WSU ~ BIO 2870: Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory - Lab Practical #1

Six levels of organization

Chemical/organelles → cellular → tissue → organ → organ system → organismal.

Chemical level

Atoms and molecules combine to form organelles.

Organelle

Specialized structure within a cell that performs a particular function.

Cellular level

Cells are the smallest living units of the body.

Tissue level

Groups of similar cells and extracellular material performing a common function.

Organ level

Two or more tissue types forming a structure with specific functions.

Organ system level

Related organs working together to perform major body functions.

Organismal level

All organ systems functioning together as one living individual.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal (median) plane

Divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal plane

Divides the body into unequal right and left portions.

Coronal (frontal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Longitudinal section

A cut made along the long axis of a structure.

Sagittal section

A longitudinal section dividing a structure into right and left portions.

Coronal section

A longitudinal section dividing a structure into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (cross) section

A cut made perpendicular to the long axis of a structure.

Oblique section

A cut made at an angle other than 90 degrees to the long axis.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head or above another structure.

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the feet or below another structure.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial (external)

Closer to the body surface.

Deep (internal)

Farther from the body surface.

Parietal

Associated with or lining the wall of a body cavity.

Visceral

Associated with or covering an organ.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body.

Frontal region

Forehead.

Cephalic region

Head.

Cranial region

Skull.

Facial region

Face.

Cervical region

Neck.

Orbital or ocular region

Eye.

Otic region

Ear.

Nasal region

Nose.

Buccal region

Cheek.

Oral region

Mouth.

Mental region

Chin.

Thoracic region

Chest.

Abdominal region

Abdomen.

Pelvic region

Pelvis.

Sternal region

Breastbone.

Axillary region

Armpit or underarm.

Brachial region

Arm between the shoulder and elbow.

Mammary region

Breast.

Pectoral region

Male chest.

Antecubital region

Front of the elbow.

Umbilical region

Navel.

Antebrachial region

Forearm.

Carpal region

Wrist.

Palmar region

Palm of the hand.

Pollex

Thumb.

Digital or phalangeal region

Fingers or toes.

Inguinal region

Groin.

Pubic region

Genital region.

Femoral region

Thigh.

Patellar region

Front of the knee or kneecap.

Crural region

Leg between the knee and ankle.

Tarsal region

Ankle.

Hallux

Great toe.

Pedal region

Foot.

Occipital region

Base or back of the skull.

Acromial region

Point of the shoulder.

Scapular region

Shoulder blade.

Dorsal region

Back.

Vertebral region

Spinal column.

Olecranal region

Back of the elbow.

Lumbar region

Lower back.

Sacral region

Area over the sacrum between the hips.

Manual region

Hand.

Gluteal region

Buttock.

Popliteal region

Back of the knee.

Sural region

Calf.

Calcaneal region

Heel.

Plantar region

Sole of the foot.

Axial division

Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular division

Upper and lower limbs.

Dorsal body cavity

Posterior cavity containing the cranial and vertebral cavities.

Cranial cavity

Contains the brain.

Vertebral (spinal) cavity

Contains the spinal cord.

Ventral body cavity

Anterior cavity containing the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic cavity

Contains the pleural cavities and mediastinum.

Pleural cavities

Two potential spaces surrounding the lungs.

Mediastinum

Central region of the thoracic cavity between the lungs.

Pericardial cavity

Potential space surrounding the heart.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Continuous cavity inferior to the diaphragm containing the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity containing mainly digestive organs.

Pelvic cavity

Inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity containing the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Serous membrane

Thin double-layered membrane lining a ventral cavity and covering its organs.

Parietal serous layer

Layer lining the wall of a body cavity.

Visceral serous layer

Layer directly covering an organ.

Parietal pericardium

Serous membrane lining the wall of the pericardial cavity.

Visceral pericardium

Serous membrane directly covering the heart.

Parietal pleura

Serous membrane lining the wall of a pleural cavity.