Medical Terminology A Review of the Human Body

The Anatomical Position • - erect standing position - feet slightly separated - arms hanging relaxed at the sides - palms of hands facing forward

Anatomical Planes • FRONTAL (or coronal) separates the body into Anterior and Posterior parts • MIDSAGITTAL (or median sagittal) separates body into equal Right and Left parts • TRANSVERSE separates the body into Superior and Inferior parts • SAGITTAL any plane dividing the body into a left side and right side

Body Directions • Medial means closer to the midline or middle. • Lateral means further from the midline or toward the side.

• Anterior (Ventral) -at or toward the front • Posterior (Dorsal) - at or toward the back • Superior – above • Inferior – below • Proximal – nearer to the point of attachment (the trunk) • Distal – farther from the point of attachment

• Cephalic or cranial – toward the head • Caudal – toward the lower end of the spine or buttocks

Body Cavities – dorsal body cavity – ventral body cavity – abdominal cavity – digestive organs – pelvic cavity – reproductive and urinary organs Spinal cavity Thoraci c cavity Diaphrag m Abdomin al cavity Ventral cavity • thoracic cavity – heart and lungs • abdominopelvic cavity Dorsal cavity • cranial cavity – protects the brain • Spinal cavity – spinal cord Crani al cavity Pelvic cavity

Divisions of the Abdomen

Regions • Right and Left hypochondriac regions are below the ribs. • Epigastric region is upon or above the stomach • Right and left lumbar regions Lumbar refers to the inward curve of the spine. • Umbilical region (umbilic means naval and al means pertaining to. • Right and left iliac regions refer to the hipbone area. • Hypogastric region is below the stomach. The entire lower region of the abdomen is also referred to as the groin or inguinal area.

Peritoneum • The peritoneum is the membrane that protects and supports the organs in the abdominal cavity. • MED TERM ALERT ! -periton means peritoneum -retro means behind or backward Retroperitoneal means pertaining to behind the periotoneum.

Don’t forget • lapar/o means abdomen