Regional Terms in Anatomy

Major Regions of the Body

• Axial Region: Includes the head, neck, and trunk.
  • Mnemonic: "Ax" is used to cut down the trunk of a tree, relating it to the head, neck, and trunk.
• Appendicular Region: Includes the upper and lower limbs.
  • Mnemonic: "Appendage" refers to something that attaches to another structure.

Axial Region

Head Regions

• Cephalic: Entire head region.
  • Mnemonic: "C" to see and "lick" for lick (head has eyes and mouth).
• Cranial: Skull region.
  • Mnemonic: Similar to "branial," as it houses the brain.
• Frontal: Forehead region.
  • Mnemonic: "Front" is the forehead or front of the head.
• Ocular: Eye region.
  • Mnemonic: Use binoculars for the ocular region.
• Otic: Ear region.
  • Mnemonic: Otoscope is used to inspect the ear.
• Nasal: Nose region.
  • Mnemonic: Nasal spray is used for the nose.
• Buccal: Cheek region.
  • Mnemonic: Medication administered via the buccal route goes inside the cheek.
• Oral: Mouth region.
  • Mnemonic: Oral medication is taken by mouth.
• Mental: Chin region.
  • Mnemonic: Men tend to have larger chins.
• Occipital: Back or base of the skull.
  • Mnemonic: Also the occipital lobe and bone.

Neck Region

• Cervical: Neck region.
  • Mnemonic: Cervical vertebrae/spine are located here.

Trunk Regions

• Thoracic: Region between neck and abdomen.
  • Mnemonic: Insects have a thorax, as do humans.
• Axillary: Armpit region.
  • Mnemonic: Ax deodorant for axillary region.
• Mammary: Breast region.
  • Mnemonic: Mammary glands produce milk in females.
• Sternal: Center of the chest.
  • Mnemonic: Sternum bone looks like a necktie.
• Abdominal: Region of the abdomen.
  • Mnemonic: Known for "abs" location; divided into quadrants or regions.
• Umbilical: Navel or belly button area.
  • Mnemonic: Site where the umbilical cord was attached.
• Pelvic: Between hip bones.
  • Mnemonic: Elvis shook his pelvis.
• Inguinal: Groin area.
  • Mnemonic: Inguinal hernias occur here.
• Pubic: Genital area.
  • Mnemonic: Pubic hair grows here.
• Perineal: Between genitals and anus.
  • Mnemonic: Nurses perform "pericare" in this area.
• Dorsal: Back area.
  • Mnemonic: Dolphins have a dorsal fin on the back.
• Vertebral: Along the spine.
  • Mnemonic: Vertebrae are located here.
• Lumbar: Lower back area.
  • Mnemonic: Chairs offer lumbar support for lower back.
• Sacral: Lower back region where the sacrum is located.
  • Mnemonic: Sacrum is considered the soul's residence in some cultures.
• Gluteal: Buttocks area.
  • Mnemonic: Gluteal muscles are called glutes.

Appendicular Region

Upper Limb Regions

• Acromial: Shoulder area.
  • Mnemonic: Acrobats stand on acromial regions.
• Brachial: Arm area.
  • Mnemonic: Muscles like biceps brachii are here.
• Antecubital: Front of the elbow.
  • Mnemonic: Nurses refer to it as "AC."
• Olecranal: Back of the elbow.
  • Mnemonic: Elbow bump is the olecranal bump.
• Antebrachial: Forearm area.
  • Mnemonic: Common mistake to call it the arm; it’s the forearm.
• Carpal: Wrist area.
  • Mnemonic: Carpals drive a car.
• Manual: Hand region.
  • Mnemonic: Used for manual labor.
• Metacarpal: Beyond the carpals in the hand.
  • Mnemonic: "Meta" means beyond.
• Pollex: Thumb region.
  • Mnemonic: Pollex up for thumbs up.
• Digital: Finger area.
  • Mnemonic: Use for clicking subscribe.

Lower Limb Regions

• Coxal: Hip area.
  • Mnemonic: Cowboys cock guns at the coxal region.
• Femoral: Thigh region.
  • Mnemonic: Contains femur bone and femoral artery.
• Patellar: Front of the knee.
  • Mnemonic: Kneecap bone is called patella.
• Popliteal: Back of the knee.
  • Mnemonic: Bend to pop a squat.
• Crural: Front of the leg.
  • Mnemonic: Cricketers wear pads on crural region.
• Sural: Calf region.
• Pedal: Foot area.
  • Mnemonic: Used for pedaling a bike.
• Calcaneal: Heel region.
  • Mnemonic: Callus on heel, calcaneal.
• Tarsal: Ankle region.
  • Mnemonic: Tarsals are closer to toes.
• Metatarsal: Beyond the tarsals in the foot.
  • Mnemonic: "Meta" means beyond.
• Hallux: Big toe.
  • Mnemonic: Walk down the hall with hallux.
• Plantar: Sole of the foot.
  • Mnemonic: Plantar warts occur here.

Conclusion

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