Anatomy and Tissue Identification Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terms, body cavities, organ systems, planes, regions, and high-yield tissue identification characteristics from lecture notes.

Superior

A directional term meaning above or toward the head.

Inferior

A directional term meaning below or toward the feet.

Anterior (ventral)

A directional term meaning toward the front.

Posterior (dorsal)

A directional term meaning toward the back.

Medial

A directional term meaning toward the midline.

Lateral

A directional term meaning away from the midline.

Proximal

A directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther away from the point of attachment.

Standard Anatomical Position

Standing upright, facing forward with head and eyes forward, feet flat and generally forward, and arms at sides with palms facing forward and thumbs pointing laterally.

Sagittal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

The abdominopelvic quadrant with which the appendix is associated.

Central Abdominopelvic Regions

The region sequence from top to bottom consisting of Epigastric -> Umbilical -> Hypogastric.

Thoracic Cavity

The body cavity containing the heart and lungs.

Abdominal Cavity

The body cavity containing the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, and much of the intestines.

Digestive System

The organ system that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Respiratory System

The organ system that brings oxygen in and removes carbon dioxide.

Urinary System

The organ system that filters blood, removes waste in urine, and regulates water and electrolytes.

Lymphatic System

The organ system that returns excess tissue fluid, supports immune defense, filters lymph, and transports certain absorbed fats.

Apical Surface

The exposed or free side of an epithelial tissue layer.

Basal Surface

The bottom side of an epithelial tissue layer facing toward the basement membrane or underlying tissue.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Tissue featuring one thin layer of flat, scale-like cells that enables rapid diffusion and filtration in the lung alveoli.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Tissue featuring a single layer of cube-shaped cells with round central nuclei that functions in secretion and absorption in kidney tubules.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Tissue featuring a single layer of tall cells with basal nuclei that functions in absorption and secretion in the small intestine.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Tissue with nuclei at different heights where all cells contact the basement membrane, often ciliated with goblet cells, functioning to secrete and move mucus in the trachea.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Tissue featuring multiple layers with flattened apical cells that protects against abrasion and physical damage in the esophagus.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Loose collagen and elastic fibers with scattered cells (fibroblasts and mast cells) that wraps, cushions, and binds tissues beneath the epithelium.

Adipose Connective Tissue

Tissue composed of large adipocytes with nuclei pushed to cell edges that functions in energy storage, insulation, and cushioning around the kidneys.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Tissue consisting of densely packed parallel collagen fibers with fibroblasts that provides strong attachment and resists pulling in one direction in tendons.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Tissue with thick collagen fibers running in many directions with fibroblasts that provides structural strength against forces from multiple directions in the dermis.

Blood

Tissue consisting of a liquid extracellular matrix (plasma) with floating RBCs, WBCs, and platelets that functions in transport, immune defense, and clotting inside heart chambers and blood vessels.

Hyaline Cartilage

Tissue featuring a firm smooth matrix with chondrocytes in lacunae that provides support, cushioning, and compression resistance in tracheal cartilage rings.