| A | B |
|---|
| anatomical position | the body is facing forward, standing erect, feet parallel, holding arms at side with palms facing forward |
| directional terms | refer to the location of a structure or the relative position of a body part to another one |
| anterior | on the front of the body |
| posterior | on the back of the body |
| ventral | on the front of the body |
| dorsal | on the back of the body |
| cranial | refers to the head |
| caudal | refers to the tail or tailbone |
| superior | refers to the head, top, or upper body or section |
| inferior | refers to the tail, bottom or lower body or section |
| medial | refers to the middle |
| lateral | refers to the side |
| proximal | refers to the nearest point of reference |
| distal | refers to the farthest from the point of reference |
| superificial | on or near the surface |
| deep | on the inside |
| planes | an imaginary line that divides the body or organ into sections |
| sagittal | divides the body into right and left sides |
| midsagittal | divides the body into equal halves |
| frontal | divides the body into anterior and posterior |
| transverse | divides the body into top and bottom sections |
| body cavities | spaces within the body that contain and protect organs |
| abdominal | contains the stomach,liver,gallbladder,pancreas,spleen,large and small intestines, and the appendix |
| cranial | contains the brain |
| dorsal | contains the brain and spinal cord |
| pelvic | contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum |
| spinal | contains the spinal cord |
| thoracic | contains the heart,lungs,bronchi,trachea,esophagus,and thymus gland |
| abdominal quadrants | four subdivisions used to refernce abdominal organs |
| Right upper quadrant | RUQ |
| Right lower quadrant | RLQ |
| Left upper quadrant | LUQ |
| Left lower quadrant | LLQ |
| addominal/pelvic regions | subdivisions of the combined abdominal and pelvic cavity |
| epigastric | the area just below the sternum (breastbone) |
| umbilical | the area around the naval or umbilicus |
| hypogastric | the area below the stomach; the pubic area |
| hypochondriac | the area below the ribs |
| illiac | the area to the right and left of the pubic area; also know as the inguinal area |
| lumbar | the area on each side of the umbilicus; extends from anterior to posterior |
