Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Objectives:
 Describe the locations of the major Body Cavities
 Name the major organ systems, functions and list organs associated with each
 Properly use the terms that describe relative positions, body sections/planes, and
body regions
Body Cavities
1. Two portions that the human body can be divided into:
Axial: Head, neck and trunk
Appendicular: Legs, arms and girdles associated with each
2. The two major cavities are:
Dorsal cavity
Ventral cavity
Concept Map of the Body Cavities
Dorsal
Ventral
Cranial
Thoracic Cavity
Spinal
Abdominopelvic
Cavity
Abdominal Cavity
Pelvic Cavity
Stomach
Large intestines
Liver
Urinary Bladder
Spleen
Internal Reproductive
Gallbladder
Small and Lg intestines
1
Membranes of the Body
A. Plueral Membranes
a. Parietal pleura: lines cavity wall
b. Visceral pleura; lines surface of the lungs
B. Pericardial Membranes
a. Parietal pericardium: lines heart cavity
b. Visceral pericardium: lines surface of heart
C. Peritoneal Membranes
a. Parietal peritoneum: lines perianal cavity
b. Visceral peritoneum: lines surface of organs
2
Small Cavities of the Head
Cavity
Oral
Nasal
Orbital
Middle ear
Consists of:
Teeth and tongue
Sinuses and nasal septum
Eyes and eye muscles and nerves
Contains ear bones
Anatomical Terms
What is the basis for the language of direction terms for positions, sections and
regions?
I.
Relative Positions
Term
Meaning
1. Superior
A part above another part
Closer to the head
2. inferior
Toward the tail end, lower most part, a
part below another part
3. Anterior
Toward the front
4 posterior
Toward the back
5 medial
Midline that dives the body into equal left
and right halves
6 Lateral
Toward the side
7 Superficial
Refers to closeness to the surface of the
body (situated near the surface)
Used to describe parts that are more
internal
Used to derive a part that is closer to the
trunk of body or closer to another
specified point of reference
Refers to the relative distance from the
midline or origin of a structure
The anterior surface of the forearm
Sole of the foot
8
Deep
9
Proximal
10 distal
11 palmer
12 plantar
Example
Thoracic cavity is superior to
the abdominoplevic cavity
The neck is inferior to the
head
Ribs are anterior to the
lungs
The pharynx is posterior to
the oral cavity.
The umbilicus is medial in
position or the nose is medial
to the eyes
The arms are lateral to the
trunk
Epidermis is the superficial
layer of the skin
The dermis is the deep layer
of the skin
The elbow is proximal to the
wrist
The fingers are distal to the
wrist
3
II.
Body Sections
1. Sagittal/midsaggital:
a. Divides body into right and
left parts
2. Transverse/horizontal:
a. Divides the body into superior
and interior portions (upper
and lower)
3. Coronal/Frontal:
a. Divides the body into anterior
and posterior portions
III.
Body Regions (abdominal area)
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