Overview
This lecture covers key regional terms used in anatomy to designate specific parts of the body, focusing on both axial and appendicular regions and their subdivisions.
Major Body Regions
- The body is divided into the axial region (head, neck, trunk) and the appendicular region (upper and lower limbs).
- Axial region includes the cephalic (head), cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), abdominal, and pelvic areas.
- Appendicular region covers the shoulder, arms, hands, hips, legs, and feet.
Axial Region Terms
- Cephalic refers to the entire head.
- Cranial relates to the skull, which houses the brain.
- Frontal region is the forehead.
- Ocular region refers to the eyes.
- Otic region refers to the ears.
- Nasal region pertains to the nose.
- Buccal region is the cheek area.
- Oral region is the mouth.
- Mental region refers to the chin.
- Occipital region is the lower back of the head.
- Cervical region refers to the neck.
- Thoracic region is between the neck and abdomen (chest area).
- Axillary region is the armpit.
- Mammary region is the breast.
- Sternal region refers to the sternum (breastbone).
- Abdominal region is the stomach area.
- Umbilical region surrounds the navel.
- Pelvic region is between the hip bones.
- Inguinal region is the groin.
- Pubic region covers external genitalia.
- Perineal region is between the genitalia and the anus.
- Dorsal region is the full back.
- Vertebral region runs along the spine.
- Lumbar region is the lower back.
- Sacral region is at the base of the spine.
- Gluteal region refers to the buttocks.
Appendicular Region Terms
- Acromial region is the shoulder tip.
- Brachial region is the upper arm.
- Antecubital region is the front of the elbow.
- Olecranal region is the back of the elbow.
- Antebrachial region is the forearm.
- Carpal region refers to the wrist.
- Manual region is the entire hand.
- Metacarpal region is beyond the wrist, including the palm.
- Palmar region is the palm.
- Pollex is the thumb.
- Digital region refers to the fingers.
- Coxal region is the hip.
- Femoral region is the thigh.
- Patellar region is the front of the knee.
- Popliteal region is the back of the knee.
- Crural region is the front of the lower leg.
- Sural region is the calf (back of lower leg).
- Pedal region refers to the foot.
- Calcaneal region is the heel.
- Tarsal region is the ankle.
- Metatarsal region is beyond the ankle.
- Hallux is the big toe.
- Digital region also refers to the toes.
- Plantar region is the sole of the foot.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Axial Region — head, neck, and trunk portion of the body.
- Appendicular Region — arms (upper limbs) and legs (lower limbs).
- Cephalic — head.
- Cervical — neck.
- Thoracic — chest.
- Brachial — arm.
- Femoral — thigh.
- Patellar — kneecap.
- Tarsal — ankle.
- Carpal — wrist.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Take the provided anatomy quiz.
- Review the anatomy video playlist for deeper understanding.