Human Anatomy Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in human anatomy.

Surface Anatomy

Involves visual inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.

Triangle of Auscultation

Borders include the medial border/inferior angle of the scapula, trapezius, and latissimus dorsi.

Anatomical regions

Includes head, neck, trunk, thorax, back, abdominopelvic, upper limb, lower limb.

Thorax

The part of the body between the neck and abdomen.

Back

The posterior part of the human body.

Abdominopelvic

Refers to the combined abdominal and pelvic regions.

Anatomical planes

Divisions of the body used to describe locations and movements; include sagittal, transverse, and coronal.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right parts.

Transverse Plane

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

Frontal/Coronal Plane

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

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Further away from the midline of the body.

Superior

Towards the head.

Inferior

Away from the head.

Anterior/Ventral

Closer to the front of the body.

Posterior/Dorsal

Closer to the back of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of origin.

Distal

Further away from the point of origin.

Flexion

Decreasing the angle between body parts.

Extension

Increasing the angle between body parts.

Abduction

Moving away from the body midline.

Adduction

Moving toward the body midline.

Medial Rotation

Rotating towards the trunk.

Lateral Rotation

Rotating away from the trunk.

Circumduction

Moving a body part in a circular motion.

Elevation

Moving a body part superiorly.

Depression

Moving a body part inferiorly.

Dorsiflexion

Foot movement where toes point upwards.

Plantarflexion

Foot movement where toes point downwards.

Inversion

Soles of the feet rolling towards the midline.

Eversion

Soles of the feet rolling away from the midline.

Pronation

Medial rotation, palm faces posteriorly.

Supination

Lateral rotation, palm faces anteriorly.

Protraction

Moving a body part away from the midline.

Retraction

Moving a body part back towards the midline.

Extrinsic Muscle

Muscle with origin outside an organ or part.

Intrinsic Muscle

Muscle with origin within an organ or part.

Trapezius

Muscle that rotates, retracts, elevates, and depresses the scapula.

Latissimus Dorsi

Muscle that adducts, extends, and internally rotates the arm.

Rhomboid Major

Muscle that retracts the scapula.

Rhomboid Minor

Muscle that rotates and retracts the scapula.

Levator Scapulae

Muscle that elevates the scapula.

Serratus Posterior Superior

Muscle that elevates the ribs.

Serratus Posterior Inferior

Muscle that depresses the ribs.

Splenius Capitis

Muscle that extends, rotates, and laterally flexes the head.

Erector Spinae Group

Muscles that extend the vertebral column.

Iliocostalis

Lateral muscle of the erector spinae group, attaches spinous processes to ribs.

Longissimus

Intermediate muscle of the erector spinae group, attaches transverse processes.

Spinalis

Medial muscle of the erector spinae group, attaches spinous processes to each other.

Transversospinalis Group

Muscles that connect adjacent vertebrae.

Rotatores

Muscles found between the transverse processes.

Deltoid

Muscle that abducts, flexes, and extends the arm.

Teres Major

Muscle that adducts, medially rotates, and extends the arm.

Teres Minor

Muscle responsible for lateral rotation of the arm.

Infraspinatus

Muscle that laterally rotates the arm.

Supraspinatus

Muscle that abducts and rotates the arm.

Subscapularis

Muscle that internally rotates and adducts the humerus.

Serratus Anterior

Muscle that protracts and stabilizes the scapula.

Rotator Cuff

Group of muscles including supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

Interspinalis

Muscles that extend the vertebral column.

Intertransversarii

Muscles that facilitate lateral flexion of the vertebral column.

Oblique Capitis Superior

Muscle that extends and rotates the head.

Oblique Capitis Inferior

Muscle that rotates the head to the same side.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Major

Muscle that extends and rotates the head.

Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor

Synergist of rectus capitis posterior major.

Dura Mater

Outermost layer of the meninges that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Arachnoid Membrane

Middle layer of the meninges, located between the dura mater and pia mater.

Pia Mater

Innermost layer of the meninges, attached to the spinal cord.

Denticulate Ligament

Ligaments anchoring the spinal cord to the dura mater.

Spinal Ganglion

Cluster of neurons in the dorsal root of a spinal nerve.

Spinal Nerve

Mixed nerve carrying motor, sensory, and autonomic signals.

Dorsal Root

Carries sensory information to the spinal cord.

Ventral Root

Carries motor information from the spinal cord.

Conus Medullaris

The tapered end of the spinal cord.

Cauda Equina

So-called 'horsetail' of spinal nerve roots extending from the conus medullaris.

Filum Terminale

Extension of the pia mater anchoring the spinal cord to the coccyx.

Gluteus Maximus

Muscle that extends and laterally rotates the thigh.

Gluteus Medius

Muscle that abducts and medially rotates the thigh.

Gluteus Minimus

Muscle that also abducts and medially rotates the thigh.

Piriformis

Muscle that laterally rotates the thigh.

Superior Gemellus

Muscle that laterally rotates the thigh.

Inferior Gemellus

Muscle that laterally rotates the thigh.

Obturator Internus

Muscle that laterally rotates the thigh.

Quadratus Femoris

Muscle that laterally rotates the thigh.

Sciatic Nerve

Nerve that supplies the posterior thigh muscles.

Abduction of Thumb

Occurs in the sagittal plane.

Opposition of Thumb

Bringing the thumb to each digit.

Spinal Reflex Arc

Pathway of sensory impulses from receptors to effectors without involvement of the brain.

Monosynaptic Reflex

Reflex involving a single synapse between sensory and motor neurons.

Polysynaptic Reflex

Reflex involving one or more interneurons between sensory and motor neurons.

Dermatome

Area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve.

Lumbar Puncture

Procedure to remove cerebrospinal fluid for examination.

Spina Bifida

Congenital condition where the spine does not close completely.

Epithelial Tissue

Type of tissue that covers body surfaces and lines cavities.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports, binds, and protects other tissues.

Muscle Tissue

Type of tissue that produces movement when contracted.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that transmits impulses and includes neurons.

Stratum Corneum

Most superficial layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead cells.

Stratum Lucidum

Thin layer of dead skin cells found only in thick skin.

Stratum Granulosum

Layer where keratinocytes begin to die and accumulate keratin.