Vocab Test Summer Work Anatomy

Anatomy

The study of the structure and form of body parts and their relationships to one another.

Physiology

The study of the functions of body parts and how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

Subatomic particles

Particles that make up atoms; protons (positive), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (negative).

Atom

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Molecule

A particle composed of two or more atoms chemically bonded together.

Macromolecule

Large, complex molecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Organelle

Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct processes, such as the nucleus or mitochondria.

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in living organisms.

Tissue

A group of similar cells organized to perform a specialized function.

Organ

A structure consisting of two or more tissue types that performs a specific function.

Organ system

A group of organs that work together to perform one or more vital functions for the body.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body that build up (anabolism) or break down (catabolism) substances for energy and growth.

Water

The most abundant substance in the body; required for metabolic processes, transport, and temperature regulation.

Oxygen

A gas necessary for the release of energy from nutrients during cellular respiration.

Food

Substances that provide necessary nutrients for energy, building materials, and chemical regulation.

Heat

A form of energy produced by metabolic reactions; helps regulate body temperature.

Pressure

The application of force; atmospheric pressure for breathing and hydrostatic pressure for blood circulation.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changing external conditions.

Homeostatic mechanisms

Processes that help maintain homeostasis through monitoring, regulating, and responding to changes.

Receptors

Structures that detect and provide information about internal or external conditions.

Control center

The part of the body (often the brain) that processes information and sends out commands to maintain balance.

Effectors

Muscles or glands that carry out the response to return the body to its set point.

Negative feedback mechanism

A process in which the body responds to a change by counteracting it, restoring conditions to normal (e.g., body temperature regulation).

Internal environment

The conditions within the body's internal spaces where cells live.

Aging

The process of changes over time in the structure and function of the body's systems.

Viscera

The internal organs within the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Normal range

The set of values for a physiological measurement within which the body functions optimally.

Cranial cavity

Cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral cavity

Cavity containing the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity containing the lungs, heart, and mediastinum.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Contains both the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Contains the stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, and other organs.

Pelvic cavity

Contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Oral cavity

The mouth.

Frontal plane

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

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left sections.

Transverse plane

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

Mediastinum

Region in the thoracic cavity between the lungs that contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, and thymus.

Axial portion

Head, neck, and trunk of the body, including all body cavities.

Appendicular portion

Upper and lower limbs.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities; plays a major role in breathing.

Serous membranes

Thin tissues lining the walls of thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities and covering the organs within.

Parietal pleura

Membrane lining the thoracic cavity wall.

Visceral pleura

Membrane covering the lungs.

Pleural membranes

The combined parietal and visceral pleura surrounding the lungs.

Pericardial membranes

Membranes surrounding the heart.

Visceral pericardium

Membrane directly covering the heart.

Pericardial cavity

Potential space between the pericardial membranes filled with serous fluid.

Peritoneal membranes

Membranes lining the abdominopelvic cavity and its organs.

Sphenoidal sinus

Air-filled cavity within the sphenoid bone.

Middle ear cavity

Contains the middle ear bones for hearing.

Frontal sinuses

Air-filled spaces in the frontal bone above the eyes.

Orbital cavities

Cavities in the skull where the eyes are located.

Nasal cavity

Hollow space behind the nose.