Body Organization: directional terms, regions,

sections, planes, and cavitiesAugust 12-13 2015

The picture shows a body in anatomical position.

The person is upright, with arms down and palms to the front.

Anatomical Position

All directional terms reference position with regards to anatomical position … even if the body in question is in a different position.

Example: The head is superior (above) to the feet, whether you are standing up, laying down, or doing a handstand.

Anatomical Position

Important terms not shown on the diagram:

Deep – more internalSuperficial – toward /

at body surface

Directional Terms Terms and use explained on page 12 of textbook!

Terms are used to describe relative position.

Example: the ribs are anterior to the spine

Using your guided notes, answer the following

1. The knee is _____________________ to the hip bones.

2. The ears are _________________________ to the nose.

3. The elbow is on the _________________side of the arm.

4. Your naval is _______________________ to your arms.

5. Your thumbs are always _____________ to your

fingers.

6. Your heart is _________________________ to your ribs.

7. Your shoulders are ________________ to your elbows._

Directional Term Practice 1

inferior / distal

lateral

posterior / dorsal

medial

lateral

deep

superior / proximal

Directional Term Practice 2Name a structure that is …

… medial to your eye… lateral to your heart…. distal to your wrist… proximal to your elbow… on the posterior side of the hand…on the anterior side of the body… superficial to the ribs

Regional TermsThe body can be divided into two main regions:Axial part – the main axis of our body

Head, neck, trunkAppendicular part – the appendages

arms, legs

Regional TermsThe body can be divided into two main regions:Axial part – the main axis of our body

Head, neck, trunkAppendicular part – the appendages

arms, legs

Your femur is on what part of the body?

Your sternum is on what part of the body?

Regional TermsThe body can be divided into two main regions:Axial part – the main axis of our body

Head, neck, trunkAppendicular part – the appendages

arms, legs

Your femur is on what part of the body? appendicular

Your sternum is on what part of the body? axial

Body Planes and SectionsThe body may be sectioned (cut) along a flat surface called a plane.

The three most common planes are:• Sagittal (Median) plane (cuts body into left & right)• Frontal (coronal) plane (cuts body into front & back)• Transverse plane (cross section) (cuts body into superior & inferior parts)

Body Planes and SectionsThe body may be sectioned (cut) along a flat surface called a plane.

Misconception alert! Planes do not have to be in the middleof the body to go by these names.

Body Planes and SectionsWhich plane could be used to separate the hemispheres of the brain?sagittalWhich plane could be used to separatethe top and bottom of the kidney?transverseWhich plane could be used to separate tThe anterior and posterior parts of thebody?frontal

Body Cavities

Body CavitiesIn which cavity are the following organs are found:Name both the major and minor divisions.

Spinal cordLungsBrain LiverBladderSmall intestine

Dorsal, vertebral

Ventral, thoracic

Dorsal, cranial

Ventral, abdominal

Ventral, pelvic

Ventral, abdominal

Practice!Study the direction, regional, sectional, and cavity terms with a partner for 5 minutes.

Then, we will play a game.

Game (Round 1)Get a partner and 8 small pieces of tape, and label 1-8.Place the tape on your partner’s body to match the words.First one wins!

Game (Round 1)1. Lateral to the heart2. Proximal to the knee3. Inferior to the neck4. On the anterior side of the body5. Distal to the elbow6. Posterior side of the hand7. On the axial body8. On the appendicular body

Game (Round 2) – switch

Game (Round 2) – switch 1. Inferior to the heart2. Distal to the knee3. On the posterior side of the neck4. On the appendicular body5. On the axial body6. Medial to the lungs7. Superior to the waist8. On the anterior side of the arm

Game (Round 3) – Row TeamsWrite on paper..

1. 2. 3.

Game (Round 3) – Row TeamsWrite on paper. Identify the sectional cuts.

1. 2. 3.

Game (Round 3) – Row TeamsWrite on paper. Identify the sectional cuts.

1. 2. 3.

Gamble your points: Choose silver or gold

Game (Round 4) – Row TeamsWrite on paper.

Game (Round 4) – Row TeamsWrite on paper. Identify the body cavities. Use minor classification (not ventral / dorsal).1. Where the spinal cord is2. Where the lungs are3. Where the stomach is4. Where the ovaries are5. Where the kidneys are6. Where the brain is

Game (Round 4) – Row TeamsWrite on paper. Identify the body cavities. Use minor classification (not ventral / dorsal).1. Where the spinal cord is2. Where the lungs are3. Where the stomach is4. Where the ovaries are5. Where the kidneys are6. Where the brain isGamble your points: Choose white, blue, yellow, or silver

HomeworkQuiz next class

What were our objectives and how did we meet them?

How did we address our unit statement?What was our learner profile trait and how

did we demonstrate it?

Closure