Regional Terms in Anatomy

Major Regions of the Body

• Axial Region
  • Covers head, neck, and trunk.
  • Mnemonic: "acts" - as in ax used to cut down a tree (trunk).
• Appendicular Region
  • Includes upper and lower limbs (appendages).

Areas within the Axial Region

Head Region

• Cephalic: Refers to the entire head region.
  • Mnemonic: Starts with "c" and ends with "lick" (structures for seeing and licking).
• Cranial: Refers to the skull.
  • Mnemonic: "cranial" rhymes with "brain" (houses brain).
• Frontal: Refers to the forehead (front of the head).
  • Mnemonic: "front" is similar to "four" (forehead).
• Ocular: Refers to the eyes.
  • Mnemonic: "ocular" relates to "binoculars."
• Otic: Refers to the ear region.
  • Mnemonic: Doctor uses an "otoscope" to check ears.
• Nasal: Refers to the nose.
  • Mnemonic: Related to "nasal spray."
• Buccal: Refers to the cheeks.
  • Mnemonic: Medication can be administered via the buccal route (inside of the cheek).
• Oral: Refers to the mouth.
  • Mnemonic: Medication taken "orally" = by mouth.
• Mental: Refers to the chin.
  • Mnemonic: Men tend to have bigger chins.
• Occipital: Refers to the back/base of the skull.
  • Note: Also has an occipital lobe (brain) and occipital bone (skull).

Neck Region

• Cervical: Refers to the neck.
  • Note: Cervical vertebrae in the neck.

Trunk Region

• Thoracic: Area between neck and abdomen.
  • Mnemonic: Similar to "thorax" in insects.
  • Note: Thoracic vertebrae are present.
• Axillary: Refers to the armpit.
  • Mnemonic: "ax" in deodorant (axillary).
• Mammary: Refers to the breast region (mammals).
• Sternal: Named after the sternum (necktie shape).
• Abdominal: Location of abs; divided into quadrants or nine regions.
• Umbilical: Area of the navel (belly button).
• Pelvic: Area between hip bones.
  • Mnemonic: Elvis Presley and his pelvis.
• Inguinal: Area where inguinal hernias occur.
• Pubic: Refers to external genitalia area.
• Perineal: Area between genitals and anus.
  • Note: Important for proper hygiene (wipe front to back).

Posterior Side of the Trunk

• Dorsal: Area of the back.
  • Mnemonic: Dolphins have dorsal fins.
• Vertebral: Region along the spine (vertebrae).
• Lumbar: Lower back.
  • Mnemonic: "lumbar support" in chairs.
• Sacral: Area of the lower back with the sacrum bone.
• Gluteal: Area of the buttocks (glutes).

Appendicular Region

Upper Limbs

• Acromial: Part of the shoulder.
  • Mnemonic: Acrobats can stand on it.
• Brachial: Refers to the arm.
• Antecubital: Area in front of the elbow.
  • Abbreviated as "AC" by nurses.
• Olecranal: Refers to the back of the elbow (olecranon).
• Antibrachial: Refers to the forearm.
  • Note: Arm is from shoulder to elbow; forearm is from elbow to wrist.
• Carpal: Refers to the wrist.
  • Mnemonic: Carpals help drive a car.
• Manual: Refers to the hand region.
• Metacarpal: Just beyond the carpals (prefix "meta" means beyond).
• Palmar: Refers to the palm of the hand.
• Pollux: Refers to the thumb.
• Digital: Refers to fingers.

Lower Limbs

• Coxal: Refers to the hip region.
  • Mnemonic: Cowboy "cocks" his gun here.
• Femoral: Thigh region (femur bone).
• Patellar: Refers to the kneecap.
• Popliteal: Area behind the knee.
• Cural: Front area of the leg (knee to ankle).
  • Mnemonic: Cricket players wear pads here.
• Sural: Back of the leg (calf muscle).
• Pedal: Refers to the foot.
  • Mnemonic: Use foot to pedal a bike.
• Calcaneal: Refers to the heel.
• Tarsal: Refers to the ankle region.
• Metatarsal: Area just beyond the tarsals.
• Hallux: Refers to the big toe.
  • Mnemonic: You use hallux to walk down the hall.
• Digital (toes): Refers to the toes.
• Plantar: Refers to the sole of the foot.
  • Note: Location for plantar warts.

Conclusion

• Emphasizes the interconnectedness of anatomical terms.
• Encourages further study and offers resources for quizzes and videos.