Human Anatomy & Physiology Examination: Cellular Organization, Tissue &
Organ Systems, Homeostasis, Body Cavities (Cranial, Spinal, Thoracic,
Abdominal, Pelvic), Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions, Directional
Terminology (Medial, Lateral, Proximal, Distal, Superior, Inferior, Anterior,
Posterior, Superficial, Deep), Planes (Frontal, Sagittal, Transverse), Skeletal
Landmarks (Cervical, Clavicular, Ocular, Acromial, Cubital, Brachial, Carpal,
Thoracic, Abdominal, Pelvic, Femoral, Geniculate, Pedal, Palmar, Plantar),
Structural-Functional Correlations, Physiologic Functions of Major Systems,
Organ-Specific Functions, and Regional Anatomy Integration Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is anatomy?
The structural makeup of an organism
What is fine anatomy?
Fine anatomy concerns itself with viewing the features of the body with the aid of a microscope
What is gross anatomy?
Gross anatomy concerns itself with viewing the features of the body with the naked eye
What is physiology?
,Physiology refers to the functions of an organism and it examines the chemical or physical
functions that help the body function appropriately
What are the levels of organization of the human body?
All parts of the human body are built of individual units called cells. Groups of similar cells are
arranged into tissues, different tissues are arranged into organs, and organs working together
form entire organ systems
What are the five body cavities?
cranial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic
Cranial cavity
The cranial cavity is surrounded by the skull and contains organs such as the brain and pituitary
gland
Thoracic cavity
The thoracic cavity is encircled by the sternum (breastbone) and ribs. It contains organs such as
the lungs, heart, trachea (windpipe), esophagus, and bronchial tubes
Abdominal cavity
The abdominal cavity is separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm. It contains organs
such as the stomach, gallbladder, liver, small intestines, and large intestines. The abdominal
organs are held in place by a membrane called the peritoneum
,Pelvic cavity
The pelvic cavity is enclosed by the pelvis, or bones of the hip. It contains organs such as the
urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, anus and rectum. It contains the reproductive organs as well.
It contains the reproductive organs as well. In females, the pelvic cavity also contains the uterus
Spinal cavity
The spinal cavity is surrounded by the vertebral column. The vertebral column has five regions:
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. The spinal cord runs through the middle of the
spinal cavity
Describe the frontal plane
The frontal, or coronal, plane is a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into front
(anterior) and back (posterior) portions.
Describe the sagittal plane
The sagittal, or lateral, plane is a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left
sides
Describe the transverse plane
The transverse, or axial, plane is a horizontal plane that divides the body organ into upper and
lower portions. This is also considered a cross section. CT scans are only oriented in this plane
while MRI imaging can be oriented in any of the 3 planes
, Medial
Refers to a structure being closer to the midline of the body
Lateral
Refers to being Arther from the midline of the body
Proximal
Refers to a structure or body part located near an attachment point
Distal
Refers to a structure or body part located far from an attachment point
Anterior
Means towards the front in humans. Ventral can be used in place of anterior
Posterior
Means toward the back in humans. The term dorsal can be used in place of posterior
Superior
Organ Systems, Homeostasis, Body Cavities (Cranial, Spinal, Thoracic,
Abdominal, Pelvic), Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions, Directional
Terminology (Medial, Lateral, Proximal, Distal, Superior, Inferior, Anterior,
Posterior, Superficial, Deep), Planes (Frontal, Sagittal, Transverse), Skeletal
Landmarks (Cervical, Clavicular, Ocular, Acromial, Cubital, Brachial, Carpal,
Thoracic, Abdominal, Pelvic, Femoral, Geniculate, Pedal, Palmar, Plantar),
Structural-Functional Correlations, Physiologic Functions of Major Systems,
Organ-Specific Functions, and Regional Anatomy Integration Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is anatomy?
The structural makeup of an organism
What is fine anatomy?
Fine anatomy concerns itself with viewing the features of the body with the aid of a microscope
What is gross anatomy?
Gross anatomy concerns itself with viewing the features of the body with the naked eye
What is physiology?
,Physiology refers to the functions of an organism and it examines the chemical or physical
functions that help the body function appropriately
What are the levels of organization of the human body?
All parts of the human body are built of individual units called cells. Groups of similar cells are
arranged into tissues, different tissues are arranged into organs, and organs working together
form entire organ systems
What are the five body cavities?
cranial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic
Cranial cavity
The cranial cavity is surrounded by the skull and contains organs such as the brain and pituitary
gland
Thoracic cavity
The thoracic cavity is encircled by the sternum (breastbone) and ribs. It contains organs such as
the lungs, heart, trachea (windpipe), esophagus, and bronchial tubes
Abdominal cavity
The abdominal cavity is separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm. It contains organs
such as the stomach, gallbladder, liver, small intestines, and large intestines. The abdominal
organs are held in place by a membrane called the peritoneum
,Pelvic cavity
The pelvic cavity is enclosed by the pelvis, or bones of the hip. It contains organs such as the
urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, anus and rectum. It contains the reproductive organs as well.
It contains the reproductive organs as well. In females, the pelvic cavity also contains the uterus
Spinal cavity
The spinal cavity is surrounded by the vertebral column. The vertebral column has five regions:
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal. The spinal cord runs through the middle of the
spinal cavity
Describe the frontal plane
The frontal, or coronal, plane is a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into front
(anterior) and back (posterior) portions.
Describe the sagittal plane
The sagittal, or lateral, plane is a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left
sides
Describe the transverse plane
The transverse, or axial, plane is a horizontal plane that divides the body organ into upper and
lower portions. This is also considered a cross section. CT scans are only oriented in this plane
while MRI imaging can be oriented in any of the 3 planes
, Medial
Refers to a structure being closer to the midline of the body
Lateral
Refers to being Arther from the midline of the body
Proximal
Refers to a structure or body part located near an attachment point
Distal
Refers to a structure or body part located far from an attachment point
Anterior
Means towards the front in humans. Ventral can be used in place of anterior
Posterior
Means toward the back in humans. The term dorsal can be used in place of posterior
Superior
