2. 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
3. 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
4. Body Planes:
• Definition = imaginary lines drawn
through the body to separate the body
into sections
5. Transverse Plane:
Horizontal plane dividing the body into
a top and bottom half
1. Superior = body parts above other
parts
2. Inferior = body parts below other
parts
6. 3. Cranial = body parts near the head
4. Caudal = body parts located near
the sacral region of the spinal column
(or near the tail bone)
7. Median Plane:
Divides the body into right and left sides
1. Medial = body parts located near the
middle or midline of the body
2. Lateral = body parts located away
from the midline or middle of the body
8. Frontal Plane:
Divides the body into front and back
section.
1. Anterior = body parts on the front
of the body
2. Posterior = body parts on the back
of the body
9. • Proximal = body parts close to the
point of reference
• Distal = body parts away from the
point of reference
11. Posterior Cavity:
One long continuous cavity that is
located on the back of the body,
divided into two sections
1. Cranial Cavity = contains the brain
2. Spinal Cavity = contains the spinal
cord
12. 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
13. 2. Abdominal Cavity = divided into
upper and lower parts
Upper part contains the stomach, small
intestines, most of the large intestines,
liver, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen
3. Pelvic Cavity = lower abdominal
cavity containing urinary bladder, the
reproductive organs, and last part of
the large intestines
