BIOL 1070 Chapter 1

directional terms & major organ systems & their functions

Levels of organization (least to most complex)

1. chemical

2. cellular

3. tissue

4. organ

5. system

6. organism

Superior (cephalad)

towards the head

Inferior (caudad)

away from the head

Anterior (ventral)

pertaining to the front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

pertaining to the back of the body

Medial

towards the midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline of the body, towards the sides

Parietal

pertaining to the outer boundary

Visceral

pertaining to the inner boundary

External (superficial)

towards the surface of the body

Internal (deep)

away from the surface of the body

Proximal

part of extremity near attachment to the body

Distal

part of extremity away from attachment to the body

Central

at or near center of the body or organ

Peripheral

away from center of the body or organ

Anatomical position

the position used as reference for all anatomical directional terms, the body facing forward with palms pointing forward

Cephalic region

the head

Cervical region

the neck

Cranial region

the brain area

Facial region

the face area

Abdominal region

region between lowest ribs and pelvis

Pelvic region

region enclosed by pelvic bones

Inguinal region

region containing the groin area

Pectoral region

region containing the chest area

Sternal region

region over the breast bone

Dorsum region

the back of the chest area

Gluteal region

region containing the buttocks

Lumbar region

the lower back between the lowest ribs and the pelvis

Sacral region

the region over the sacrum between buttocks

Axillary region

the armpits

Coxal region

the hips

Genital region

contains the external reproductive organs

Perineal region

the region between the anus and reproductive organs

Antebrachial

pertaining to the forearm

Antecubital

pertaining to the front of the elbow

Cubital

pertaining to the back of the elbow

Brachial

pertaining to the upper arm

Carpal

pertaining to the wrist

Digital

pertaining to fingers or toes

Palmar

pertaining to the palm of the hand

Pollux

pertaining to the thumb

Crural

pertaining to the leg

Femoral

pertaining to the thigh

Patellar

pertaining to the front of the knee

Popliteal

pertaining to the back of the knee

Pedal

pertaining to the foot

Hallux

pertaining to the big toe

Planar (/plantar)

pertaining to the sole of the foot

Tarsal

pertaining to the ankle

Left hypochondriac region

contains

• liver’s tip

• stomach

• pancreas

• left kidney

• spleen

• large/small intestines

Epigastric region

contains

• liver

• stomach

• spleen

• duodenum

• adrenal glands

• pancreas

Right hypochondriac region

contains

• liver

• right kidney

• gallbladder

• large/small intestines

Left lumbar region

contains

• descending colon

• small intestine

• left kidney

Umbilical region

contains

• duodenum

• small intestine

• transverse colon

Right lumbar region

contains

• ascending colon

• small intestine

• right kidney

Left iliac region

contains

• sigmoid colon

• descending colon

• small intestine

Hypogastric region

contains

• bladder

• sigmoid colon

• small intestine

• reproductive organs

Right iliac region

contains

• appendix

• cecum

• ascending colon

• small intestine

Integumentary system

skin and structures derived from it (hair, nails)

function: protection, excretion, receptor of stimuli, regulation of temperature

Skeletal system

all bones (206), cartilage and joints

function: support, protection, leverage, production of blood cells, storage of minerals

Muscular system

all body muscles, skeletal, smooth, cardiac

function: movement and heat production

Cardiovascular system

blood, heart, and blood vessels

function: transport of many materials, disease resistance, temperature regulation

Lymphatic system

lymph, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, lymph glands (spleen, tonsils, thymus)

function: transport fats, clean blood, produce white blood cells (lymphocytes), osmotic regulation

Nervous system

brain, spinal cord, nerves, sense organs

function: receive and interpret stimuli, transmit impulses, coordination, regulation of body processes

Respiratory system

lungs, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

function: supply oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide

Digestive system

mouth, espohagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, pancreas, liver, gallbladder

function: mechanically and chemically break down food, prepare it for absorption through walls of intestine into blood, eliminate waste

Urinary system

kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra

function: eliminate nitrogenous waste, water and salt regulation

Reproductive system

testes or overies, transport tubes, and storage organs

function: create and store haploid gametes (meiosis), nourish baby, birth

Cytology

the study of cells

Anatomy

the study of body organization and structure

Physiology

the study of body functions

Pericardium

the double layered (parietal and visceral layers) membrane surrounding and protecting the heart

Peritoneum

the double layered (parietal and visceral layers) membrane surrounding and protecting the abdominal organs

Pleura

double layered (parietal and visceral layers) membrane surrounding and protecting the lungs

Meninges

protective membrane surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord

Homeostasis/equilibrium

maintenance of a dynamic balance of substances in body fluids

Catabolism

breakdown of complex substances

Anabolism

synthesis of complex substances