Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 9 Human Body Orientation 441
Concept 2: Head and Neck
At the top of the body, the head and neck are part of the axial region. The head
area is called the
cephalic
region. Some surface parts of the cephalic region
include the forehead, scalp, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, lips, and ears. The neck
area is called the
cervical region
and includes the cervical vertebrae (bone seg-
ments of the spine that make up the neck).
cephalic region the head
area of the body
cervical region the neck
area of the body
Recall Activity
1. The head area is called the __________________________ region.
2. The cervical region makes up the __________________________ area and includes the cervical vertebrae.
3. List three surface parts of the cephalic region. ______________________________________________________
Concept 3: Trunk
The trunk of the body encompasses the chest, thorax, and hips. The body’s
trunk can be divided into four regions: the thoracic region, the abdominal
region, the pelvic region, and the pubic region. The
thoracic region
includes the
chest or breast. The
abdominal region
encompasses the belly and navel (belly
button). The
pelvic region
includes the hips, and the
pubic region
refers to the
groin and genitals.
thoracic region the chest or
breast area of the body
abdominal region the belly
area of the body
pelvic region the hip area
of the body
pubic region the groin and
genital area of the body
Recall Activity
1. Which region refers to the groin and genitals? ______________________________________________________
2.
The __________________________ region includes the chest or breast.
3. The abdominal region encompasses the __________________________ and
__________________________.
Concept 4: Abdominopelvic Regions
The abdominal and pelvic regions encompass the abdominal cavity and the
pelvic cavity, known collectively as the abdominopelvic cavity. The abdomi-
nopelvic cavity can be divided into nine regions, much like a tic-tac-toe box.
When referring to the
abdominopelvic
regions, envision the body in anatomical
position. In anatomy, left always refers to the body’s left (not your left), and
right always refers to the body’s right (not your right). The abdominopelvic
regions are organized into three rows and three columns (Figure 9.9).
abdominopelvic region an
area of the abdominopelvic
cavity