BODY ORGANIZATION, ANATOMICAL TERMS   P. 1
 
 
Learn the definitions and the appropriate use of each term in bold print.
 
A. standard anatomical position--a reference position for describing the location of particular body parts in reference to each other; that is: Always imagine the body as if it were standing, with eyes aimed at the horizon, arms resting at sides with palms forward. This position will be demonstrated by the instructor.
 

B. body cavities--internal chambers bound by body wall components, lined with fibrous or serous membranes and containing the viscera (internal organs) of the body

     1. dorsal cavity--lined with fibrous periosteum (here, a portion of the dura mater),
                                  contains central nervous system
          a. cranial cavity--within skull, contains brain
          b. spinal cavity--within vertebral canal, contains spinal cord
 
     2. ventral cavity--lined with serous membrane, contains respiratory, cardiac,
                                   digestive, urinary, and reproductive viscera
          a. thoracic cavity--within rib cage, floor is diaphragm
             (1) right and left pleural cavities--contain lungs
             (2) pericardial cavity--contains heart
          b. abdominopelvic cavity--occupies much of lower front torso, roof is diaphragm,
                                                   contains many digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs
 
 C. body planes--various angles of intersection through body axis in order to demonstrate
                             internal aspects and relationships of structures composing the body
     1. sagittal plane--parallel to the axis and separates the body into right and left
                                   portions (mid-sagittal plane separates into equal right and left
                                   portions, it is the mid-line of the body)
     2. frontal (coronal) plane--parallel to the axis and separates the body into front and
                                                   back portions
     3. transverse plane--perpendicular to the axis, separates the body into top and bottom
                                        portions
     4. oblique plane--any which intersects the axis at other than a right angle, separating
                                   the body on a diagonal
 
D. Directional terms (terms of reference)
     1. anterior/posterior--front/back (in front of, in back of)
     2. dorsal/ventral--in humans, corresponds to posterior/anterior
                                  (the back is dorsal, or posterior; thefront is ventral, or anterior)
     3. superficial/deep--on the surface/ beneath the surface
     4. superior/inferior--above (toward the head)/ below (toward the feet)
     5. cranial/caudal--in humans, corresponds to superior/inferior, (toward the
                                    head/toward the "tail")
     6. proximal/distal--closer to the attachment/further from the attachment
     7. medial/lateral--toward the midline/toward the sides
     8. parietal/visceral--associated with the body wall/associated with a body organ
                                     (Somatic is another word for association with the body wall.)
 
 E. Regions of abdominal wall--reference sections useful for clinical descriptions
         1. right and left hypochondriac
         2. epigastric
         3. right and left lumbar
         4. umbilical
         5. right and left iliac (inguinal)
         6. hypogastric (pubic)
 

F. Take organs out of the torsos, identify each, and replace each as you describe its
     location.  Get an idea of which organs belong in which cavities, how they are
     positioned relative to each other, and how they compare in size, weight, and shape. 
     Practice using anatomical terms of description as you go through this exercise. Work
     together in groups of 3-5. 

        1.      brain                                               7.  lungs
        2.      heart                                               8.  gallbladder
        3.      stomach                                          9.  pancreas
        4.      small intestine                                  10.  spleen
        5.      large intestine                                  11.  urinary bladder
        6.      liver