Overview
This lecture summarizes the key regional terms in anatomy, focusing on how to identify and remember terms for specific body areas in the axial and appendicular regions.
Major Body Regions
- The body is divided into axial (head, neck, trunk) and appendicular (upper and lower limbs) regions.
- The axial region includes head, neck, and trunk areas.
- The appendicular region includes arms and legs.
Axial Region Terms
- Cephalic region: entire head.
- Cranial: skull area.
- Frontal: forehead.
- Ocular: eyes.
- Otic: ears.
- Nasal: nose.
- Buccal: cheeks.
- Oral: mouth.
- Mental: chin.
- Occipital: back/base of the skull.
- Cervical: neck area.
- Thoracic: chest, between neck and abdomen.
- Axillary: armpit.
- Mammary: breast area.
- Sternal: middle of chest, over the sternum.
- Abdominal: belly area.
- Umbilical: navel/belly button.
- Pelvic: between hip bones.
- Inguinal: groin region.
- Pubic: external genital area.
- Perineal: between genitals and anus.
- Dorsal: back.
- Vertebral: spine.
- Lumbar: lower back.
- Sacral: base of the spine.
- Gluteal: buttocks.
Appendicular Region Terms
Upper Limb
- Acromial: tip of the shoulder.
- Brachial: upper arm.
- Antecubital: front of the elbow.
- Olecranal: back of the elbow.
- Antebrachial: forearm.
- Carpal: wrist.
- Manual: hand.
- Metacarpal: hand bones beyond the wrist.
- Palmar: palm.
- Pollex: thumb.
- Digital: fingers.
Lower Limb
- Coxal: hip.
- Femoral: thigh.
- Patellar: front of the knee.
- Popliteal: back of the knee.
- Crural: shin/lower leg front.
- Sural: calf/back of the leg.
- Pedal: foot.
- Calcaneal: heel.
- Tarsal: ankle.
- Metatarsal: foot bones beyond the ankle.
- Hallux: big toe.
- Digital: toes.
- Plantar: sole of the foot.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Axial Region — head, neck, trunk.
- Appendicular Region — upper and lower limbs.
- Cephalic — head.
- Cervical — neck.
- Thoracic — chest.
- Brachial — upper arm.
- Crural — lower leg (front).
- Pedal — foot.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Take the free anatomy quiz linked in course materials.
- Review the anatomy video playlist for deeper learning of regional terms.