The Major Anatomical Regions, Directions and Cavities of the Human Body
The Major Anatomical Regions, Directions and Cavities of the Human Body
Many terms are used to describe the human body and its various positions when being observed, studied or referred to in any medical discussion. Using these terms makes it easier to explain the different parts of the body and where they are located. When using these terms we are assuming the body is in a position called the anatomical position. The anatomical position refers to the body being in a standing position with the arms at the sides with the palms, feet and head facing forward. The two other positions also used as reference are supine position and prone position. Supine position refers to the body lying face upward while the prone position refers to the body laying face downward. Using the anatomical position as a reference it helps define and give meaning to the different directional terms that are used to describe the body parts and their position in or on the body.
To help explain the position of organs and body parts to different organs and body parts we use anatomical directions. There are ten different anatomical directions when referring to the placement of body parts. The first two directions are Superior which means towards the head or upper and inferior which means towards the feet or lower. An example when referring to the position of body parts would be, the stomach is inferior to the heart or the hear is superior to the stomach. To describe a body part that is toward the front of another part is Anterior while posterior describes a part that would be toward the back. An example would be your lungs are anterior to your spine or your spine is posterior to your lungs. Medial and lateral are used to describe body parts that are near or away from the midline or middle of the body. For example the big toe would be on the lateral side while the little toe would be on the medial side. Proximal and distal help describe the location of a body part that is nearest or farthest
Many terms are used to describe the human body and its various positions when being observed, studied or referred to in any medical discussion. Using these terms makes it easier to explain the different parts of the body and where they are located. When using these terms we are assuming the body is in a position called the anatomical position. The anatomical position refers to the body being in a standing position with the arms at the sides with the palms, feet and head facing forward. The two other positions also used as reference are supine position and prone position. Supine position refers to the body lying face upward while the prone position refers to the body laying face downward. Using the anatomical position as a reference it helps define and give meaning to the different directional terms that are used to describe the body parts and their position in or on the body.
To help explain the position of organs and body parts to different organs and body parts we use anatomical directions. There are ten different anatomical directions when referring to the placement of body parts. The first two directions are Superior which means towards the head or upper and inferior which means towards the feet or lower. An example when referring to the position of body parts would be, the stomach is inferior to the heart or the hear is superior to the stomach. To describe a body part that is toward the front of another part is Anterior while posterior describes a part that would be toward the back. An example would be your lungs are anterior to your spine or your spine is posterior to your lungs. Medial and lateral are used to describe body parts that are near or away from the midline or middle of the body. For example the big toe would be on the lateral side while the little toe would be on the medial side. Proximal and distal help describe the location of a body part that is nearest or farthest
References: Gary A. Thibodeau, K. T. (2008). Structure & Function of the Body. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier. Harris, C. L. (2011). Body Cavities. Retrieved February 5, 2011, from biologyreference.com: http://www.biologyreference.com/Bl-Ce/Body-Cavities.html