Directional Terms, Planes and Regions of the Human Body

Front

Contains primarily the major organs of digestion

Back

abdominal cavity

Front

Describes the body standing in the standard position

Back

anatomic position

Front

The study of the structures of the body

Back

anatomy

Front

The front of the body or body part

Back

anterior

Front

Having two sides

Back

bilateral

Front

Imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes

Back

body planes

Front

Toward the lower part of the body

Back

caudal

Front

Toward the head

Back

cephalic

Front

An imaginary plane where the body is cut into front and back portions

Back

coronal plane

Front

Located within the skull, surrounds and protects the brain

Back

cranial cavity