Body Organization and Terminology
Background
The major features of the human body include certain cavities, a set of membranes associated with these cavities, and a
group of organ systems composed of related organs. In order to communicate effectively with each other about the
body, scientists have devised names to describe these body features. They also have developed terms to represent the
relative positions of body parts, imaginary planes passing through these parts, and body regions.
Materials Needed
Textbook
Human torso model
Purpose of the Exercise
Review the organizational pattern of the human body, review its
organ systems and the organs included in each system, and become
acquainted with the terms used to describe the relative position of
body parts, body sections, and body regions.
Procedure A – Body Cavities and Membranes
1. Label figures 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3.
2. Locate the following features on the human torso model: dorsal cavity, cranial cavity, spinal cavity, ventral cavity,
thoracic cavity, mediastinum, pleural cavity, pericardial cavity, diaphragm, abdominopelvic cavity, abdominal
cavity, pelvic cavity.
3. Complete Parts A and B of the laboratory report.
Procedure B – Relative Positions, Planes, Sections, and Regions
1. Label figures 2.4 and 2.5.
2. Complete Parts C and D of the laboratory report.
Figure 2.1 Label the major body cavities.
Figure 2.2 Label the major body cavities and organs in this anterior view.
Figure 2.3 Label the thoracic membranes and cavities in (a) and the abdominopelvic membranes and
cavity in (b) as shown in these superior views of transverse sections.
Figure 2.4 Label the planes represented in this illustration.
Figure 2.5 Label (a) the regions and (b) the quadrants of the abdominopelvic area.
Part A
Match the body cavities in column B with the organs contained in the cavities in
column A. Place the letter of your choice in the space provided.
Column A
___ 1. Liver
Column B
a. Cranial cavity
___ 2. Lungs
b. Spinal cavity
___ 3. Spleen
c. Thoracic cavity
___ 4. Stomach
d. Abdominal cavity
___ 5. Brain
e. Pelvic cavity
___ 6. Gallbladder
___ 7. Urinary bladder
___ 8. Spinal cord
___ 9. Rectum
___10. Heart
___11. Esophagus
___12. Trachea
Part B
Complete the following:
1. The membrane on the surface of the lung is called the ____________________.
2. The membrane on the surface of the heart is called the ___________________.
3. The membrane that lines the wall of the abdominopelvic cavity is called the _____________________.
4. The membrane on the surface of the stomach is called the _________________.
5. The thin, watery fluid located between the pleural membranes is called ________________________.
6. Epicardium is another name for ________________________.
7. The region of the thoracic cavity between the two lungs is called the _________________________.
8. The muscular structure that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities is called the
_________________________.
Part C
Indicate whether each of the following sentences makes correct or incorrect usage of the word in boldface
type (assume that the body is in the anatomical position). If the sentence is incorrect, supply a term that
will make it correct in the space provided.
1. The mouth is superior to the nose.
_____________
2. The stomach is inferior to the diaphragm.
_____________
3. The trachea is anterior to the spinal cord.
_____________
4. The larynx is posterior to the esophagus.
_____________
5. The heart is medial to the lungs.
_____________
6. The kidneys are inferior to the adrenal glands.
_____________
7. The hand is proximal to the elbow.
_____________
8. The knee is proximal to the ankle.
_____________
9. Blood in deep blood vessels gives color to the skin.
_____________
10. A peripheral nerve passes from the spinal cord into the limbs.
_____________
11. The spleen and gallbladder are ipsilateral.
_____________
12. The dermis is the superficial layer of the skin.
_____________
Part D
Identify each of the planes and sections represented in figure 2.6.
1. __________________
_______
4. _____
____________________
2. __________________
_______
5. ________
3. ________________
_________
6. ____________
_________________
_____________
Posterior
Anterior
Critical Thinking Application
State the quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity where the pain or sound would be located for each of the
six common conditions listed. In some cases, there may be more than one correct answer and pain is
sometimes referred to another region. This phenomenon, called referred pain, occurs when pain is
interpreted as originating from some area other than the parts being stimulated.
1. Stomach ulcer
_______________
2. Appendicitis
_______________
3. Bowel sounds
_______________
4. Gallbladder attack
_______________
5. Kidney stone in left ureter
_______________
6. Ruptured spleen
_______________