Medical Terminology
A Review of the Human Body
The Anatomical Position
• - erect standing
position
- feet slightly
separated
- arms hanging
relaxed at
the sides
- palms of
hands
facing
forward
Anatomical Planes
• FRONTAL (or coronal)
separates the body into
Anterior and Posterior
parts
• MIDSAGITTAL (or
median sagittal)
separates body into equal
Right and Left parts
• TRANSVERSE separates
the body into Superior
and Inferior parts
• SAGITTAL any plane
dividing the body into a
left side and right side
Body Directions
• Medial means
closer to the
midline or middle.
• Lateral means
further from the
midline or toward
the side.
• Anterior (Ventral) -at or
toward the front
• Posterior (Dorsal) - at or
toward the back
• Superior – above
• Inferior – below
• Proximal – nearer to the
point of attachment (the
trunk)
• Distal – farther from the
point of attachment
• Cephalic or
cranial – toward
the head
• Caudal – toward
the lower end of
the spine or
buttocks
Body Cavities
– dorsal body cavity
• cranial cavity – protects
the brain
• Spinal cavity – spinal
cord
Cranial
cavity
Thoracic
cavity
– ventral body cavity
– abdominal cavity –
digestive organs
– pelvic cavity –
reproductive and
urinary organs
Diaphragm
Spinal
cavity
Abdominal
cavity
Pelvic cavity
Ventral cavity
• thoracic cavity – heart
and lungs
• abdominopelvic cavity
Divisions of the Abdomen
Regions
• Right and Left
hypochondriac regions are
below the ribs.
• Epigastric region is upon or
above the stomach
• Right and left lumbar
regions. Lumbar refers to the
inward curve of the spine.
• Umbilical region. (umbilic
means naval and al means
pertaining to.
• Right and left iliac regions
refer to the hipbone area.
• Hypogastric region is below
the stomach. The entire lower
region of the abdomen is also
referred to as the groin or
inguinal area.
Peritoneum
• The peritoneum is the
membrane that
protects and supports
the organs in the
abdominal cavity.
• MED TERM ALERT !
-periton means
peritoneum
-retro means behind
or backward
Retroperitoneal means
pertaining to behind
the periotoneum.
Don’t forget
• lapar/o means abdomen