Positional and Positional and Directional TermsDirectional Terms

DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS Anatomy – the study of the

structures of the body (ex.- names of bones)

Physiology – the study of the functions of these structures (ex.- role of bones in the musculoskeletal system)

ANATOMICAL ANATOMICAL POSITIONPOSITION

ALL descriptions of the body are based on anatomical position. When referring to anatomical position, that means the person is:

1.Standing2.Facing toward you3.Arms at their sides4.Palms toward you

MidsagittalMidsagittal (lateral) – lengthwise plane that divides the body into

equalequal right and left sides

SagittalSagittal (lateral) – divides the body into unequalunequal right and left sides

PLANES OF THE PLANES OF THE BODYBODY

FrontalFrontal (coronal) - plane that divides the body into front and back portions

TransverseTransverse (horizontal) - plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions

PLANES OF THE PLANES OF THE BODYBODY

Ventral – front or belly side Anterior – situated in front

Superior – above, toward the headCephalic – toward the head

Proximal – near the midline or beginning of a structureMedial – toward, near the midline

POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMSTERMS

Please turn to page 22, Table 2.1Please turn to page 22, Table 2.1

Dorsal – back of body or organ Posterior – situated in back

Inferior – below, toward the feet Caudal – toward lower part of body

Lateral – away from the midline Distal – farthest from midline or

beginning of a structure

POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMSTERMS

Remember: Remember: ALLALL terms terms are used in relation to are used in relation to what body part they what body part they

are being compared toare being compared to

Example: The ankle is Example: The ankle is

(( ) to the knee?) to the knee?

POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL POSITIONAL & DIRECTIONAL TERMSTERMS

BODY BODY CAVITIESCAVITIES

Spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs

Dorsal Cavities (back of the body): Cranial - contains brain, pituitary

gland Spinal - nerves, spinal cord

BODY BODY CAVITIESCAVITIES

Ventral Cavities (front of the body): Thoracic - contains heart, lungs,

esophagus, trachea, bronchial tubes, thymus, aorta

Abdominal - stomach, small & large intestine, spleen, pancreas, liver, gallbladder

Pelvic - portion of large & small intestine, rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, uterus, vagina

Abdomin/o/pelv/ic area is divided into four quadrants

Assessment findings, organs, etc… are described by the quadrant they are located in

RUQ LUQ

RLQ LLQ

DIVISIONS OF THE DIVISIONS OF THE ABDOMENABDOMEN

RUQ – right upper quadrant

RLQ – right lower quadrant

LUQ – left upper quadrant

LLQ – left lower quadrant

RUQ - liver, gallbladder, part of pancreas, part ofsmall & large intestine

LUQ - liver, stomach, spleen, part of pancreas, part of small & large intestine

ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS OF THE ABDOMINOPELVIC OF THE ABDOMINOPELVIC

AREAAREA

RLQ - part of small and large intestine, right ovary & fallopian tube, right ureter, and appendix

LLQ - part of small and large intestine, left ovary & fallopian tube, left ureter

ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS ORGANS IN THE QUADRANTS OF THE ABDOMINOPELVIC OF THE ABDOMINOPELVIC

AREAAREA

ABDOMINOPELVIC ABDOMINOPELVIC REGIONSREGIONS Named for the PATIENT’s side

of body (i.e. his right or left, NOT yours)

Right hypochondriacEpigastricLeft hypochondriacRight lumbarUmbilicalLeft lumbarRight inguinalHypogastricLeft inguinal

Right LeftHypochondriac Epigastric

Hypochondriac

Right Left Lumbar Umbilical Lumbar

Right Left Inguinal Hypogastric Inguinal

ABDOMINOPELVIC ABDOMINOPELVIC REGIONSREGIONS

Divisions of Abdominal cavity

The peritoneum is a membrane surrounding the organs in the abdominal cavity.

The retroperitoneal (retro- = behind) area is behind the peritoneum and contains the kidneys.

BODY CAVITIESBODY CAVITIES

Time to Time to Practice!!!Practice!!! You will be divided into groups.

In your group, create a fictional medical story using the following guidelines: must use one “plane” of the body must use four position or directional terms must contain two ventral cavity organs must contain one quadrant and one abdominopelvic region

Present your story to the class in the form Present your story to the class in the form of a skit. You will have 20 minutes to of a skit. You will have 20 minutes to prepare your story & skit. Your story prepare your story & skit. Your story must make sense and contain correct must make sense and contain correct use of the terms.use of the terms.