Vocab - Ch 6: General Anatomy

abdominal cavity

space containing the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and most of the intestines

anatomical position

the body standing erect with face forward, feet together, arms hanging at the sides, and palms forward

anatomy

study of the shape and structure of the human body

cell membrane

provides protection for the cell and transports nutrients into, and toxic substances out, of a cell

chromosomes

found in the nucleus of a cell and carries the cell’s genetic information

connective tissue

supports, protects, and gives, structure to other tissues and organs in the body

cranial cavity

space in the skull that houses the brain

cytoplasm

gel-like fluid inside the cell

dorsal cavity

cavity located in the back of the body

endoplasmic reticulum

is a network for moving substances within a cell

epithelial tissue

type of tissue that covers body surfaces and lines body cavities and organs

Golgi complex

is a specific area in a cell to package and move proteins

lysosomes

are bages of digestive enzymes in the cell that break down nutrients and toxic material

midsagittal plane

vertical line that divides the body into equal right and left sides

mitochondria

organelle that produce energy for a cell from the food we eat

muscle tissue

tissue with the ability to contract or shorten to provide movement to body parts

NIDCR

• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

• the federal government’s lead agency for scientific research on oral, dental, and craniofacial disease.

nerve tissue

responsible for coordinating and controlling body activites

nucleus

“control center” of the cell

oblique plane

divides the body at an angle

organelle

specialized part of a cell that performs a specific function

pelvic cavity

space that contains portions of the large and small intestines, the rectum, the urinary bladder, and the reproductive organs

physiology

study of the functions of the human body

planes

imaginary lines used to divide the body into sections

ribosomes

• organelles that are found in all cells

• perform protein synthesis

sagittal plane

any vertical plane parallel to the midline that divides the body into unequal left and right portions

spinal cavity

space in the body that contains the spinal cord

stem cell

immature, unspecialized cells capable of replication and differentiation into other types of cells or tissues

thoracic cavity

space that contains the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea

transverse plane

a horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions

ventral cavity

space located at the front of the body

superior

above another part or closer to the head

inferior

below another part or closer to the feet

proximal

closer to the point of attachment or closer to the trunk of the body

distal

farther from a point of attachment or farther from the trunk of the body

lateral

the side or away from the midline

medial

towared or nearer the midline

dorsal

on the back

ventral

on the front

anterior

toward the front

posterior

toward the back