1. Positional and Directional Terms

2. DEFINITIONS
Anatomy – the study of the structures of the body (ex.- names of bones)
Physiology – the study of the functions of these structures (ex.- role of bones in the musculoskeletal system)

3. ANATOMICAL POSITION
ALL descriptions of the body are based on anatomical position. When referring to anatomical position, that means the person is:
Standing
Facing toward you
Arms at their sides
Palms toward you

4. PLANES OF THE BODY
Midsagittal (lateral) – lengthwise plane that divides the body into
equal right and left sides
Sagittal (lateral) – divides the body into unequal right and left sides

5. PLANES OF THE BODY
Frontal (coronal) - plane that divides the body into front
and back portions
Transverse (horizontal) - plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions

6. POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMS Please turn to page 22, Table 2.1
Ventral – front or belly side
Anterior – situated in front
Superior – above, toward the head
Cephalic – toward the head
Proximal – near the midline or beginning of a structure
Medial – toward, near the midline

7. POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Dorsal – back of body or organ
Posterior – situated in back
Inferior – below, toward the feet
Caudal – toward lower part of body
Lateral – away from the midline
Distal – farthest from midline or beginning of a structure

8. POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Remember: ALL terms are used in relation to what body part they are being compared to Example: The ankle is ( ) to the knee?

9. BODY CAVITIES
Spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs
Dorsal Cavities (back of the body):
Cranial - contains brain, pituitary gland
Spinal - nerves, spinal cord

10. BODY CAVITIES Ventral Cavities (front of the body):
Thoracic - contains heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea, bronchial tubes, thymus, aorta
Abdominal - stomach, small & large intestine, spleen, pancreas, liver, gallbladder
Pelvic - portion of large & small intestine, rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, uterus, vagina 10

11. DIVISIONS OF THE ABDOMEN
RUQ
LUQ
RLQ
LLQ
RUQ – right upper quadrant
RLQ – right lower quadrant
LUQ – left upper quadrant
LLQ – left lower quadrant
Abdomin/o/pelv/ic area is divided into four quadrants
Assessment findings, organs, etc… are described by the quadrant they are located in

12. ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS OF THE ABDOMINOPELVIC AREA
RUQ - liver, gallbladder,
part of pancreas, part of
small & large intestine
LUQ - liver, stomach,
spleen, part of pancreas,
part of small & large intestine

13. ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS OF THE ABDOMINOPELVIC AREA
RLQ - part of small and large intestine, right ovary & fallopian
tube, right ureter, and
appendix
LLQ - part of small and
large intestine, left ovary & fallopian tube, left ureter 13

14. ABDOMINOPELVIC REGIONS
Named for the PATIENT’s side of body (i.e. his right or left, NOT yours)
Right hypochondriac
Epigastric
Left hypochondriac
Right lumbar
Umbilical
Left lumbar
Right inguinal
Hypogastric
Left inguinal

15. ABDOMINOPELVIC REGIONS
Right Left
Hypochondriac Epigastric Hypochondriac
Right Left
Lumbar Umbilical Lumbar
Inguinal Hypogastric Inguinal

16. BODY CAVITIES Divisions of Abdominal cavity
The peritoneum is a membrane surrounding the organs in the abdominal cavity.
The retroperitoneal (retro- = behind) area is behind the peritoneum and contains the kidneys.

17. Time to Practice!!! You will be divided into groups.
In your group, create a fictional medical story using the following guidelines:
must use one “plane” of the body
must use four position or directional
terms
must contain two ventral cavity organs
must contain one quadrant and one
abdominopelvic region
Present your story to the class in the form of a skit. You will have 20 minutes to prepare your story & skit. Your story must make sense and contain correct use of the terms.