Anatomy & Physiology I Lab — Levels of Structural Organization and Body Planes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the anatomy & physiology notes, including levels of structural organization, organ systems, body planes, cavities, and anatomical terms.

Anatomy

Branch of science dealing with the structure and physical relationships of body parts; includes location, shape, and organization.

Physiology

Study of the functions of body parts and systems.

Chemical level

First level of structural organization; atoms and molecules form matter.

Atom

Tiny building blocks of matter; the simplest unit of an element.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together; example: H2O.

Macromolecule

Large biomolecule such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

Macromolecule category that provides energy and structural support; example sugars and starches.

Proteins

Macromolecules that perform a vast array of functions, including catalysis, structure, and transport.

Lipids

Macromolecules that store energy and make up cell membranes; include fats, oils, and cholesterol.

Nucleic acids

DNA and RNA; store and transmit genetic information.

Organelle

A specialized structure within a cell composed of two or more macromolecules.

Mitochondrion

Organelle that produces energy (ATP) for the cell.

Ribosome

Organelle that synthesizes proteins.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and ships proteins and lipids.

Cytology

Study of cells and their structure.

Cell

Basic unit of life; the fundamental unit of structure and function in organisms.

Tissue

Group of similar cells that work together to perform a common function.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Organ

Structure made of two or more tissue types that work together to perform a function.

Organ system

Group of two or more organs that work together to perform major physiological functions.

Organismal level

Highest level of organization; all organ systems functioning together.

Integumentary system

Protects the body; includes skin, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.

Sweat glands

Glands in the skin that produce sweat for cooling and excretion.

Sebaceous glands

Oil-secreting glands (sebum) in the skin.

Skeletal system

Support and structure; bones, joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Joints

Articulations where two or more bones meet.

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue at joints that cushions bones.

Ligaments

Fibrous tissue connecting bone to bone.

Tendons

Fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone.

Muscular system

System that produces movement and heat; maintains posture.

Nervous system

Control system of the body; responds to internal and external changes.

Neuron

Nerve cell; basic unit of the nervous system.

Receptor

Nerve ending that detects a stimulus (e.g., taste).

Endocrine system

Glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions.

Pancreas (endocrine function)

Gland that helps regulate blood glucose levels by releasing hormones.

Cardiovascular system

Heart and blood vessels that circulate blood through the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels carrying blood toward the heart.

Heart

Muscular pump driving blood through the circulatory system.

Lymphatic/Immunity system

Defends against infection; includes thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen.

Thymus

Lymphoid organ where T cells mature.

Lymph node

Filters lymph as part of immune surveillance.

Spleen

Filters blood and participates in immune responses.

Respiratory system

Keeps blood oxygenated and removes CO2; includes pharynx and larynx.

Pharynx

Throat; passage for air and food.

Larynx

Voice box.

Trachea

Windpipe; conducts air to the lungs.

Digestive system

Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients; includes digestive enzymes from pancreas.

Urinary system

Eliminates waste and conserves water; includes kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood and produce urine.

Ureter

Tube carrying urine from kidney to bladder.

Urinary bladder

Reservoir for urine before excretion.

Male reproductive system

System that produces sperm and hormones (e.g., testes).

Sperm

Male gamete involved in fertilization.

Testes

Gonads that produce sperm and hormones.

Female reproductive system

System that produces ova and hormones (e.g., ovaries).

Ovaries

Gonads that produce eggs and hormones.

Anatomical position

Standard reference posture: standing, facing forward, feet together, palms forward.

Anatomical right and left

Right and left sides of the body from the person’s perspective.

Prone position

Body lying face down.

Supine position

Body lying face up.

Regional terms

Terms describing locations on the body (e.g., anterior, posterior).

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Superior

Above; toward the head.

Inferior

Below; toward the feet.

Deep

Away from the body surface; internal.

Superficial

Near the body surface.

Coronal (frontal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal (median) plane

Divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right portions that are not equal.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Dorsal body cavity

Cavities within the dorsal aspect of the body: cranial cavity and vertebral (spinal) cavity.

Cranial cavity

Cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral (spinal) cavity

Cavity that encloses the spinal cord.

Ventral body cavity

Cavities on the ventral side: thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic (abdominopelvic) cavities.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity housing the heart and lungs; contains pleural and pericardial subdivisions and the mediastinum.

Pleural cavities

Two cavities surrounding the lungs.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity around the heart.

Mediastinum

Central area between the lungs containing the heart, thymus, and other structures.

Abdominopelvic (abdominal and pelvic) cavities

Cavities that contain the digestive and reproductive organs.