Unit 1 Key Terms: Anatomy and Physiology

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering basic human anatomy, tissue types, disease classifications, body cavities, and directional terminology as presented in Unit 1.

Anatomy

The study of the form and structure of an organism.

Connective tissue

The supporting fabric of organs and other body parts; includes two main classes: soft and hard.

Congenital

Acquired during development of the infant in the uterus and present at birth.

Degenerative

A disease type caused by a deterioration of the function or structure of body tissues and organs.

Diagnosis

A determination of the nature of a person's disease.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that forms the skin and parts of the secreting glands and that lines the body cavities.

Etiology

The study of the cause of a disease.

Infectious

A disease type caused by a pathogenic organism such as a bacteria or virus.

Inherited

A disease transmitted from parents to child genetically.

Muscle tissue

Body tissue composed of fibers that produce movement.

Nerve tissue

Body tissue that conducts or transmits impulses throughout the body.

Pathophysiology

The study of how disease occurs and the responses of living organisms to disease processes.

Physiology

The study of the processes or functions of living organisms.

Prognosis

A prediction regarding the probable outcome of a disease.

System

A group of organs and other parts that work together to perform a certain function.

Organ

A body part made of tissues that have joined together to perform a special function.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that join together to perform a particular function.

Abdominal cavity

A body cavity consisting of the upper abdominal cavity (containing the stomach, liver, gallbladder, etc.) and the lower pelvic cavity.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The ventral cavity located below the dome shaped muscle called the diaphragm.

Abdominal regions

The division of the abdominal cavity into nine sections, including center regions (epigastric, umbilical, and hypogastric) and side regions (hypochondriac, lumbar, and iliac).

Anterior

Means before or infront of.

Bilateral

Affecting both sides of the body.

Body cavities

Spaces within the body that contain vital organs.

Body planes

Imaginary lines drawn through the body at various parts to separate the body into sections.

Buccal cavity

The mouth.

Caudal

Pertaining to a tail or tail like structure.

Cranial

Pertaining to the skull or cranium.

Cranial cavity

The section of the dorsal cavity that contains the brain.

Deep

Internal: a term that relates to structures within the body.

Directional terms

Terms used to describe the location of body structures and the relationship of one part of the body to another.

Distal

The most distant or farthest from the trunk, center, or midline.

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back: in back of.

Dorsal cavity

One long continuous cavity located on the back of the body divided into the cranial cavity and spinal cavity.

Frontal (coronal) plane

An imaginary line that separates the body into a front section and a back section.

Midsagittal (median) plane

A sagittal plane that runs down the midline of the body into equal halves.

Nasal cavity

The space between the cranium and the roof of the mouth.

Orbital cavity

The body cavity that contains the eyes.

Pelvic cavity

The lower abdominal cavity containing the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and the last part of the large intestine.

Posterior

Toward the back behind.

Proximal

Closest to the point of attachment or area of reference.

Sagittal plane

Imaginary line that divides the body into left and right sections.

Spinal cavity

The section of the dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Superficial

Relates to structures within the body and indicates that the structures are located near the body surface.

Superior

Above on top of or higher than.

Thoracic cavity

The section of the ventral cavity located in the chest that contains the esophagus, trachea, bronchi, lungs, heart, and large blood vessels.

Transverse plane

The imaginary line drawn through the body to separate the body into a top half and a bottom half.

Unilateral

Affecting only one side.

Ventral

The parts of the body that are in the front of the coronal plane or at the front of the body.

Ventral cavities

Body cavities separated into two distinct cavities (thoracic and abdominal) by the diaphragm.

Medial

Situated in the middle, or directed toward the midline or center of a body, object, or system.

Lateral

Relating to, situated at, or directed toward the side.

Inferior

Lower in quality, rank, or value compared to something or someone else.