Chapter 1
Applied Learning Outcomes
Directional terms describe:
• the relative location of different
body features
• the ways the body can be
viewed along imaginary lines
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Human Body Orientation
Directional orientation
•explains a particular view of a person
Directional planes
•views of imaginary lines sliced through a
person
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
DIRECTIONAL ORIENTATION
Directional orientation explains a particular
view of a person.
•Medial refers to the middle of the body.
•Lateral refers to the sides of the body.
•Superior, or cephalic, refers to a location near
the head.
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
DIRECTIONAL ORIENTATION
•Inferior, or caudal, refers to a location near
the feet.
•Anterior, or ventral, refers to the front of the
human body.
•Posterior, or dorsal, refers to the back of the
human body.
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Directional planes
Directional planes are views of imaginary
lines sliced through a person.
•A sagittal section slices the body vertically
into left and right sections.
•A midsagittal section slices the body into
equal left and right halves.
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Directional planes
•A frontal, or coronal, section slices the
body vertically into anterior and
posterior sections.
•A transverse section slices the body
horizontally into inferior and superior
sections.
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Human Body Orientation
Flexion: to bend a joint
Extension: to straighten a
joint
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Human Body Orientation
Abduction:
movement of the arm
or leg away from the
midline of the body
Adduction:
movement of the arm
or leg toward the
midline of the body
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Human Body Orientation
Eversion: movement of the
hand or foot so that the
thumb or great toe moves
away from the midline of
the body
Inversion: movement of the
hand or foot so that the
thumb or great toe moves
toward the midline of the
body
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Human Body Orientation
• Antagonistic:
Opposing
movements
Flexion   Extension
Abduction   Adduction
Inversion   Eversion
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Body Regions and Cavities
• Body regions
are divided into
general
locations,
abdominopelvic
regions, and
quadrants
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Body Regions and Cavities
• Abdominopelvic
regions include
nine sections
that divide up
the abdominal
and pelvic
portions of the
body.
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Body Regions and Cavities
• Quadrants section
the abdominal
region into four
portions.
Body Regions and Cavities
• The human body
is naturally divided
into internal
cavities
• The body cavities
contain specific
body structures.
(You will receive a list of
these structures later)
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body
Summary
Directional terms describe
• the relative location of different body features
• the ways the body can be viewed along imaginary lines
Position terms explain
• how a patient should be positioned for a procedure
Movement terms explain
• a person’s ability to move a body structure in a particular
direction in relation to the center of the body
Body region terms
• create a map of the body locations
• describe the location of pain or injury
Body cavity terms
• create a map of the body structures
• help healthcare workers communicate accurately and
effectively
Chapter 1 – Overview of the Body