Anatomical Regions Overview

Overview

This lecture introduces the basic anatomical regions of the human body, provides memory tricks for learning their names, and defines each key term for students beginning anatomy.

Head and Neck Regions

• Cranial region is the top part of the skull.
• Occipital region is the back of the skull.
• Buccal regions refer to the cheeks.
• Oral region relates to the mouth.
• Otic region is the ear area.
• Orbital or ocular region is around the eyes.
• Nasal region is the nose.
• Frontal region is the forehead.
• Cervical region is the neck.

Trunk and Thorax Regions

• Thoracic region is the upper chest and upper back, including the 12 upper vertebrae.
• Scapular region refers to the shoulder blade.
• Dorsal region is the upper back between the shoulder blades.
• Costal region covers the ribcage.
• Sternal region is the center of the chest (breastbone).
• Pectoral and mammary regions refer to the chest or breast area.
• Axillary region is the armpit.
• Abdominal region is the area between the thorax and waist.
• Lumbar region is the lower back.
• Gluteal region refers to the buttocks.

Arm and Hand Regions

• Brachial region is the upper arm.
• Antebrachial region is the forearm.
• Cubital region refers to the elbow.
• Antecubital region is the inside of the elbow.
• Carpal region is the wrist and proximal hand.
• Pollex is the thumb.
• Digital region refers to the fingers.

Leg and Foot Regions

• Femoral region is the thigh.
• Patellar region is the front of the knee.
• Popliteal region is the back of the knee.
• Crural region refers to the shin.
• Sural region is the calf.
• Tarsal region is the top of the foot near the ankle.
• Pedal region is the entire foot.
• Hallux is the big toe.
• Plantar region is the sole or bottom of the foot.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Cranial — top of the skull.
• Occipital — back of the skull.
• Buccal — cheeks.
• Oral — mouth area.
• Otic — ear region.
• Orbital/Ocular — eye region.
• Nasal — nose area.
• Frontal — forehead.
• Cervical — neck area.
• Thoracic — upper chest/back.
• Scapular — shoulder blade.
• Dorsal — upper back.
• Costal — ribcage area.
• Sternal — breastbone.
• Pectoral/Mammary — chest or breast.
• Axillary — armpit.
• Abdominal — between chest and waist.
• Lumbar — lower back.
• Gluteal — buttocks.
• Brachial — upper arm.
• Antebrachial — forearm.
• Cubital — elbow region.
• Antecubital — inner elbow.
• Carpal — wrist.
• Pollex — thumb.
• Digital — fingers/toes.
• Femoral — thigh.
• Patellar — front of knee.
• Popliteal — back of knee.
• Crural — shin.
• Sural — calf.
• Tarsal — top of foot/ankle.
• Pedal — foot.
• Hallux — big toe.
• Plantar — sole of foot.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the anatomical region names and memorize their locations.
• Complete the linked Google slideshow quiz for practice.
• Watch the recommended video on anatomical directional terms.