Basic Body Terms and Organization

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head or upper part of a structure. Example - The head is superior to the abdomen.

2Inferior (Caudal)

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure. Example - The stomach is inferior to the heart.

3Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body. Example-The chest is anterior to the spine.

4Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body. Example-The spine is posterior to the chest.

5Medial

Toward the midline of the body. Example-The heart is medial to the lungs.

6Lateral

Away from the midline of the body. Example-The arms are lateral to the chest.

7Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk. Example-The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

8Distal

Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk. Example- The fingers are distal to the elbow.

9Superficial

Toward or at the body surface. Example- The skin is superficial to the muscles.

1Frontal

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

2Sagittal

Divides the body into left and right parts

2Midsagittal

If the division is exactly in the middle (or median) plane

2Parasagittal

If the division (vertical line) is Off-center

3Transverse

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

1Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.Example- The lungs are deep to the rib cage

Abdominal Cavity

Contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, ureters, and kidneys

Cranial Cavity

The cavity inside the skull, or the cranium, contains the brain.

Pelvic Cavity

Contains the urinary bladder, urethra, part of the large intestine, and the rectum, uterus, and vagina in the female, and prostate in the male.

Spinal Cavity

Consists of the spinal column connecting to the cranial cavity

Thoracic Cavityus gland).

Contains the heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea, and aorta. It is divided into the pleural cavities (surrounding each lung) and the mediastinum (between the lungs, containing the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, and thymus gland).

Structural Unit: Cells

Cells are the basic structural and functional units of all living organisms. They are the smallest units capable of performing life processes and are often referred to as the building blocks of life. Each Cell type includes distinct structures & functions : Prokaryotic Cells - bacteria & archaea Eukaryotic Cells - plant, animal, fungal, protist

Structural Unit: Tissues

Tissues are groups of cells that work together to perform specific functions in the body. They are an organizational level between cells and organs, providing a structural and functional framework for the body's systems. The 4 primary tissues types: Epithelial Tissue - covering and lining surfaces. Muscle Tissue - producing movement Nervous Tissue - transmitting electrical impulses. Connective Tissue - supporting and binding

Structural Unit: Organs

Organs are structures composed of different tissues working together to perform specific functions, such as the heart pumping blood,lungs facilitating gas exchange, kidneys filtering waste, and brain processing sensory information.

Structural Unit: Organ Systems

An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform complex functions essential for the body's overall health and survival, such as the cardiovascularsystem (heart and blood vessels), respiratorysystem (lungs and airways), and digestive system (stomach, intestines, and liver).

Cell Structure

Cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, membrane, cytoplasm, ribosome, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, mitochondria, lysosome, flagellum, cilia

Bacteria

A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease

Viruses

Viruses are tiny infectious agents that rely on living cells to multiply. They may use an animal, plant, or bacteria host to survive and reproduce

Fungi

Fungi are a group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeasts, mushrooms, and toadstools. The Kingdom Fungi is a group of living organisms that are multicellular, eukaryotic, and heterotrophic in nutrition

Protozoa

Protozoa are a group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris. Historically, protozoans were regarded as "one-celled animals”