Body Directions

Standard Anatomical Position (SAP)

Standing erect, facing forward, with palms facing forward
View of patients: Left and right (from patient’s perspective)

Body Directions

Directional Terms

• Anterior and posterior

• Medial and lateral

• Superior and inferior

• Superficial and deep

• Proximal and distal

• Ventral and dorsal

• Specific terms (e.g., cranial, caudal)

Body Regions

• Areas of the body that have specific names

  • Abdomen, calf, axillary, cranial, umbilical, thoracic, etc.

• Used as points of reference for anatomy

  • Abdominal Quadrants (Quad = 4)

  • Abdominal Regions (9 regions)

Quadrants

Abdominal Quadrants (Quad = 4)

REMEMBER: We always refer to the pt's left and right!

Regions

Abdominal Regions
(9 regions)

REMEMBER: We always refer to the pt's left and right!

Body Cavities

• Hollow spaces that contain organs and are separated by membranes

• Ventral (front) cavity contains:

  • Thoracic (chest) cavity 

  • Abdominopelvic cavity 

• Dorsal (back) cavity contains:

  • Cranial cavity (brain)

    • Middle ear, orbital, nasal, oral

  • Spinal cavity (spinal cord)

Body Planes

• Provide views of the body as if cut into sections

• Frontal/coronal plane

  • divided into front and back

• Sagittal plane

  • divided into right and left

• Midsagittal plane

  • divided exactly down the middle

• Transverse plane

  • divided into top and bottom

Critical Thinking

Distinguish between body regions, body directions, and body planes. Why are these terms useful in anatomy?

• Body regions: areas of the body with a specific name

• Body directions: describe body parts or their position in reference to standard anatomical position

• Body planes: flat or level surfaces seen by cutting away part of the body through surgery or medical imaging

  • All of these terms serve as reference points so that healthcare workers can discuss anatomy in common, understandable terms