A&P: terminology & body plane

Language of Anatomy
 Special terminology is used to
prevent misunderstanding
 Exact terms are used for
- Position
- Direction
- Regions
- Structures

ANATOMICAL TERMS
 Exist precisely to describe location
of features.

ANATOMICAL POSITION
 standing erect, face forward, upper
limbs at sides, palms forward.

Anatomy- Levels of Study

Eva Marie Gaa, R.N. 1

A&P: terminology & body plane

Body Planes and Sections

1. Sagittal Plane
 A sagittal section divides the body
(or organ) into left and right parts.
 A median, or midsagittal, section
divides the body (or organ) into
equal left and right parts.

4. Oblique Plane

2. Frontal Plane
 A frontal, or coronal, section divides
the body (or organ) into anterior and
posterior parts.

3. Transverse Plane
 A transverse, or cross, section
divides the body (or organ) into
superior and inferior parts.

Eva Marie Gaa, R.N. 2

A&P: terminology & body plane

Nine Regions

Body Cavities

 Dorsal body cavity

- Cranial cavity houses the
brain
- Spinal cavity houses the
spinal cord
 Ventral body cavity
- Thoracic cavity houses
heart, lungs, and others
- Abdominopelvic cavity
houses digestive system
and most urinary system
organs

Eva Marie Gaa, R.N. 3