Overview
This lecture reviews key regional terms in anatomy, focusing on the proper names for different body areas within the axial and appendicular regions.
Major Body Regions
- The body is divided into the axial region (head, neck, trunk) and appendicular region (upper and lower limbs).
- The axial region includes the cephalic (head), cervical (neck), and trunk regions (thoracic, abdominal, pelvic).
- The appendicular region includes areas of the arms and legs.
Axial Region Terms
- Cephalic: entire head region.
- Cranial: skull.
- Frontal: forehead.
- Ocular: eyes.
- Otic: ears.
- Nasal: nose.
- Buccal: cheeks.
- Oral: mouth.
- Mental: chin.
- Occipital: back of the skull.
- Cervical: neck.
- Thoracic: chest, between neck and abdomen.
- Axillary: armpit.
- Mammary: breast.
- Sternal: center of chest, over sternum.
- Abdominal: area over the abdomen.
- Umbilical: navel or belly button.
- Pelvic: between hip bones.
- Inguinal: groin.
- Pubic: genital area.
- Perineal: between genitalia and anus.
- Dorsal: entire back.
- Vertebral: along the spine.
- Lumbar: lower back.
- Sacral: area over the sacrum.
- Gluteal: buttocks.
Appendicular Region Terms
Upper Limb
- Acromial: top of the shoulder.
- Brachial: upper arm.
- Antecubital: front of elbow.
- Olecranal: back of elbow.
- Antebrachial: forearm.
- Carpal: wrist.
- Manual: hand.
- Metacarpal: beyond the wrist.
- Palmar: palm of the hand.
- Pollex: thumb.
- Digital: fingers.
Lower Limb
- Coxal: hip.
- Femoral: thigh.
- Patellar: front of knee.
- Popliteal: back of knee.
- Crural: front of leg (shin).
- Sural: calf.
- Pedal: foot.
- Calcaneal: heel.
- Tarsal: ankle.
- Metatarsal: beyond the ankle.
- Hallux: big toe.
- Digital: toes.
- Plantar: sole of foot.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Axial region — Central part of the body: head, neck, trunk.
- Appendicular region — Limbs and areas attached to the axis.
- Cephalic — Head region.
- Cervical — Neck region.
- Thoracic — Chest region.
- Abdominal — Abdomen.
- Pelvic — Lower trunk, between hips.
- Acromial — Shoulder tip.
- Brachial — Upper arm.
- Femoral — Thigh.
- Patellar — Kneecap.
- Crural — Shin area.
- Sural — Calf.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review all regional terms for a quiz.
- Watch related anatomy videos for further details.
- Take the free quiz linked in the course materials.