Anatomy 101: Introduction to the Human Body

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions of anatomy and physiology, levels of organization, tissue types, directional terms, body planes, cavities, organ systems, and medical terminology from the lecture notes.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the human body—what the body is made of and how its parts are organized.

Physiology

The study of how body structures function or "What does it do?"

Levels of Organization

The hierarchy of the human body from smallest to largest: Atoms, Molecules, Cells, Tissues, Organs, Organ Systems, and Organism.

atoms- building blocks (oxygen, hydrogen, carbon)

Molecules- (water, protein, DNA)

Cells- smallest living unit

tissues- groups of similar cells

organs- group of tissues working together

organ systems- groups of organs

organism- the complete human body

Cells

The smallest living units in the human body.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers body surfaces, lines organs and cavities, and forms glands; examples include skin and intestinal lining.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports and connects structures; examples include bone, blood, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and fat.

Skeletal Muscle

Muscle tissue attached to bones responsible for voluntary movement.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found in organs and blood vessels.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found only in the heart.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue making up the brain, spinal cord, and nerves responsible for communication throughout the body.

Anatomical Position

A standard position where the body is standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward, and feet together.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head.

Inferior

Directional term meaning toward the feet.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning the front.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning the back.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to attachment; for example, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from attachment; for example, the fingers are distal to the wrist.

Superficial

Directional term meaning near the surface.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into left and right.

Midsagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into front and back.

Transverse Plane

A plane that divides the body into top and bottom.

Thoracic Cavity

A body cavity containing the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea, separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm.

Abdominal Cavity

A body cavity containing the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, and most of the large intestine.

Pelvic Cavity

A body cavity containing the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Skeletal System

System composed of $206$ bones in the adult body that provides support, protection, movement, blood cell production, and mineral storage.

Fibrous Joints

Joints with no movement, such as skull sutures.

Cartilaginous Joints

Joints with slight movement, such as those found between vertebrae.

Synovial Joints

Freely movable joints, including the shoulder, hip, knee, and elbow.

Muscle System

System consisting of more than $600$ muscles responsible for movement, posture, and heat production.

Cardiovascular System

System whose main organs are the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Respiratory System

System responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide via structures like the trachea, lungs, and alveoli.

Digestive System

The path of food including the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

A division of the nervous system consisting of cranial nerves and spinal nerves.

Cerebrum

The brain region responsible for thinking, memory, sensation, and voluntary movement.

Cerebellum

The brain region responsible for balance and coordination.

Brainstem

The brain region responsible for breathing, heart rate, and consciousness.

Endocrine System

System of hormone-producing glands that regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response.

Urinary System

System that filters blood, produces urine, and maintains fluid and electrolyte balance; includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Lymphatic and Immune System

System of structures like lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus that fight infection and return excess fluid to the bloodstream.

Brady-

Medical prefix meaning slow.

Tachy-

Medical prefix meaning fast.

-itis

Medical suffix meaning inflammation.

-ectomy

Medical suffix meaning removal.

Cardio

Medical root word meaning heart.

Osteo

Medical root word meaning bone.

Cephalic

Anatomical region referring to the head.

Cervical

Anatomical region referring to the neck.

Brachial

Anatomical region referring to the upper arm.

Femoral

Anatomical region referring to the thigh.