Anatomy uses a fixed set of names for each part of the body so everyone describes the same spot the same way. These terms always assume the body is in anatomical position.
Anatomical position
Standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides with palms forward and feet together. Left and right always mean the patient's left and right, not yours.
Axial regions
The axial body is the head, neck and trunk. Common terms include cephalic (head), cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), abdominal (belly) and lumbar (lower back).
Appendicular regions
The appendicular body is the limbs. Examples are brachial (upper arm), antecubital (front of the elbow), femoral (thigh), popliteal (back of the knee) and pedal (foot).
Abdominal quadrants
Two lines crossing at the navel divide the abdomen into right upper, left upper, right lower and left lower quadrants. Clinicians use them to describe the location of pain and findings.
| Term | Region | Clinical use |
|---|---|---|
| Antecubital | Front of the elbow | Common IV and blood draw site |
| Brachial | Upper arm | Blood pressure cuff, brachial pulse |
| Femoral | Thigh and groin | Femoral pulse |
| Popliteal | Back of the knee | Popliteal pulse |
| Pedal | Foot | Dorsalis pedis pulse |
At the bedside
Use region names and quadrants when you document a wound, a rash or abdominal pain, for example "tenderness in the right lower quadrant". Clear location words prevent handoff errors and wrong-site procedures.
Related guides
Written by Making Synapses. Topic reference: OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e (no text adapted).