1. Unit 1: Organization of the Body
DLT’s: 8 – 12
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation

2. The Language of Anatomy
To prevent misunderstanding, anatomists use universally accepted terms to identify body structures precisely and with a minimum of words. The language of anatomy is presented and explained here and in chapter 1 of your textbook.

3. DLT 8: I can describe the anatomical position.
Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, thumbs point away from body

4. DLT 9: I can use correct anatomical terms to describe body directions, regions, and body planes or sections.
Directional Terms
Superior and inferior – toward and away from the head, respectively
Anterior and posterior – toward the front and back of the body
Medial, lateral, and intermediate – toward the midline, away from the midline, and between a more medial and lateral structure
Proximal and distal – closer to and farther from the origin of the body part
Superficial and deep – toward and away from the body surface

7. Regional Terms: Anterior View
Nasal (nose)
Oral (mouth)
Cervical (neck)
Frontal (forehead)
Orbital (eye)
Buccal (cheek)
Mental (chin)
(a) Anterior

8. Regional Terms: Anterior View
Nasal (nose)
Oral (mouth)
Cervical (neck)
Acromial
(point of shoulder)
Axillary (armpit)
Brachial (arm)
Antecubital
(front of elbow)
Abdominal
(abdomen)
Pelvic (pelvis)
Antebrachial
(forearm)
Carpal (wrist)
Palmar
(palm)
Pollex
(thumb)
Digital
(fingers)
Mammary
(breast)
Frontal (forehead)
Orbital (eye)
Buccal (cheek)
Sternal
(breastbone)
Thoracic
(chest)
Mental (chin)
Umbilical
(navel)
(a) Anterior

9. Regional Terms: Anterior View
Nasal (nose)
Oral (mouth)
Cervical (neck)
Acromial
(point of shoulder)
Axillary (armpit)
Brachial (arm)
Antecubital
(front of elbow)
Abdominal
(abdomen)
Pelvic (pelvis)
Antebrachial
(forearm)
Carpal (wrist)
Palmar
(palm)
Pollex
(thumb)
Digital
(fingers)
Pubic (genital region)
Patellar
(anterior knee)
Crural (leg)
Tarsal (ankle)
Pedal
(foot)
Digital (toes)
Inguinal
(groin)
Coxal
(hip)
Femoral
(thigh)
Fibular, or
peroneal
(side of leg)
Hallux (great toe)
Mammary
(breast)
Frontal (forehead)
Orbital (eye)
Buccal (cheek)
Sternal
(breastbone)
Thoracic
(chest)
Mental (chin)
Umbilical
(navel)
(a) Anterior

10. Regional Terms: Posterior View
Otic (ear)
Occipital (back of
head or base of skull)
Cephalic
(head)
(b) Posterior

11. Regional Terms: Posterior View
Brachial (arm)
Otic (ear)
Occipital (back of
head or base of skull)
Acromial
(point of shoulder)
Vertebral
(spinal column)
Scapular
(shoulder blade)
Dorsum or dorsal
(back)
Olecranal
(back of elbow)
Lumbar (loin)
Sacral
(between hips)
Manus
(hand)
Upper
extremity
Cephalic
(head)
(b) Posterior

12. Regional Terms: Posterior View
Brachial (arm)
Otic (ear)
Occipital (back of
head or base of skull)
Acromial
(point of shoulder)
Vertebral
(spinal column)
Scapular
(shoulder blade)
Dorsum or dorsal
(back)
Olecranal
(back of elbow)
Lumbar (loin)
Sacral
(between hips)
Gluteal (buttock)
Perineal
(region between
the anus and
external genitalia)
Femoral (thigh)
Popliteal
(back of knee)
Sural (calf)
Calcaneal (heel)
Plantar (sole)
Manus
(hand)
Upper
extremity
Cephalic
(head)
Lower
(b) Posterior

13. Body Planes
Sagittal – divides the body into right and left parts
Midsagittal or medial – sagittal plane that lies on the midline
Frontal or coronal – divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
Transverse or horizontal (cross section) – divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Oblique section – cuts made diagonally

14. Body Planes

15. Anatomical Variability
Humans vary slightly in both external and internal anatomy
Over 90% of all anatomical structures match textbook descriptions, but:
Nerves or blood vessels may be somewhat out of place
Small muscles may be missing
Extreme anatomical variations are seldom seen

16. DLT 10: I can locate and name the major body cavities and their subdivisions, and list the major organs contained within them.
Dorsal cavity protects the nervous system, and is divided into two subdivisions
Cranial cavity – within the skull; encases the brain
Vertebral cavity – runs within the vertebral column; encases the spinal cord
Ventral cavity houses the internal organs (viscera), and is divided into two subdivisions
Thoracic
Abdominopelvic

17. Body Cavities Cranial cavity (contains brain) Thoracic Dorsal body
Diaphragm
Abdominal cavity
(contains digestive
viscera)
Pelvic cavity
(contains bladder,
reproductive organs,
and rectum)
Vertebral cavity
(contains spinal
cord)
Key:
Dorsal body cavity
Ventral body cavity
Thoracic
(contains
heart
and lungs)
(a) Lateral view

18. Body Cavities Ventral body cavity (thoracic and abdomino- pelvic
Superior
mediastinum
Pleural
Cranial
Vertebral
Pericardial
cavity within
the mediastinum
Diaphragm
Abdominal cavity
(contains digestive
viscera)
Pelvic cavity
(contains bladder,
reproductive organs,
and rectum)
Thoracic
(contains
heart
and lungs)
(b) Anterior view
Key:
Dorsal body cavity
Ventral body cavity

19. Body Cavities
Thoracic cavity is subdivided into two pleural cavities, the mediastinum, and the pericardial cavity
Pleural cavities – each houses a lung
Mediastinum – contains the pericardial cavity; surrounds the remaining thoracic organs
Pericardial cavity – encloses the heart

20. It is composed of two subdivisions
Body Cavities
The abdominopelvic cavity is separated from the superior thoracic cavity by the dome-shaped diaphragm
It is composed of two subdivisions
Abdominal cavity – contains the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and other organs
Pelvic cavity – lies within the pelvis and contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

21. DLT 11: I can name the serous membranes and indicate their common function.
Ventral Body Cavity Membranes
Parietal serosa lines internal body walls
Visceral serosa covers the internal organs
Serous fluid separates the serosae

22. Serous Membrane Relationship

23. Heart Serosae

24. Other Body Cavities
Oral and digestive – mouth and cavities of the digestive organs
Nasal –located within and posterior to the nose
Orbital – house the eyes
Middle ear – contains bones (ossicles) that transmit sound vibrations
Synovial – joint cavities

25. Other Body Cavities

26. DLT 12: I can name the nine regions or four quadrants of the abdominopelvic cavity and list the organs they contain.
Abdominopelvic Regions

27. Organs of the Abdominopelvic Regions

28. Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Right upper
Left upper
Right lower
Left lower