Body region for CPC exam & medical coder fresher

Below are the foundational anatomy topics for your medical coding exam:

1. Directional Term

Body region for CPC exam & medical coder fresher

Term	Meaning
Superior/Cranial	Toward the head
Inferior/Caudal	Toward the feet
Anterior/Ventral	Toward the front
Posterior/Dorsal	Toward the back
Medial	Toward the midline
Lateral	Away from the midline
Proximal	Closer to the point of attachment
Distal	Farther from the point of attachment
Superficial	Closer to the skin surface
Deep	Farther from the skin surface
Ipsilateral	Same side
Contralateral	Opposite side

2. Body Planes

1. Sagittal Plane – Divides body into right and left sides

   • Midsagittal (Median) – Divides into equal right/left halves

2. Frontal (Coronal) Plane – Divides body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions

3. Transverse (Axial/Horizontal) Plane – Divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions

Body region for CPC exam & medical coder fresher

3. Body Cavities

Spaces within the body that house internal organs:

Dorsal Cavity

• Cranial cavity – Contains the brain

• Spinal (vertebral) cavity – Contains the spinal cord

Ventral Cavity

• Thoracic cavity – Contains heart, lungs

  • Pleural cavities (right/left) – surround lungs

  • Mediastinum – contains heart, esophagus, trachea

  • Pericardial cavity – surrounds heart

• Abdominopelvic cavity

  • Abdominal cavity – stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, kidneys

  • Pelvic cavity – bladder, reproductive organs, rectum

4. Body Regions

A. Four Abdominal Quadrants

Used commonly in clinical documentation and coding:

1. RUQ – Right Upper Quadrant (liver, gallbladder, part of pancreas)

2. LUQ – Left Upper Quadrant (stomach, spleen, part of pancreas)

3. RLQ – Right Lower Quadrant (appendix, part of colon)

4. LLQ – Left Lower Quadrant (part of colon, reproductive organs)

B. Nine Abdominal Regions

More precise anatomical mapping (used in physical exams and detailed documentation):

Top row:

1. Right Hypochondriac

2. Epigastric

3. Left Hypochondriac

Middle row: 4. Right Lumbar 5. Umbilical 6. Left Lumbar

Bottom row: 7. Right Iliac (Inguinal) 8. Hypogastric (Pubic) 9. Left Iliac (Inguinal)