1. Body Planes, Directions, Cavities, and Regional Terminology
An Introduction to
Body Planes, Directions, Cavities, and Regional Terminology

2. Introduction
LMAO!
Anatomic reference systems describe the location and functions of body parts. The basic reference systems are:
body planes
body directions
body regions
body cavities

3. Objectives understand the how 3 body planes divide the human body
Be able to use directional terminology in describing different areas of the body
Identify and recognize body regions
Gain a working understanding of body cavities and the organs they house

4. What is a “Plane?”
A “body plane”is an imaginary line drawn through the body which separates it into sections.

5. Body Planes: The Sagittal Plane
-The Sagittal Plane Divides the body into right and left sides

6. Body Planes: The Frontal Plane
The “Frontal Plane” divides the body into front and back section. The frontal plane is sometimes called the “Coronal Plane.”

7. Body Planes: The Transverse Plane
The “transverse Plane” divides the body into sections above and below the midline.

8. The Orange activity
Use a marker to label the top and bottom of your orange.
Draw a line around the orange which represents the transverse plane. Label.
Draw a line around the orange which represents the frontal or coronal plane. Label.
Draw a line around the orange which represents the Sagittal Plane. Label.

9. The Orange activity
Cut the orange in half along the transverse plane. When Finished, use a toothpick to put the orange back together.
Cut the orange in half along coronal plane. When Finished, use toothpicks to put the orange back together.
Cut the orange in half along the Sagittal Plane. When Finished, use toothpicks to put the orange back together.

11. Directional Terminology
1. Anterior = body parts on the front of the body
2. Posterior = body parts on the back of the body
The frontal plane divides the body into “anterior” and “posterior” regions.

12. Directional Terminology
Cranial or Superior = body parts near the head
Caudal or Inferior = body parts located near the sacrum, or tail bone.
Cranial
Caudal

13. Directional Terminology
Medial = body parts located near the middle or midline of the body
2. Lateral = body parts located away from the midline or middle of the body

14. Lateral and Medial
Lateral referrs to

15. Directional Terminology
Proximal = body parts close to the point of reference
Distal = body parts away from the point of reference

17. In Summary…

18. Regions of the Body: The Head
Frontal (forehead)
Temporal (temple)
Orbital (eye)
Nasal (nose)
Buccal (cheek)
Oral (mouth cavity)
Mandibular (lower jaw)
Parietal (top and sides of the head)
Occipital (back of the head)

19. Regions of the Body: The Neck
Anterior Cervical (front of neck)
Lateral Cervical (side of neck)
Supraclavicular (above the clavicle)
Nuchal (back of neck)

20. Regions of the Body: Anterior Torso
Pectoral (anterior of chest)
Abdominal (abdomen)
Pelvic (pelvis)
Pubic (genital region)
Perineal (between pubis and coccyx)

21. Regions of the Body: Posterior Torso
Scapular (shoulder blade)
Vertebral (Spinal Column)
Paraspinal (the side of the spine)
Lumbar (lower back)
Sacral (posterior pelvis)
Coccygeal (tail bone)

22. Regions of the Body: The Upper Limb
Deltoid (shoulder)
Acromial (top of shoulder)
Axillary (armpit)
Brachial (upper arm)
Antecubital (front of elbow)
Antebrachial (forearm)
Carpal (wrist)
Cubital (elbow)
Palmar (palm)
Digital (fingers)

23. Regions of the Body: The Lower Limb
Coxal (hip)
Patellar (knee cap)
Fibular (lateral leg)
Gluteal (buttock)
Femoral (thigh)
Popliteal (back of knee)
Crural (calf)
Tarsal (ankle)
Dorsum (top of the foot)
Plantar (sole)
Digital (toes)

24. Use directional, regional terminology and/or body cavity locations to describe these injuries.
A dislocated spine
A scraped forearm
A stomach ache
A black eye
A stubbed toe
A broken rib
A bruised tailbone

25. Body Cavities: The Dorsal Cavity
-A long continuous cavity that is located on the back (or posterior) of the body, divided into two sections
Cranial Cavity = contains the brain
Spinal Cavity = contains the spinal cord

26. Divisions of the Spinal Cord
Cervical vertebrae: C
Thoracic vertebrae: T
Lumbar vertebrae: L
Sacrum: S

27. Body Cavities: The Anterior
Larger and separated into 2 distinct cavities by a dome-shaped muscle called the diaphragm, which is important for breathing.
Thoracic Cavity = located in the chest, contains the heart, lungs, and the large blood vessels

29. Body Cavities: The Anterior
2. Abdominal Cavity = divided into quadrants…
Upper part contains the stomach, small intestines, most of the large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen
3. Pelvic Cavity = lower abdominal cavity containing urinary bladder, the reproductive organs, and last part of the large intestines

31. Body Cavities: The Anterior

32. Body Cavities: Review

33. Abdominal Regions: Quadrants
1. Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
2. Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
3. Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
4. Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

34. Abdominal Regions: Epigastric Umbilical Pelvic Hypochondriac Lateral
Inguinal

36. Abdominal Regions

37. Practice Quiz: Can YOU Name these Body Cavities?

38. Body Cavities
Cranial
Thoracic
Spinal
Diaphragm
Adbdominal
Pelvic

39. That’s all Folks!