Anatomy exam 1

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior

Away from the head or toward the lower part of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin (usually in reference to limbs).

Distal

Further from the point of attachment or origin (usually in reference to limbs).

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right.

Midsagittal (median) plane

Exactly down the middle.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions.

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward, and feet parallel to each other.

Dorsal cavity

Includes the cranial cavity (brain) and spinal cavity (spinal cord).

Ventral cavity

Includes the thoracic cavity (lungs, heart) and abdominopelvic cavity (digestive organs, kidneys, bladder).

Abdominal cavity

Part of the abdominopelvic cavity containing digestive organs.

Pelvic cavity

Contains reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Liver, gallbladder, right kidney.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Stomach, pancreas, left kidney.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Appendix, right ovary (female).

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Left ovary (female), sigmoid colon.

Solute

A substance dissolved in a solvent (e.g., salt in water).

Solvent

A substance that dissolves a solute (e.g., water).

Proteins

Made of amino acids, function as enzymes, structural components, antibodies.

Nucleus

Stores genetic information (DNA), controls cell activities.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP.

Prophase

Chromosomes condense, nuclear membrane disappears.

Metaphase

Chromosomes line up at the cell's equator.

Anaphase

Sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles.

Telophase

Nuclear membranes reform, and the cell prepares to divide.

Cytokinesis

Cytoplasm divides, resulting in two daughter cells.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

Energy carrier in the cell, used for cellular processes like muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and active transport.

Phospholipids

Form the bilayer.

Cholesterol

Stabilizes the membrane.

Carbohydrates

Cell recognition and signaling.

Transport proteins

Move molecules across the membrane.

Receptor proteins

Detect signals from outside the cell.

Enzymatic proteins

Catalyze reactions.

Structural proteins

Maintain the cell shape.

Loose Connective Tissue

Areolar, adipose, reticular.

Dense Connective Tissue

Tendons, ligaments.

Cartilage

Hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage.

Bone

Osteocytes in a mineralized matrix.

Blood

Red and white blood cells in plasma.

Mucous membranes

Line body cavities that open to the exterior, protect and lubricate.

Serous membranes

Line body cavities not open to the outside, secrete fluid to reduce friction.

Synovial Fluid

Found in synovial joints (knees, elbows). Function: Reduces friction and lubricates joints.

Endocrine glands

Secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream (e.g., thyroid, pancreas).

Exocrine glands

Secrete substances into ducts (e.g., sweat glands, salivary glands).

Involuntary Muscle Tissue

Smooth muscle (in organs) and cardiac muscle (heart).

Voluntary Muscle Tissue

Skeletal muscle.

Functions of Adipose Tissue

Stores energy in the form of fat, provides insulation and protection for organs, stores fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

Fibroblast Function (Connective Tissue)

Produces collagen and extracellular matrix to support and repair tissues.

Negative Feedback in Homeostasis

A mechanism where a change in a physiological variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change (e.g., regulation of body temperature, blood sugar).

Hydrophilic

"Water-loving" (e.g., polar molecules like glucose).

Hydrophobic

"Water-hating" (e.g., nonpolar molecules like lipids).

Diffusion

Movement of particles from high to low concentration.

Osmosis

Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from low to high solute concentration.

Chemical Level

Atoms and molecules (e.g., water, DNA).

Cellular Level

Cells, basic unit of life.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells (e.g., muscle tissue).

Organ Level

Tissues working together (e.g., heart).

Organ System Level

Organs working together (e.g., circulatory system).

Organismal Level

The whole body.

Polarity

A molecule has a positive and negative end (like water).

Ionic Bond

Formed when electrons are transferred between atoms (e.g., NaCl).

Covalent Bond

Formed when electrons are shared between atoms (e.g., H₂O).

Mixture

Combination of substances where each retains its properties (e.g., sand and water).

Solution

Homogeneous mixture where a solute dissolves in a solvent (e.g., saltwater).

Suspension

Heterogeneous mixture where particles are suspended but may settle over time.