1. Anatomical position is assumed when using directional terms to describe, document, and discuss the findings of the examination of different regions of the body. Describe how the body is situated in anatomical position and why it is considered important.
2. Ms. Young is concerned about KO's heartburn symptoms and stomach pain because of the history of gastric cancer in his immediate family. For that reason, she has referred him to a gastroenterologist for a more focused work-up. (a) Describe the location and subdivisions of the ventral cavity and (b) the dorsal cavity. (c) Describe which cavity or cavities the endoscopic device, which looks like a long hose, must travel through to get from the mouth to the stomach.

 

1. Anatomical position is assumed when using directional terms to describe, document, and discuss the findings of the examination of different regions of the body. Describe how the body is situated in anatomical position and why it is considered important.

Anatomic position - person is standing erect, with the upper limbs by the sides and the face and palms of the hands directed forward (for the male, the erect penis is the anatomic position so when identifying the anatomic structures of the male reproductive system we need to remember this)

Terms needed to remember in anatomic position

• Anterior and Posterior are used to indicate the front and back of the body, respectively. One is said to be anterior or posterior to the other insofar as it is closer to the anterior or posterior body surface. 
• Hand - palmar and dorsal surfaces are used in place of anterior and posterior in describing the hand
• Foot - plantar and dorsal surfaces are used instead of lower and upper surfaces in describing the foot
• Proximal and Distal describe the relative distances from the roots of the limbs; for example, the arm is proximal to the forearm and the hand is distal to the forearm. 
• Superficial and Deep denote the relative distances of structures from the surface of the body
• Superior and Inferior denote levels relatively high or low with reference to the upper and lower ends of the body
• Internal and External are used to describe the relative distance of a structure from the center of an organ or cavity; for example, the internal carotid artery is found inside the cranial cavity and the external carotid artery is found outside the cranial cavity
• Ipsilateral refers to the same side of the body; for example, the left hand and the left foot are ipsilateral
• Contralateral refers to opposite sides of the body; for example, the left biceps brachii muscle and the right rectus femoris muscle are contralateral

Importance: The following terms mentioned above is basing it with respect to the anatomic position. Without knowing the anatomic position, we cannot accurately discuss or record the abnormal functions of joints, the actions of muscles, the alteration of position of organs, or the exact location of swellings or tumors. When we perform surgery, knowledge of anatomic position is important in order to locate the structures of the body.

2. Ms. Young is concerned about KO's heartburn symptoms and stomach pain because of the history of gastric cancer in his immediate family. For that reason, she has referred him to a gastroenterologist for a more focused work-up. (a) Describe the location and subdivisions of the ventral cavity and (b) the dorsal cavity. (c) Describe which cavity or cavities the endoscopic device, which looks like a long hose, must travel through to get from the mouth to the stomach.

Ventral Cavity

• is also called as anterior cavity
• Has 2 main divisions: Thoracic Cavity and Abdominopelvic Cavity (from superior to inferior)
• The two divisions are demarcated by the diaphragm muscle
• This cavity is home to the visceral organs.
• The thoracic cavity - houses the heart of cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and the thoracic structures of the gastrointestinal system (mouth and esophagus); Thoracic cavity is further subdivided into pleural cavity and mediastinum. Pleural cavity contains the lungs while mediastinum is located at the left side containing the heart.
• The abdominopelvic cavity - is divided into abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity. The abdominal cavity houses the gastrointestinal system (excluding mouth and esophagus and rectum), and the first part of the urinary system (kidneys and ureter). The pelvic cavity houses the rectum of GI tract, lower portion of urinary system (the urinary bladder, urethra), and the reproductive system

Dorsal Cavity

• Is also called as the posterior cavity
• Has 2 main divisions: Cranial cavity and Spinal/Vertebral Cavity
• The two divisions are not demarcated by any anatomic structure
• It is a continuous chamber filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that plays a role in the metabolism and protection of the nervous system.
• The cavity contains the brain (in the cranial cavity) and the vertebrae (in the vertebral cavity)

Other cavities (nice to know for this question)

Oral cavity - mouth

Nasal cavity - nose

When performing Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), a hose with a camera (scope) is used to visualize the structures of the esophagus and stomach, and now in the current guidelines it says that there is NEED also to visualize the duodenum of the small intestine. Its route involves the VENTRAL CAVITY

Oral Cavity -> Thoracic Cavity (Pharynx -> Esophagus) -> Abdominal Cavity (Stomach and then Duodenum of Small Intestine)

• Demarcation between Thoracic Cavity and Abdominal Cavity - Diaphragm Muscle