Year 1, Sem 1, Chapter 1 - Human Anatomy (Basic Anatomy & Musculoskeletal System)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic anatomy concepts, planes, positional terms, movement terms, fascia and muscular system, bone and cartilage types, surface markings, and joints as described in the lecture notes.

Anatomical position

Standard reference position: standing erect, facing forward, upper limbs at the sides with palms directed forward, lower limbs together and toes forward (not to be confused with functional position where hands are at the sides).

Sagittal plane

A vertical plane parallel to the median plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Median (sagittal) plane

The midsagittal plane that passes through the midline, dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

Coronal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Horizontal (transverse/axial) plane

A plane perpendicular to the median and coronal planes that divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts.

Superior

Toward the head end of the body; opposite of inferior.

Inferior

Toward the feet or tail end; opposite of superior.

Anterior

Front of the body (ventral in humans); opposite of posterior.

Posterior

Back of the body (dorsal in humans); opposite of anterior.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body.

Supine

Lying on the back.

Prone

Lying face down.

Proximal

Nearest point of attachment to the limb or root.

Distal

Farthest point from the attachment or origin.

Internal

Inside or toward the center of a structure.

External

Outside or away from the center of a structure.

Superficial

Near to the surface.

Intermediate

Between a superficial and a deep structure.

Deep

Farther from the surface.

Afferent

Flow toward the reference point.

Efferent

Flow away from the reference point.

Flexion

Decreasing the angle between body parts; usually an anterior movement.

Extension

Increasing the angle between bones; usually a posterior movement.

Hyperextension

Extension beyond the normal range.

Dorsiflexion

Movement of the foot so that the dorsum (top) moves toward the shin (ankle extension in the sagittal plane).

Plantarflexion

Plantar surface moves toward the sole; movement at the ankle.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline in the coronal plane.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline in the coronal plane.

Rotation (medial/internal)

Rotation of a part toward the midline (toward the median plane).

Rotation (lateral/external)

Rotation of a part away from the midline (away from the median plane).

Circumduction

A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, resulting in a cone-shaped path.

Opposition

Movement of the pad of the thumb to touch another digit; unique to the thumb.

Protraction

Anterior (forward) movement of a body part, such as the shoulder or mandible.

Retraction

Posterior (backward) movement of a body part, such as the shoulder.

Protrusion

Anterior movement of a structure; forward projection.

Retrusion

Posterior movement of a structure; backward projection.

Elevation

Raising a part superiorly.

Depression

Lowering a part inferiorly.

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot outward (away from midline).

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot inward (toward midline).

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces posteriorly (dorsum faces anteriorly in the anatomical position).

Supination

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces anteriorly (dorsum faces posteriorly in the anatomical position).

Fascia

A connective tissue layer that separates, supports, and interconnects structures and allows movement of one structure relative to another.

Superficial fascia

Subcutaneous layer; loose connective tissue with fat that lies beneath the dermis.

Deep fascia

Membranous connective tissue that invests muscles and deep structures; forms retinacula and intermuscular septa.

Retinacula

Thickened bands of deep fascia that hold tendons in position or act as pulleys.

Intermuscular septa

Extensions of deep fascia that separate muscle groups into compartments.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bone; responsible for movement and body form.

Striated

Muscle tissue with alternating light and dark bands; characteristic of skeletal muscle.

Voluntary

Muscle control is under conscious control.

Origin

The attachment of a muscle to the stationary bone; moves the least.

Insertion

The attachment of a muscle to the bone that moves the most.

Belly

The fleshy part of a muscle.

Tendon

The fibrous extension that attaches muscle to bone.

Aponeurosis

Flattened, broad sheet of fibrous tissue attaching muscle to a body part.

Raphe

Interdigitation of tendinous ends of muscle fibers.

Prime mover (agonist)

Main muscle that activates a specific movement.

Antagonist

Muscle that opposes the action of the prime mover.

Synergist

Muscle that helps a prime mover by stabilizing a joint or enhancing movement.

Fixator

Stabilizes the origin of a prime mover to improve efficiency.

Long bone

A bone with a tubular shaft; length is greater than its width.

Short bone

Cube-like bone found in the hands and feet.

Flat bone

Thin, curved bones with parallel outer layers.

Irregular bone

Bones with complex shapes not fitting other categories.

Sesamoid bone

Small bones embedded within tendons (e.g., patella) to modify pressure and improve mechanical efficiency.

Axial skeleton

Bones of the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular skeleton

Bones of the limbs and girdles (pectoral and pelvic).

Hy rocartilage

A type of cartilage; most common in joints; provides smooth articulation and supports growth (hyaline cartilage).

Elastic cartilage

Cartilage rich in elastic fibers; highly flexible (e.g., external ear, epiglottis).

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage with dense collagen; provides shock absorption (intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis).

Articular cartilage

Hyaline cartilage covering ends of bones in a joint for smooth articulation.

Compact bone

Dense, hard bone tissue forming the external layer of bones.

Spongy (cancellous) bone

Porous bone tissue with trabeculae that resists stress.

Surface marking: Line

A linear elevation on a bone.

Surface marking: Ridge

A raised linear crest on a bone.

Surface marking: Crest

Prominent narrow ridge of bone.

Surface marking: Tubercle

Small rounded projection on a bone.

Surface marking: Tuberosity

Rough elevated area on a bone for muscle attachment.

Surface marking: Malleolus

Rounded prominence on the ankle end of a bone.

Surface marking: Trochanter

Large, blunt projection on a bone (e.g., femur).

Surface marking: Spine

A sharp, slender projection on a bone (spinous process).

Surface marking: Epicondyle

Projection above a condyle for muscle attachment.

Surface marking: Head

Rounded articular end of a bone.

Surface marking: Condyle

Rounded projection that articulates with another bone.

Surface marking: Facet

Facet for articulation with another bone.

Surface marking: Notch

Indentation or groove on a bone.

Surface marking: Groove (sulcus)

A groove or furrow for vessels or nerves.

Surface marking: Foramen

A hole through which vessels or nerves pass.

Surface marking: Meatus

A canal-like passage within a bone.

Surface marking: Fossa

A shallow depression in a bone.

Surface marking: Canal

A tubular passage or channel in a bone.

Joint

A junction between two or more bones or skeletal parts, with varying degrees of movement.

Synarthrosis

No or very little movement at a joint (e.g., sutures of the skull).

Amphiarthrosis

Slight movement at a joint (e.g., intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis).

Diarthrosis

Great movement; a true synovial joint.

Synovial joint

A joint with a joint cavity, synovial fluid, and an articular capsule.

Fibrous joint

A joint joined by fibrous tissue with little to no movement (e.g., skull sutures).