REGIONAL TERMS IN ANATOMY

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Mr. Taylor

ANTERIOR BODY LANDMARKS

ABDOMINAL

Anterior body trunk; inferior to the ribs

AXILLARY

Armpit

BUCCAL

Cheek area

CERVICAL

Neck region

FEMORAL

Thigh

NASAL

Nose area

ORBITAL

Eye area

PERONEAL (CRURAL)

Lateral leg

STERNAL

Breastbone area (sternum)

THORACIC

Chest area

ANTECUBITAL

Anterior surface of the elbow

BRACHIAL

Arm

CARPAL

Wrist

DIGITAL

Fingers, toes

INGUINAL

Area where thigh meets body trunk

ORAL

Mouth

PATELLAR

Anterior knee

PUBIC

Genital region

TARSAL

Ankle region

UMBILICAL

Navel

POSTERIOR BODY LANDMARKS

CEPHALIC

Head

GLUTEAL

Buttock

OCCIPITAL

Posterior surface of the head

SCAPULAR

Shoulder blade region (scapula)

VERTEBRAL

Area of the spine

DELTOID

Shoulder curve – large muscle

LUMBAR

Area of back between ribs and hips

POPLITEAL

Posterior knee area

SURAL

Posterior surface of leg; calf

BODY PLANES AND SECTIONS

PLANE=IMAGINARY LINESECTION = CUT

SAGITTAL SECTION

Cut lengthwise dividing into right and

left parts

FRONTAL SECTION

Lengthwise cut divides into anterior

and posterior

CORONAL SECTION

Another name for frontal section

MIDSAGITTAL SECTION

Cut into equal right and left parts

TRANSVERSE SECTION

Horizontal cut into superior and

inferior parts

CROSS SECTION

Same as transverse section

BODY CAVITIES

CRANIAL CAVITY

Space inside the skull for the brain

THORACIC CAVITY

Protects lungs, heart; ribs

ABDOMINAL CAVITY

Stomach, liver, intestines

DORSAL BODY CAVITY

Contains cranial and spinal cavities

ABDOMINOPELVIC CAVITY

Is found inferior to the diaphragm;

contains abdominal and pelvic regions

SPINAL CAVITY

Extends from cranial cavity to the end

of the vertebral column

DIAPHRAGM

Muscle in the thoracic cavity

PELVIC CAVITY

Contains reproductive organs

VENTRAL BODY CAVITY

Contains the chest and abdomen

4 QUADRANTS

RUQ – right upper quadrant

LUQ – left upper quadrant

RLQ – right lower quadrant

LLQ – left lower quadrant

ADDITIONAL REGIONS

ACROMIAL

Lateral shoulder

COXAL

Hip

CALCANEAL

Heel

OCCIPITAL

Posterior surface of the head

OLECRANOL

Posterior surface of the elbow

PLANTAR

Bottom of or underside of foot

SACRAL

Area between the hips; inferior to

lumbar region

OBLIQUE SECTION

Cut at an angle

LONGITUDINAL CUT

Lengthwise or vertical cut