BODY PLANES AND CAVITIES

MRS. MESMERHSTE I

Body planes are imaginary linesdrawn through the body to separateit into sections

This allows for directional terms tobe used when diagnosing problemor referring to a specific part in thebody

Physicians and Medical Personaluse these terms to better communicate.It is important for the documentation of medical information so that when it is being reviewed by other medical professionals the exact location and position of certain problems will be understood without error.

We will start with looking atthe major planes used to divide thetotal body:

1. Coronal or Frontal Plane

2. Midsaggital Plane

3. Transverse Plane

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)A verticle plane running from side to side; divides the body and its parts into anterior and posterior portions.

MidSagittal Plane A verticle plane running from front to back; divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sides.

Transverse Plane (Axial Plane_A horizontal plane; divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts.

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The Transverse Plane Divides body into a top and bottom

• Superior (Top)• Cranial (body parts near the head)

• Inferior (bottom) • Caudal (body parts near the sacral “tail”)

Superior Cranial

Inferior Caudal

Midsaggital Plane: Divides body into right and left sides

Medial: parts that are close to the midline or planeLateral: parts that are away from the midline or plane

Lateral Medial

This cut is a lateral tear, because it is being torn away from the midline

Frontal Plane: Divides the body into front and back

Ventral or Anterior:body parts in front of the planeor on the front of the body

Dorsal or Posterior: body parts in back of the plane or on the back of the body

PROXIMAL AND DISTAL: used to describe the relationship of and extremity to the main trunk of the body, generallycalled a point of reference ..for example see below:

Looking at the shoulder…..

This area isProximal to theshoulder: it iscloser

This area isDistal to theshoulder, itis away from the point ofreference

Lets look at all theplanes and referencepoints we have covered so far…..

Now we will move on to BODYCAVITIESThey are defined as spaces within the body that contain vital organsWe will look at these:•Dorsal/Posterior•Cranial•Spinal•Ventral/Anterior•Thoracic•Abdominal•Pelvic•Orbital•Nasal•Buccal

Dorsal cavityThe smaller of the two main cavities is called the dorsal cavity. As its name implies, it contains organs lying more posterior in the body. The dorsal cavity is divided into two portions.•(Cranial Cavity), The upper portion, which houses the brain•(Spinal Cavity) The lower portion, The vertebral canal whichhouses the spinal cord

Thoracic cavity

The upper ventral, thoracic, or chest cavity contains the heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, large blood vessels, and nerves. Diaphragm:Separates the thoracic and the abdominal cavity

Diaphragm

Abdominal and pelvic cavity

The lower part of the ventral (abdominopelvic) cavity can be further divided into two portions: abdominal portion and pelvic portion. The abdominal cavity upper: stomach, small intestines, most of large intestine, appendix, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys. The pelvic cavity lower: contains most of the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, last part of the large intestine

Orbital Cavity Nasal CavityOrbits for the eyes For the nose structures

Cranial CavityHouses the Brain

Buccal Cavity

Mouth cavity for the teeth and tongue