Body Planes, Directions, and Cavities

Body Planes Imaginary lines drawn through the body to separate the body into sections

Transverse Plane A horizontal plane dividing the body into a top and bottom half Superior = body parts above others Inferior = body parts below others

Median/(Mid)Sagittal Plane Divides the body into right and left sides Medial = body parts located near the middle/midline of the body Lateral = body parts located away from the middle/midline of the body

Frontal/Coronal Plane Divides the body into front and back sections Anterior (Ventral) = body parts on the front of the body Posterior (Dorsal) = body parts on the back of the body

Additional Directional Terms: Superficial = towards the surface Deep = internal Proximal = body parts closer to the point of reference (where the limb joins the body) Distal = body parts farther from the point of reference (where the limb joins the body) **Proximal and distal are only used when referring to the limbs**

Body Cavities Spaces within the body which contain vital organs Dorsal Body Cavity Cranial cavity Spinal cavity Ventral Body Cavity Thoracic cavity Diaphragm—dome-shaped muscle that aids in breathing and separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities Abdominopelvic cavity

Dorsal Body Cavity Cranial Cavity Spinal Cavity Contains the brain Contains the spinal cord

Ventral Body Cavity Thoracic Cavity Pleural cavity = contains the lungs Pericardial cavity = contains the heart Mediastinum = central region that separates the lungs sits between the sternum and the vertebral column

Ventral Body Cavity (ctd.) Abdominopelvic cavity Abdominal cavity = upper part; contains the stomach, small intestines, most of the large intestines (except colon and rectum), liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen Pelvic cavity = lower part; contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and the last part of the large intestine (colon and rectum)

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants