Med.Careers Chap 1

Anatomy

Study of structure of an organism and relationships of its parts

Physiology

Study of functions of living organisms and their parts

Pathology

Scientific study of disease

Homeostasis

The balance of body functions

Chemical level

Atoms and molecules

Cells

Smallest structural 'living' units; organizations of various chemicals

Tissues

Organizations of similar cells

Organs

Organizations of different kinds of tissues

Organ Systems

Organizations of many different kinds of organs

Body (organism)

The whole unit constructed of smaller units

Anatomical position

Reference position in which the body is standing erect with the feet slightly apart and arms at the sides with palms turned forward

Supine

Position of the body lying face up

Prone

Position of the body lying face down

Negative feedback loop

reverse a body response back to a normal state or homeostasis. They are stabilizing and inhibitory

Positive feedback loop

promote change from a normal state and are not often used in a healthy body.

Major cavities of the body

Includes cranial, thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities

Abdominopelvic regions

Nine regions used to describe the location of organs in the abdomen and pelvis

Abdominopelvic quadrants

Four quadrants used to describe the location of organs in the abdomen

Axial subdivision

Includes the head, neck, and trunk

Appendicular subdivision

Includes the limbs and their attachments to the body

Integumentary system

System that includes the skin and its appendages

Nervous system

System that includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves

Skeletal system

System that includes all bones and joints

Endocrine system

System that includes glands that secrete hormones

Muscular system

System that includes all muscles of the body

Cardiovascular system

System that includes the heart and blood vessels

Lymphatic system

System that includes lymph nodes and vessels

Urinary system

System that includes the kidneys and bladder

Respiratory system

System that includes the lungs and airways

Digestive system

System that includes the organs involved in digestion

Reproductive system

System that includes organs involved in reproduction

Sensory system

System that includes organs responsible for the senses

Superior

Toward the head, upper, above

Inferior

Toward the feet, lower, below

Anterior

Front, in front of (same as ventral in humans)

Posterior

Back, in back of (same as dorsal in humans)

Medial

Toward the midline of a structure

Lateral

Away from the midline or toward the side of a structure

Proximal

Toward or nearest the trunk, or nearest the point of origin of a structure

Distal

Away from or farthest from the trunk, or farthest from a structure's point of origin

Superficial

Nearer the body surface

Deep

Farther away from the body surface

Sagittal plane

Lengthwise plane that divides a structure into right and left sections

Midsagittal plane

Sagittal plane that divides the body into two equal halves

Frontal (coronal) plane

Lengthwise plane that divides a structure into anterior and posterior sections

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane that divides a structure into upper and lower sections

Dorsal Cavity

Internal space that holds organs including cranial and spinal cavities

Cranial cavity

The space inside the skull that contains the brain

Spinal cavity

The space inside the spinal cord/column

Ventral Cavity

Internal space that holds organs including thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Thoracic cavity

Contains the heart and lungs

Mediastinum

Midportion of thoracic cavity; heart and trachea located in mediastinum

R&L Pleural cavities

Right lung located in right pleural cavity; left lung in left pleural cavity

Abdominal cavity

Contains digestive organs- stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen

Pelvic cavity

Contains reproductive organs, urinary bladder, and lowest part of intestine

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Contains both abdominal and pelvic cavities

Appendicular region

Upper and lower extremities (limbs)

Serous membranes

Covers viscera and lines thoracic and  abdominopelvic cavities

Parietal membrane

Lines cavity

Visceral membrane

Covers organs

Pleural membrane

Serous membrane that surrounds the lungs in the thoracic cavity

Peritoneum

Serous membrane that surrounds several organs in abdominal cavity

Pericardium

Serous membrane that surrounds the heart

Pectoral

Relating to the chest area

Inguinal

Relating to the groin

Cutaneous

Relating to the skin

Supraclavicular

Above the clavicle

Lumbar

Relating to the lower back

Cubital

Relating to the elbow

Mammary

Relating to the breast

Antecubital

In front of the elbow

Tarsal

Relating to the ankle

Deltoid

Relating to the shoulder

Occipital

Relating to the back of the head

Axillary

Relating to the armpit

Temporal

Relating to the temples of the head

Digital

Relating to the fingers or toes

Olecranal

Relating to the back of the elbow

Antebrachial

Relating to the forearm

Thoracic

Relating to the chest

Dorsal

Relating to the back

Patellar

Relating to the kneecap

Brachial

Relating to the arm

Umbilical

Relating to the navel

Facial

Relating to the face

Pelvic

Relating to the pelvis

Carpal

Relating to the wrist

Femoral

Relating to the thigh

Perineal

Relating to the area between the anus and the genitals

Cephalic

Relating to the head

Gastric

Relating to the stomach

Plantar

Relating to the sole of the foot

Cervical

Relating to the neck

Popliteal

Relating to the back of the knee

Gluteal

Relating to the buttocks

Cranial

Relating to the skull

Hepatic

Relating to the liver

Costal

ribs

Coxal

hip

Crural

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