Organisation of the Body

Dorsal refers to the back, the cavity enclosed by the skull and vertebrae.

The muscular diaphragm physically separates these two ventral cavities.

Physiology refers to function.

This is the best answer. It is a collective term for all organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Retroperitoneal refers to organs inferior to the diaphragm but not enclosed by the peritoneum. For example, the kidneys, pancreas, rectum and part of the duodenum.

Dorsal refers to the back and is opposite to ventral. Only the brain and spinal cord occupy the dorsal cavity. All other answers are incorrect.

To flex an arm is to decrease the angle between the humerus and radius (by contracting the biceps brachii). Choice D is wrong as contracting the triceps brachii causes extension of the forearm.

In the anatomical position, the palms are displayed ventrally. The radius is further from the body’s midline than is the ulna; hence, it is lateral to the ulna.

Cephalic refers to the head region, while superior refers to being closer to the head than is the other anatomical structure in question.

The cephalus is the head; the plantar region is the base of the foot; the hypochondriac region is inferior and deep to the rib cartilages of ribs 7–10; the axillary region is the “armpit”.