Anatomical Directions and Major Body Regions

Anatomical Position and Bilateral Symmetry In the anatomical position, the body is in an erect, or standing, posture with the arms at the sides and palms forward. The head and feet are also pointing forward. Bilateral Symmetry – the left and right sides are mirror images of each other, and only one plane can divide the body into left and right sides.

Anatomical Position and Bilateral Symmetry Ipsilateral – on the same side Contralateral – on the opposite side

Major Body Cavities Dorsal Body Cavity Ventral Body Cavity Cranial cavity Spinal cavity Ventral Body Cavity Thoracic cavity Abdominopelvic cavity

Body Regions Axial – consists of the head, neck and torso Appendicular – consists of the upper and lower extremities and their connections to the axial portion

Directional Terms Superior – toward the head Inferior – toward the feet Anterior – front or in front of Posterior – back or in back of Ventral – toward the belly Dorsal – toward the back

Medial – toward the midline of the body Lateral – toward the side of the body, or away from its midline Proximal – toward the nearest the trunk of the body, or nearest point of origin Distal – away from or farthest from the trunk or point of origin of a body part Superficial – nearer the surface Deep – farther away from the body surface

Body Planes Sagittal – A lengthwise plane running from front to back that divides the body into right and left sides. Coronal – A lengthwise plane running from side to side. Divides the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior. Also called a frontal plane. Transverse – A crosswise plane; divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts. Also called a horizontal plane.