Laboratory - Body Regions, Directional Terms, and Body Cavities

Body Regions

Cephalic region - head

Cervical region - neck

Deltoid region - shoulder

Thoracic region – upper trunk

Sternal region – sternum (breast bone)

Pectoral region - chest

Axillary region - armpit

Scapular region – shoulder blades

Vertebral region – spinal column

Abdominal region – lower trunk

Umbilical region – around navel (belly button)

Lumbar region – lower lateral back

Pelvic region -

Gluteal region - butt

Sacral region - lower medial back

Femoral region - thigh

Directional Terms

Anterior - toward front of body

Posterior - toward back of body

Superior - toward top of body

Inferior - toward bottom of body

Dorsal - toward back or top of body

Ventral - toward front or bottom of body

Medial - toward center of body

Lateral - toward sides of body

Distal - toward end of limb

Proximal - toward beginning of limb

Body Cavities

Dorsal Body Cavity

Cranial cavity - space in skull for brain

Vertebral foramen - space in vertebral column for spinal cord

Ventral Body Cavity

Thoracic cavity

Pleural cavities - spaces for lungs

Pericardial cavity - space for heart

Abdominal cavity

Contains Liver, Stomach, Small Intestines, Large Intestines

Retroperitoneal cavity

Contains Kidneys, Spleen and Pancreas

Pelvic cavity

Contains Bladder, Rectum, Reproductive organs

© David G. Ward, Ph.D.  Last modified by wardd 23 May, 2006