Anatomy Regional Terms

Regions of the Body

• Axial Region: Covers the head, neck, and trunk.
  • Mnemonic: Use of 'axe' to remember trunk (head and neck).
• Appendicular Region: Includes upper and lower limbs.
  • Mnemonic: Appendage means something that attaches or extends from another structure.

Axial Region

Head (Cephalic)

• Cephalic: Entire head region.
  • Mnemonic: Contains 'see' and 'lick' (senses from head).
• Cranial: Refers to the skull.
  • Mnemonic: Cranial rhymes with brainial (houses the brain).
• Frontal: Forehead.
  • Mnemonic: Forehead is at the front.
• Ocular: Eye region.
  • Mnemonic: Use of binoculars (ocular).
• Otic: Ear region.
  • Mnemonic: Otoscope is used to inspect ears.
• Nasal: Nose region.
• Buccal: Cheek area.
• Oral: Mouth.
• Mental: Chin.
  • Mnemonic: "Men" have bigger chins.
• Occipital: Back of the skull.

Neck

• Cervical: Neck region.
  • Mnemonic: Contains cervical vertebrae (spine).

Trunk

• Thoracic: Between neck and abdomen.
  • Mnemonic: Thorax in insects; thoracic vertebrae.
• Axillary: Armpit region.
  • Mnemonic: Ax deodorant.
• Mammary: Breast region.
• Sternal: Between mammary regions.
• Abdominal: Abdomen (abs location).
• Umbilical: Naval or belly button area.
• Pelvic: Between hip bones.
  • Mnemonic: Elvis shook his pelvis.
• Inguinal: Area for inguinal hernias.
• Pubic: External genitalia region.
• Perineal: Between genitalia and anus.

Posterior Trunk

• Dorsal: Back area.
• Vertebral: Along the spine.
• Lumbar: Lower back.
  • Mnemonic: Lumbar support in chairs.
• Sacral: Lower back (sacrum bone).
• Gluteal: Buttocks.

Appendicular Region

Upper Limbs

• Acromial: Shoulder region.
• Brachial: Arm region.
• Antecubital: Front of elbow.
  • Mnemonic: "AC" for antecubital.
• Olecranal: Back of elbow.
• Antebrachial: Forearm region.
• Carpal: Wrist area.
• Manual: Entire hand region.
• Metacarpal: Beyond the carpals.
• Palmar: Palm of the hand.
• Pollux: Thumb.
• Digital: Fingers.

Lower Limbs

• Coxal: Hip region.
• Femoral: Thigh region.
  • Mnemonic: Femur bone, femoral artery.
• Patellar: Front of the knee.
• Popliteal: Back of the knee.
• Crural: Front of the leg (knee to ankle).
• Sural: Calf muscle area.
• Pedal: Foot region.
• Calcaneal: Heel region.
  • Mnemonic: Callus on the heel.
• Tarsal: Ankle region.
• Metatarsal: Beyond the tarsals.
• Hallux: Big toe.
• Digital: Toes.
• Plantar: Sole of the foot.

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