Lab 1 — Introduction to Anatomical Terms Flashcards

Front

Anterior (Ventral)

Back

Refers to the front surface of the body or a structure nearer to the front. For example, the sternum is anterior to the spine.

Front

Posterior (Dorsal)

Back

Refers to the back surface of the body or a structure nearer to the back. The spine is posterior to the stomach.

Front

Medial

Back

A position closer to the midline of the body. The nose is medial to the ears.

Front

Lateral

Back

A position farther from the midline of the body. The shoulders are lateral to the sternum.

Front

Superior

Back

A position toward the head or upper part of a structure. The lungs are superior to the diaphragm.

Front

Inferior

Back

A position away from the head or toward the feet. The chin is inferior to the nose.

Front

Proximal

Back

Closer to the point of attachment or origin, usually used for limbs. The knee is proximal to the ankle.

Front

Distal

Back

Farther from the point of attachment or origin, usually used for limbs. The wrist is distal to the elbow.

Front

Superficial

Back

Located near or on the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the muscles.

Front

Deep

Back

Located farther from the surface of the body. Muscles are deep to the skin.

Front

Frontal plane

Back

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions. Also called the coronal plane.

Front

Sagittal plane

Back

A vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions; the midsagittal plane divides into equal halves.

Front

Transverse plane

Back

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions. Often used in cross-sectional imaging.

Front

Cranial cavity

Back

The cavity within the skull that houses the brain. It is continuous with the vertebral cavity through the foramen magnum.

Front

Vertebral cavity

Back

The canal formed by the vertebrae that contains the spinal cord. It provides bony protection for neural tissue.

Front

Thoracic cavity

Back

The chest cavity that contains the lungs and heart; subdivided into pleural and pericardial cavities. It is separated from the abdominopelvic cavity by the diaphragm.

Front

Pleural cavity

Back

The potential space between the layers of the pleura surrounding each lung. It contains a thin film of fluid that reduces friction during breathing.

Front

Pericardial cavity

Back

The potential space between the layers of the pericardium surrounding the heart. It cushions the heart and allows smooth movement.

Front

Abdominopelvic cavity

Back

A large cavity that includes the abdominal and pelvic cavities and contains digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs. It lacks a rigid bony protection like the thoracic cage.

Front

Diaphragm

Back

A dome-shaped skeletal muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities. It is the primary muscle of respiration.