Body Planes, Directions, and Cavities

JAMES VALLEY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL CENTER

Objectives

• Label a diagram of the three planes of the body with the names of the planes and the directional terms created by these planes

• Label a diagram of the main body cavities

Objectives Cont….• Identify the main organs located in

each body cavity• Locate the four quadrants and the nine

abdominal regions• Define, pronounce, and spell all of the

key terms

Body Planes:

• Definition = imaginary lines drawn through the body to separate the body into sections

Transverse Plane:

Horizontal plane dividing the body into a top and bottom half1. Superior = body parts above other parts2. Inferior = body parts below other parts

3. Cranial = body parts near the head4. Caudal = body parts located near the sacral region of the spinal column (or near the tail bone)

Median Plane:

Divides the body into right and left sides1. Medial = body parts located near the middle or midline of the body2. Lateral = body parts located away from the midline or middle of the body

Frontal Plane:

Divides the body into front and back section.1. Anterior = body parts on the front of the body2. Posterior = body parts on the back of the body

• Proximal = body parts close to the point of reference

• Distal = body parts away from the point of reference

Body Cavities:

Spaces within the body which contain vital organs

Posterior Cavity:One long continuous cavity that is

located on the back of the body, divided into two sections

1. Cranial Cavity = contains the brain2. Spinal Cavity = contains the spinal cord

Anterior Cavities:

Larger and separated into two distinct cavities by a dome-shaped muscle called the diaphragm, which is important for breathing

1. Thoracic Cavity = located in the chest, contains the heart, lungs, and the large blood vessels

2. Abdominal Cavity = divided into upper and lower partsUpper part contains the stomach, small intestines, most of the large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen3. Pelvic Cavity = lower abdominal cavity containing urinary bladder, the reproductive organs, and last part of the large intestines

Abdominal Regions: Quadrants

1. Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)2. Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)3. Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)4. Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Abdominal Regions:

• Epigastric• Umbilical• Pelvic• Hypochondriac• Lateral• Inguinal