Anatomical Terms and Definitions

These flashcards cover key anatomical vocabulary terms along with their definitions.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of organisms.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Cytology

The study of cells and their structures.

Zoötomy

The dissection of animals.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right halves.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into upper and lower parts.

Frontal plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Cranial

Pertaining to the head.

Caudal

Pertaining to the tail.

Rostral

Toward the nose.

Ventral

Pertaining to the belly.

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Further from the midline; toward the side.

Proximal

Nearer to the trunk or point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of attachment.

Right (Dexter)

Pertaining to the right side.

Left (Sinister)

Pertaining to the left side.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Superficial

Near the body surface.

Intermediate

Between two structures.

Bifurcation

A splitting into two branches.

Ipsilateral

Structures located on the same side.

Contralateral

Structures located on opposite sides.

Bilateral

Structures on both sides of the body.

Unilateral

Structure located on one side of the body.

Visceral

Pertaining to the internal organs.

Parietal

Pertaining to the wall of a cavity.

Afferent

Carrying toward a center.

Efferent

Carrying away from a center.

Intra-

Within.

Extra-

Outside.

Inter-

Between.

Epi-

Above; on.

Sub-

Below.

Infra-

Below; beneath.

Peri-

Around.

Hypo-

Below normal.

Hyper-

Above normal.

Poly-

Many; frequent.

Oligo-

Few; little.

(A)n-

Not; without.

Dys-

Disturbed; difficult.

Anti-

Against.

Bi-/di-

Two.

Tri-

Three.

Brachy-

Short.

-plasie

Formation or development.

-trophy

Nutrition or growth.

-itis

Inflammation.

-oma, -oom

Tumor; swelling.

-ectomie

Surgical removal.

-resectie

Surgical removal of part of an organ.

Glandulae parotideae

Parotid glands.

Glandula submandibularis

Submandibular salivary gland.

Nodus lymphaceus

Lymph node.

Vena cava

Large veins that carry deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Ren

Kidney.

Ureter

Tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Vesica urinaria

Urinary bladder.

Urethra

Tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Cor

Heart.

Thymus

A gland in the chest involved in immune function.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain responsible for voluntary actions.

Trachea

Windpipe; passage for air.

Diaphragma

Muscle separating thoracic cavity from abdominal cavity.