Human Anatomy - Introductory Lecture Flashcards

Flashcards defining key vocabulary terms, historical figures, anatomical concepts, planes, constitutional body types, and skeletal classifications from the introductory Human Anatomy lecture.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the human body, derived from the Greek word 'temnein', which means 'to cut'.

Gross Anatomy

The branch of anatomy dealing with macroscopic structures of the human body that can be examined with the naked eye.

Histology

The study of tissues and microscopic structures of the human body that require a microscope to be viewed.

William Harvey

English physician (1578-1657) who published 'Anatomical Treatise on the Movement of the Heart and Blood in Animals' in 1628, demonstrating continuous blood circulation.

Physiology

The study of the function of the human body and how it works through physical and chemical processes.

Cytology

The independent branch of science dedicated specifically to the study of cells.

Systemic Anatomy

A branch of anatomy emphasizing the functional relationships of organs within a system and of each system to every other, especially the nervous system.

Topographic Anatomy

A branch of anatomy describing the spatial relationships of portions of several systems and their location relative to skeleton cavities.

Dynamic Anatomy

A branch of human anatomy that studies the dynamics of the supportive and motor apparatus.

Plastic Anatomy

Applied anatomy for artists and sculptors that studies the external form and proportions of the body.

Pathological Anatomy

Also known as morbid anatomy, it is the study of sick organisms and the morbid structural changes in their organs.

Cytochemistry

A science formed by joining cytology and chemistry to study submicroscopic structures and molecules of living matter using electron microscopy.

Morphology

The general science of the form, structure, and development of the organism, comprising anatomy, histology, cytology, and embryology.

Phylogenesis

The development of the human genus in relation to the evolutionary process of lower life forms.

Anthropogenesis

The formation and development of the human being in relation to the development of society.

Ontogenesis

The process of development of an individual organism throughout life, divided into intrauterine and extrauterine periods.

Pirogoff's Method

An anatomical study technique where fragments of the body or organs are frozen and sectioned to study the precise relationship of anatomical formations.

Paris Nomina Anatomica (PNA)

Universal anatomical terminology established in 1955 at the IV-th International Federal Congress of Anatomists in Paris.

Anatomical Position

The standardized position of the body where the subject stands upright with feet together flat on the floor, head level, eyes open facing forward, and arms at the sides with palms turned forward.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical reference plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal Plane

A sagittal plane passing directly through the midline of the body, dividing it into equal right and left halves.

Coronal Plane

Also called the frontal plane, a vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

Also called a horizontal or cross-sectional plane, dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Teratology

The branch of anatomy and embryology that studies structural abnormalities, malformations, and gross developmental anomalies (monstrosities or teratisms).

Hypersthenic Type

A constitutional body type marked by predominant growth in breadth, massive bulk, short limbs, relatively long trunk, and large body cavities.

Asthenic Type

A constitutional body type characterized by predominant growth in length, slenderness, slender limbs, and a chest that predominates over a short trunk.

Dolicomorphic Type

A body build type marked by a long body or above average height, relatively short trunk, small chest circumference, narrow/moderate shoulders, and long lower limbs.

Brachymorphic Type

A body build type characterized by moderate or short height, relatively long trunk, large chest circumference, wide shoulders, and short lower limbs.

Osteology

The scientific study of bones.

Bone

A vascular, innervated connective tissue forming part of the skeletal system.

Cartilage

A nonvascular, non-innervated connective tissue present in the skeletal system.

Axial Skeleton

The division of the skeleton consisting of 80 bones that protect and support the head, neck, and trunk, including the skull, hyoid bone, vertebral column, and bony thorax.

Appendicular Skeleton

The division of the skeleton consisting of 126 bones comprising the upper limbs, lower limbs, pectoral girdle, and pelvic girdle.

Stirrup Bone

The smallest bone in the human skeleton, located in the ear.

Femur

The largest bone in the human skeleton, located in the thigh.

Long Bones

A structural category of bones that includes the humerus, femur, radius, ulna, fibula, tibia, metacarpals, metatarsals, and phalanges.

Short Bones

A structural category of bones consisting of the tarsals and carpals.

Flat Bones

A structural category of bones that includes the skull bones (excluding the mandible), ilium, and scapula.

Sesamoid Bones

A structural category of bones embedded within tendons, exemplified by the patella.

Irregular Bones

A structural category of bones with complex shapes, including the vertebrae and sacrum.