Lab 1: Introduction, Lesser Chordates, and Vertebrates

Clade Chordata

Includes: Cephalochordates (Amphixous), Urochordates (tunicates), and Vertebrates

Shared derived traits: notochord, dorsal hollow neural tube, post-anal tail, pharyngeal gill slits, and endostyle (thyroid gland)

Clade Craniata/Vertebrata

Includes: Hagfish, Lamprey, and all other vertebrates

Shared derived traits: large, tripartite (3 part) brain, large sense organs on head (eyes, ears, etc), cranium (bone/cartilage) supports around the brain, ventral heart, kidney, liver, and more

Sagittal plane

divides the body or structure into mirror images of right and left sides

Mid-sagittal or Medial plane

made by a vertical cut along the midline 

Parasagittal plane

divides the body into unequal right and left sides; a vertical cut that is moved laterally from the midline onto the right or left side

Transverse plane

divides the body or structure into cranial and caudal sections

Frontal or Coronal plane

divies the body or structure into dorsal and ventral sections

Cranial or Anterior

Toward the head region

Caudal or Posterior

Away from the head, towards the tail

Dorsal

superior; the upper surface of a structure

Ventral

inferior; the lower surface of a structure

Rostral

the nasal area of an organism

Anal

region around the digestive system’s exit from the body

Proximal

a body extremity that is closer to the trunk; object is closer to a point of origin

Distal

a body extremity that is farther from the trunk; object is farther from point of origin

Medial

nearer to the midline of the body or the midline of a structure

Lateral

farther from the midline of the body or the midline of a structure

Deep

away from the surface of the body or the surface of a structure

Parietal

pertaining to or forming the outer wall of a body cavity

Visceral

pertaining to the covering of an organ within ventral body cavity

Ipsilateral

on the same side of the body as another structure

Contralateral

the opposite side of the body as another structure

Superficial

toward or on the surface of the body or surface of a structure