1. The Human Body: Anatomical Regions, Directions, and Body Cavities
Mrs. Rich, RN, BSN

2. Bell Work
Define the body directions in your own words. Use phone/ipad to help you
Superior
inferior
Anterior
posterior
Medial
lateral
Proximal
Distal
Caudal
Cranial

3. At the conclusion of this lesson I CAN:
Model the anatomical position
Differentiate between various directional terms and model their position
Identify the body cavity to which various organs are located

4. Anatomical Position Body erect Feet slightly apart
Palms facing forward
Thumbs point away from body
Figure 1.7a

5. Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body
Proximal
Toward a reference point (extremity)
Distal
Away from a reference point (extremity)
Inferior
Lower or below
Superior
Upper or above
Cephalad or Cranial
Head
Caudal or Caudad
Tail, tail end
Anterior
Toward the front
Posterior
Toward the back
Dorsal
Ventral

6. Directional Terms
Table 1.1

7. Directional Terms
Table 1.1

9. Body Planes Sagittal – divides the body into right and left parts
Frontal or coronal – divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
Transverse or horizontal (cross section) – divides the body into superior and inferior parts

11. Body Planes and Sections
The body may be sectioned (cut) along a flat surface called a plane.
The three most common planes are:
Sagittal (Median) plane
(cuts body into left & right)
Frontal (coronal) plane
(cuts body into front & back)
Transverse plane (cross section)
(cuts body into superior &
inferior parts)
Sagittal – think twins

12. Body Planes and Sections
Which plane could be used to separate the hemispheres of the brain? the top and bottom of the kidney? Which plane could be used to separate the anterior and posterior parts of the body?
Use full sentences

13. Body Planes and Sections
Which plane could be used to separate the hemispheres of the brain? sagittal the top and bottom of the kidney? transverse The anterior and posterior parts of the body? frontal
Use full sentences