Language of Anatomy, Microscope & Mitosis, Histology, and Muscle Physiology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated directly from student lab notes covering anatomical terminology, body regions and planes, serous membranes, microscopy, mitosis, tissue types, and muscle mechanisms.

Gross Anatomy

The study of large scale structures visible by the eye.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of structures with a microscope or magnification.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Histology

The study of tissues, cells, and organs at the microscopic level.

Physiology

The study of function.

Anatomical Position

Standard body stance where the head faces forward, feet are spaced shoulder length apart (or very close together), arms and palms face forward, and the mouth is closed.

Anterior (Ventral)

Refers to the front or towards the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Refers to the back or towards the back of the body.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Superior

Above or towards the head.

Inferior

Below or towards the feet.

Proximal

Close to the point of attachment to the trunk; used for limbs.

Distal

Away from the point of attachment to the trunk; used for limbs.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Closer to the inside or center of the body.

Antebrachial

Refers to the forearm region.

Antecubital

Refers to the anterior region of the elbow (cubital).

Axillary

Refers to the armpit region.

Brachial

Refers to the (upper) arm region.

Buccal

Refers to the cheek region.

Calcaneal

Refers to the heel of the foot.

Carpal

Refers to the wrist region.

Cephalic

Refers to the head region.

Cervical

Refers to the neck region.

Coxal

Refers to the hip region.

Cranial

Refers to the skull region.

Crural

Refers to the anterior part of the leg.

Deltoid/Acromial

Refers to the shoulder region.

Femoral

Refers to the thigh region.

Fibular

Refers to the lateral part of the leg.

Hallux

Refers to the big toe.

Inguinal

Refers to the groin region.

Lumbar

Refers to the inferior part of the back between the ribs and pelvis.

Mental

Refers to the chin region.

Occipital

Refers to the posterior part of the head.

Olecranal

Refers to the posterior part of the elbow.

Patellar

Refers to the kneecap region.

Perineal

Diamond-shaped region between the thighs containing the anus and external reproductive organs.

Plantar

Refers to the sole of the foot.

Pollex

Refers to the thumb.

Popliteal

Refers to the area posterior to the knee.

Sural

Refers to the calf or posterior part of the leg.

Tarsal

Refers to the ankle region.

Thoracic

Region superior to the diaphragm containing the pectoral, axillary, and sternal regions.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

A plane that separates the anterior from the posterior portions of the body.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that separates the superior from the inferior portions of the body.

Midsagittal Plane

A plane that runs down the midline of the body and separates the right and left portions equally.

Parasagittal Plane

A sagittal plane that separates the right and left portions unequally.

Oblique Plane

A plane that runs at an angle to any of the standard body planes.

Visceral Layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane located directly against an organ.

Parietal Layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane located against the cavity wall.

Pericardium

The serous membrane associated with the heart.

Pleura

The serous membrane associated with the thoracic cavity.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane associated with the abdominal region.

Resolution

The ability of a microscope to discriminate two objects as separate.

Working Distance

The distance between the bottom of the objective lens and the microscopic slide.

Interphase

The stage comprising most of the cell cycle where the cell grows and prepares for division, consisting of G1, S, and G2 phases.

Mitosis

Division of the parent cell producing two genetically identical daughter cells for growth and repair of body tissue.

Prophase

Mitotic stage where nuclear membrane disappears, spindle fibers form, chromatin condenses, and centrioles move to opposite ends.

Metaphase

Mitotic stage where replicated chromosomes line up along the equator of the cell.

Anaphase

Mitotic stage where sister chromatids separate to opposite ends and a cleavage furrow begins to form in late phase.

Telophase

Mitotic stage where chromatin decondenses, nuclear membrane and nucleolus reappear, and cleavage furrow pinches inward.

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm (not part of mitosis) involving actin and myosin forming a contractile ring.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue composed of tightly packed cells with minimal ECM, polar apical and basal surfaces, and a basement membrane; avascular.

Squamous Cells

Flat epithelial cells with a bulging nucleus.

Cuboidal Cells

Square-shaped epithelial cells with a centrally located nucleus.

Columnar Cells

Pillar-like epithelial cells taller than wide with nuclei located near the bottom.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Epithelium that appears to have multiple layers due to varying nuclear heights, but is a single layer where all cells touch the basement membrane.

Transitional Epithelium

Stratified epithelium found in the urinary tract whose apical cells are dome-shaped when relaxed and flat when stretched.

Keratin

Protein usually found in skin that imparts strength and protection to dead skin cells.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Connective tissue with abundant viscous ground substance, scattered fibroblasts, and many blood vessels; protects tissues and binds skin to deeper structures.

Adipose Tissue

Connective tissue containing closely packed adipocytes with peripheral nuclei; stores energy, insulates, and cushions.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Connective tissue featuring reticular fibers and leukocytes that provides stroma for lymphatic organs.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Tissue with densely packed parallel arrays of collagen fibers that resists stress in one direction; forms tendons and ligaments.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Tissue with randomly arranged, clumped collagen fibers that withstands stress applied in all directions; found in the dermis.

Hyaline Cartilage

Cartilage with a glassy matrix and chondrocytes in lacunae; provides support and forms most of the fetal skeleton.

Elastic Cartilage

Cartilage containing an abundant web-like mesh of elastic fibers; maintains shape while permitting extensive flexibility.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage with numerous parallel collagen fibers and large chondrocytes in lacunae; resists compression and acts as a shock absorber.

Fusiform Muscle

Muscle arrangement that is thick in the middle and tapers at the ends, such as the biceps brachii.

Unipennate Muscle

Feather-shaped muscle where fascicles approach the tendon from one side.

Bipennate Muscle

Feather-shaped muscle where fascicles approach the tendon from both sides.

Multipennate Muscle

Feather-shaped muscle where fascicles converge on a single point, such as the deltoid.

Circular Muscle

Rings of muscle that control body openings, such as the orbicularis oculi.

Origin

The fixed point of attachment of a muscle that does not move during contraction.

Insertion

The attachment point of a muscle that is moved and pulled toward the origin during contraction.

Agonist

The prime mover muscle responsible for producing a specific movement at a joint.

Antagonist

A muscle that opposes or reverses a movement produced by an agonist.

Synergist

A muscle that aids the action of an agonist by reducing unnecessary movement.

Fixator

A specialized synergist that immobilizes the origin of a prime mover so tension is fully exerted at the insertion.

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle of a joint.

Extension

Movement that increases the angle of a joint or returns the angle to baseline.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.

Circumduction

Movement combining flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction where the distal end moves while the proximal end stays stationary.

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces downward.

Supination

Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces upward.

Dorsiflexion

Movement of the foot pointing the toes upward.

Plantar Flexion

Movement of the foot pointing the toes downward.

Inversion

Turning the foot medially toward the midline of the body.