1. Body Planes, Directions, and Cavities

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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**

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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)

12. Abdominal Regions and Quadrants