Cross Sectional Anatomy

The vast variation of viewing the body was developed and started  within the early 16th century by Leonardo da Vinci. (L. Kelley, C. Peterson 2018 pg1)  Since then the medical field have evolved from the original views of xray.   To using Two dimensional  and Three dimensional to our current 2D and 3D cross-sectional views today.  Which was started after Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered x-rays.  Cross Sectional anatomy allows us to view our organs and their proximity and relation to other organs. 

Cross sectional anatomy helps us learn more about the body as is gives us a well-thought-out view of the body.   While the body is in an anatomical position (The person is standing erect, with the face and toes pointed forward and the arms at the side, with the palms facing forward.) (L. Kelley, C. Peterson 2018 pg2)     From there we brake the body down into planes.  Planes help us further identify images from a directional point of view. 

 Examples : The nasal bone is anterior from the Occipital bone within the skull.

Sagittal plane :Vertical plate that divides the body into left and right sections
Coronal plane: Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) posterior (back) sections
Transverse /Axial plane: divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections
Oblique plane : Diagonal plane, divides the body at an angle.

Anatomic Position and planes

Please View the Odontoid Process of C2

 

       Coronal view

Axial view

 

Sagittal view

Directional terminology and Regional terminology

Another form of identifying one’s anatomy is through Directional terminology and Regional terminology.  These terms allows us to further advise where structures are within its' region.  

 

The anatomical external landmarks provides another body identifier.  It is another super helpful part of Cross Sectional anatomy.   There is a pattern where the external landmarks are named similarly to the internal structures.  We are truly able to learn the human anatomy more easily and identify its parts with this structural setup.  Of course it takes time to learning takes time.  However, its possible through repetition and incorporating the use of the names of the body parts in our daily life chats with others.  We will undoubtedly be able to one day hone in on our skills of identifying these structures. 

Body Cavities 

The body consist of two main cavities, the dorsal and the ventral cavity.  This breaks down the anatomy even further, we are given a more basic explanation of the body and it’s parts.  The Dorsal Cavity is located posteriorly and includes the cranial and spinal cavities.  The ventral cavity is the largest body cavity. (L. Kelley, C. Peterson 2018 pg4).  This cavity is the broken down further into the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavity.  The Thoracic is divided also into two lateral pleural cavities, along with a single cavity call the mediastinum.  

 

   

Body Cavities  

Body Cavities and its contents:  The table below help us  identify organs within the body.  As we are able to identify the anatomy promptly, we well also accurately gain thorough knowledge of the specific cavity location. You won’t mistakenly look for the bladder in the cranial cavity.  Cross sectional anatomy really structurally gives us a breakdown of everything.    

 

The body is then broken down into quadrants.  This is where the midsagittal and transverse planes intersect at the umbilicus to divide the abdomen into 4 part called quadrants.  (L. Kelley, C. Peterson 2018 pg6)  

RUQ- Right upper quadrant 

RLQ- Right lower quadrant

LUQ-Left upper quadrant

LLQ-Left lower quadrant

The abdomen is then divided into nine regions, further making it a smoother process of identifying organs.  

As I wrap my post up, I will like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  The research this blog required allowed me to learn a lot more than I envisioned.  It actually deepened my appreciation for the human body, how it functions and the correlation of each body part to another.   It really put into perspective for me that our body functions at it's best when all of our parts are functioning properly.  Be kind you the one body you have.  Make sure your well mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually (whatever you believe in).  Again knowing the planes and its respective organs will allow you to identify organs on scans such as an MRI or CT.  You will be able to identify the human organs dimensionally,  while capturing images of the same organ in different planes.   

Have Fun Learning! 

 

References:

All images were taken from Sectional Anatomy for Imaging professionals.  Fourth Edition.  

Fig. 1.2 Anatomic position and planes of the body, page 2.

Table 1.1 directional Terminology, page 3.

Table 1.2 Regional Terminology, page 3.

Fig. 1.4 Regional terminology of the body, page 4.

Fig. 1.4 Regional terminology of the body, page 4.

Fig. 1.7 (A) Lateral view of body cavities (B) Anterior view of the body cavities, page 5.

Table 1.4 body Cavities, page 6

Fig. 1.8 (A) Four abdominal quadrants (B) Nine abdominal regions, page 6

Table 1.5 Organs found within Abdominal Quadrants, page 7 

Kelley, L.L. (2018), Petersen, Connie M.(2018) Sectional anatomy for Imaging Professionals (4th ed.). Elsevier