.
Inferior (caudal) – away from head.
Anterior (ventral) – front of body.
Posterior (dorsal) – back of body.
Medial – toward midline.
Lateral – away from midline.
Proximal – closer to origin/attachment.
Distal – farther from origin/attachment.
Superficial – toward surface.
Deep – away from surface.
■ 2. Regional Terms
Axial – head, neck, trunk.
Appendicular – limbs (arms, legs).
Regional terms specify subdivisions (e.g., thoracic, abdominal, cephalic).
■ 3. Body Planes & Sections
Sagittal plane – divides right & left.
Midsagittal (median) – exactly on midline.
Parasagittal – off midline.
Frontal (coronal) plane – divides anterior & posterior (front/back).
Transverse (horizontal) plane – divides superior & inferior (top/bottom).
Oblique section – cut at an angle (not 90°).
Clinical Example: MRI/CT scans often correspond to these planes.
, ■ 4. Body Cavities & Membranes
Purpose: Protect organs, compartmentalize body.
Major Cavities:
Dorsal Cavity (protects nervous system):
Cranial cavity → brain.
Vertebral cavity → spinal cord.
Ventral Cavity (houses viscera, separated by diaphragm):
Thoracic cavity:
Pleural cavities → lungs.
Mediastinum → esophagus, trachea, major vessels.
Pericardial cavity → heart.
Abdominopelvic cavity:
Abdominal cavity → stomach, intestines, liver, spleen.
Pelvic cavity → bladder, reproductive organs, rectum.
Membranes:
Serosa (serous membrane) – thin, double-layered.
Parietal serosa – lines cavity walls.
Visceral serosa – covers organs.
Layers separated by serous fluid (reduces friction).
