Positional and Directional
Terms
DEFINITIONS

Anatomy – the study of the structures
of the body (ex.- names of bones)

Physiology – the study of the
functions of these structures (ex.role of bones in the musculoskeletal
system)
ANATOMICAL POSITION
ALL descriptions of the body are
based on anatomical position. When
referring to anatomical position, that
means the person is:
1. Standing
2. Facing toward you
3. Arms at their sides
4. Palms toward you

PLANES OF THE BODY

Midsagittal (lateral) – lengthwise plane
that divides the body into
equal right and left sides

Sagittal (lateral) – divides the body into
unequal right and left sides
PLANES OF THE BODY

Frontal (coronal) - plane that divides
the body into front
and back portions

Transverse (horizontal) - plane that
divides the body into upper and lower
portions
POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Please turn to page 22, Table 2.1
Ventral
– front or belly side
Anterior – situated in front
Superior
– above, toward the head
Cephalic – toward the head
Proximal
– near the midline or
beginning of a structure
Medial – toward, near the midline
POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Dorsal – back of body or organ
 Posterior – situated in back

Inferior – below, toward the feet
 Caudal – toward lower part of body

Lateral – away from the midline
 Distal – farthest from midline or
beginning of a structure

POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Remember: ALL terms are
used in relation to what
body part they are being
compared to
Example: The ankle is
(
) to the knee?
BODY CAVITIES

Spaces within the body that contain
and protect internal organs

Dorsal Cavities (back of the body):
Cranial - contains brain, pituitary gland
 Spinal - nerves, spinal cord

BODY CAVITIES

Ventral Cavities (front of the body):
Thoracic - contains heart, lungs,
esophagus, trachea, bronchial tubes,
thymus, aorta
 Abdominal - stomach, small & large
intestine, spleen, pancreas, liver,
gallbladder
 Pelvic - portion of large & small intestine,
rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, ureters,
uterus, vagina

DIVISIONS OF THE ABDOMEN
RUQ – right
upper quadrant
RLQ – right
lower quadrant
RUQ
RLQ
LUQ
LLQ
LUQ – left upper
quadrant
LLQ – left lower
quadrant
Abdomin/o/pelv/ic area is divided into
four quadrants
 Assessment findings, organs, etc… are
described by the quadrant they are
located in

ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS OF
THE ABDOMINOPELVIC AREA

RUQ - liver, gallbladder,
part of pancreas, part of
small & large intestine

LUQ - liver, stomach,
spleen, part of pancreas,
part of small & large intestine
ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS OF
THE ABDOMINOPELVIC AREA

RLQ - part of small and large intestine,
right ovary & fallopian
tube, right ureter, and
appendix

LLQ - part of small and
large intestine, left ovary & fallopian
tube, left ureter
ABDOMINOPELVIC REGIONS

Named for the PATIENT’s side of
body (i.e. his right or left, NOT
yours)
 Right
hypochondriac
 Epigastric
 Left hypochondriac
 Right lumbar
 Umbilical
 Left lumbar
 Right inguinal
 Hypogastric
 Left inguinal
ABDOMINOPELVIC REGIONS
Right
Hypochondriac
Right
Lumbar
Right
Inguinal
Epigastric
Left
Hypochondriac
Umbilical
Left
Lumbar
Hypogastric
Left
Inguinal
BODY CAVITIES

Divisions of Abdominal cavity

The peritoneum is a membrane
surrounding the organs in the
abdominal cavity.

The retroperitoneal (retro- = behind)
area is behind the peritoneum and
contains the kidneys.
Time to Practice!!!


You will be divided into groups.
In your group, create a fictional medical story
using the following guidelines:
 must use one “plane” of the body



must use four position or directional
terms
must contain two ventral cavity organs
must contain one quadrant and one
abdominopelvic region
Present your story to the class in the form of
a skit. You will have 20 minutes to prepare
your story & skit. Your story must make
sense and contain correct use of the terms.