Body Systems and Cavities

Flashcards for key vocabulary terms related to body systems, cavities, and medical combining forms.

Endocrine System

Composed of glands; sends chemical messengers called hormones into the blood.

Reproductive System

Produces the cells that join to form the embryo.

Cells

Individual units found in all parts of the human body.

Tissues

Similar cells grouped together to do a specific job.

Organs

Structures composed of several kinds of tissue.

Systems

Groups of organs working together to perform complex functions.

Circulatory System

Includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels.

Digestive System

Brings food into the body and breaks it down so it can enter the bloodstream.

Musculoskeletal System

Includes muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues; supports the body and allows it to move.

Nervous System

Carries electrical messages to and from the brain and spinal cord.

Respiratory System

Controls breathing, a process in which air enters and leaves the body.

Urinary System

Produces urine and sends it out of the body through the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Cranial Cavity

Contains the brain.

Thoracic Cavity

Contains the lungs and heart.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains the stomach, small and large intestines, spleen, and pancreas.

Pelvic Cavity

Contains the urinary bladder, ureters, urethra, rectum, and uterus.

Spinal Cavity

Contains the spinal column and nerves of the spinal cord.

Cervical Region

The neck region of the spinal column.

Thoracic Region

The chest region of the spinal column.

Lumbar Region

The loin or waist region of the spinal column.

Sacral Region

The sacrum or lower back region of the spinal column.

Coccygeal Region

The coccyx or tailbone region of the spinal column.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into upper and lower portions.

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or body part into front and back portions.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides.

Midsagittal Plane

Divides the body vertically into right and left halves.

abdomin/o

Combining form for abdomen.

anter/o

Combining form meaning front.

bronch/o

Combining form for bronchial tubes.

cervic/o

Combining form for neck of the body or cervix of the uterus.

pelv/o

Combining form for pelvis (bones of the hip).

peritone/o

Combining form for peritoneum (membranes surrounding the abdomen).

pharyng/o

Combining form for pharynx (throat).

lymph/o

Combining form for lymph (clear fluid in tissue spaces and lymph vessels).

mediastin/o

Combining form for mediastinum (space between the lungs).

hepat/o

Combining form for liver.

lapar/o

Combining form for abdomen.

laryng/o

Combining form for larynx (voice box).

later/o

Combining form for side.

chondr/o

Combining form for cartilage.

coccyg/o

Combining form for coccyx or tailbone.

crani/o

Combining form for skull.

epitheli/o

Combining form for skin, surface tissue.

esophag/o

Combining form for esophagus.

thorac/o

Combining form for chest.

trache/o

Combining form for trachea (windpipe).

vertebr/o

Combining form for vertebra (backbone).

pleur/o

Combining form for pleura.

poster/o

Combining form for back or behind.

sacr/o

Combining form for sacrum (five fused bones in the lower back).

spin/o

Combining form for spine or backbone.