Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide Comprehensive Glossary & Concept Master List

Vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts, levels of organization, tissue types, organ systems, directional terms, planes, cavities, and regional anatomical vocabulary.

Anatomy

Study of body structure and the names of body parts.

Gross Anatomy

General body structures that can be seen with the naked eye.

Microscopic Anatomy

Body structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye (requires magnification).

Physiology

Study of the functions of body parts.

Anatomical Position

Standard body position: erect, standing up with feet on the floor and slightly apart, head straight, arms by side, and palms facing forward.

Reference Point

A standard starting point used in anatomy to describe relative position and direction (the anatomical position).

Chemical Level

Atoms, molecules, and macromolecules that make up cellular structures.

Cell

The basic unit of life, made of organelles.

Tissue

Groups of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

Organ

Groups of different tissues working together to perform a complex function.

System

Groups of organs working together to perform a specific major body function.

Organism

A group of organ systems working together as an individual living thing.

Epithelial Tissue

Covers the surface of the body and lines internal cavities and organs.

Nervous Tissue

Forms the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; conducts electrical signals.

Connective Tissue

Provides support (bones, cartilage), attaches tissues (tendons, ligaments), and performs specialized functions (blood).

Muscle Tissue

Moves parts attached to it; includes skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle tissues.

Integumentary System

Protects internal structures against injury, prevents fluid loss, and aids temperature regulation.

Skeletal System

Supports/protects soft tissues and organs, provides framework, attaches muscles, and produces blood cells.

Muscular System

Moves the body and its parts; maintains posture and produces body heat.

Nervous System

Controls and integrates body activities; responsible for higher functions like thought and reasoning.

Endocrine System

Regulates body metabolism, growth, and hormonal balance.

Cardiovascular System

Transports materials (blood, oxygen, nutrients, wastes) between cells and tissues.

Lymphatic / Immune System

Protects the body against infection, disease invasion, and pathogens.

Respiratory System

Provides for intake and output of air; exchanges gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide).

Digestive System

Supplies the body with food for energy and eliminates solid waste products.

Urinary / Excretory System

Filters wastes from blood and maintains water and electrolyte balance.

Reproductive System

Produces gametes (egg/sperm) and continues the species.

Supine

Body lying face upward.

Prone

Body lying face downward.

Superior (Cranial)

Towards the head, or above another structure.

Inferior (Caudal)

Away from the head / towards the feet, or below another structure.

Anterior (Ventral)

Front side of the body, or in front of another structure.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Back side of the body, or at the back of another structure.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body (toward the outer side).

Proximal

Closer to the origin or point of attachment of a limb.

Distal

Farther from the origin or point of attachment of a limb.

Superficial (External)

Located close to or on the surface of the body.

Deep (Internal)

Located beneath or far from the body surface.

Sagittal Plane

Longitudinal section dividing the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal (Median)

Sagittal plane running directly down the midline, dividing body into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal Plane

Sagittal plane running off-center, dividing body into unequal right and left parts.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Longitudinal plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.

Dorsal Cavity

Posterior body cavity housing the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Cranial Cavity

Upper division of dorsal cavity housing the brain.

Spinal (Vertebral) Cavity

Division of dorsal cavity containing the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Anterior body cavity containing thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Chest cavity containing lungs, heart, esophagus, and trachea.

Pericardial Cavity

Sub-cavity specifically surrounding the heart.

Pleural Cavity

Sub-cavities surrounding each lung.

Diaphragm

Muscular sheet separating thoracic and abdominal cavities; primary muscle of respiration.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Continuous cavity containing abdominal and pelvic organs.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and small/large intestines.

Pelvic Cavity

Contains rectum, urinary bladder, and internal female/male reproductive organs.

Abdominal

Region between thorax (chest) and pelvis

Acromial

Point of shoulder

Axillary

Armpit area

Brachial

Arm (upper arm)

Carpal

Wrist

Cephalic

Head

Cervical

Neck region

Coxal

Hip

Crural

Leg (lower leg / shin area)

Digital

Fingers or toes

Femoral

Thigh

Frontal (Regional)

Forehead

Genital

External reproductive organs

Gluteal

Buttock

Inguinal

Groin (where trunk meets thighs)

Lumbar

Lower back or loin

Mammary

Breast area

Nasal

Nose

Occipital

Lower back / posterior region of head

Oral

Mouth

Orbital

Bony socket of the eye

Otic

Ears

Palmar

Palm of hand

Pectoral

Anterior chest region

Pedal

Foot

Pelvic (Regional)

Pelvis region

Pubic

Genital area where hair grows

Sacral

Posterior region between hips / base of spine

Sternal

Middle of the chest (breastbone area)

Umbilical

Navel / belly button

Vertebral (Regional)

Spine / backbone column