Body Planes,

Directions
H/S 72
 Objectives
1. Label a diagram of the three planes of the
body with the names of the planes and the
directional terms created by these planes
2. Label a diagram of the main body cavities
3. Identify the main organs located in each
body cavity
4. Locate the nine abdominal regions
 Body Planes
Imaginary lines drawn through
the body at various parts to
separate the body into sections.

Directional terms are created by

these planes
 Transverse plane
a. One of three main planes
b. Horizontal plan
c. Divides body into to and bottom half
d. Superior: body parts above other parts
e. Inferior: body parts below other parts
a. Ex: knee is superior to ankle but inferior to
hip
Cranial: body parts located near the
head

Caudal: body parts located near the

sacral region of the spinal column, or
“tail”
 Midsagittal or medial plane
Second plane of the body
Divides body into right and left sides

Medial: body parts close to midline or

plane
Lateral: body parts away from the midline
or plane
 Frontal or coronal plane

Third plane of the body

Divides body into front and back section

Ventral or anterior: body parts in front of

the plane or on the front of the body.
Dorsal or posterior: body parts on the back
of the body or in back of the plane
 Proximal and distal
Two other directional terms

Used to describe the relationship of, for

instance, the extremities (arms and legs)
To the main trunk of the body, generally
called the point of reference
Proximal: body parts close to the point
of reference

Distal: body parts away from the point

of reference

Ex: wrist is distal and elbow is proximal

to the shoulder or point of reference
 Body Cavities

Spaces within the body

that contain vital organs
 Dorsal or posterior cavity

a. One of two main body

cavities
b. One long continuous cavity
on back of the body
 Divided into 2 sections
• 1.Cranial cavity: contains the
brain

• 2. Spinal cavity: contains the

spinal cord
 Ventral or anterior cavities
Second main body cavity

Larger than dorsal cavities

Separated into two distinct cavities
by diaphragm( dome-shaped
muscle)
 Thoracic cavity

1. Located in chest

2. Contains esophagus, trachea,

bronchi, lungs, heart, and the
large blood vessels
 Abdominal cavity
1. Divided into upper and lower part
2. Upper abdominal cavity: stomach,
small intestines, most of large
intestine, appendix, liver,
gallbladder, pancreas and spleen
3. Lower abdominal cavity or
pelvic cavity:
Contains urinary bladder,
reproductive organs, and last
part of large intestine
 Three small cavities

1. Orbital for the eyes

2. Nasal for the nose structures
3. Buccal or mouth cavity for
teeth and tongue
 Abdominal regions
1. Abdominal cavity separated into regions
or sections because it is so large
2. Quadrants
1. One method of division
2. Created right upper quadrant (RUQ), left
upper quadrant (LUQ), right lower
quadrant (RLQ), and left lower quadrant
(LLQ)
 Regions
a. Epigastric: upper center region
above the stomach
b. Umbilical: middle center region by
umbilicus
c. Hypogastric or pelvic: lower center
region
 Regions cont.
d. Hypochondriac: on either side
below the ribs
e. Lumbar: on either side by large
bones of spinal cord
f. Iliac or inguinal: on either side by
the groin