Anatomy and Cell Biology Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational terminology in human anatomy, body systems, anatomical positions, directional terms, body cavities, cell structure and function, integumentary system layers, and skull anatomy.

Anatomy

Study of the internal and external structures of the human body.

Physiology

Study of body function.

Microscopic anatomy

Study of structures too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Histology

Study of tissues; a branch of microscopic anatomy.

Gross anatomy

Study of structures large enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Embryology

Study of development before birth.

Developmental anatomy

Study of structural changes throughout development.

Radiographic anatomy

Study of body structures using medical imaging.

Neuroanatomy

Study of the anatomy of the nervous system.

Pathological anatomy

Study of structural changes caused by disease.

Surface anatomy

Study of superficial anatomical markings.

Systemic anatomy

Study of anatomy by organ system.

Regional anatomy

Study of anatomy by body region.

Anatomical terminology

The fundamental language of medicine used to describe body structures.

Integumentary system

Skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and oil glands.

Skeletal system

Bones, cartilage, joints, and ligaments.

Muscular system

Skeletal muscles and tendons.

Cardiovascular system

Heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic system

Lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic vessels, and lymph nodes.

Male reproductive system

Produces sperm and male sex hormones.

Testes

Produce sperm and male sex hormones.

Vas deferens

An accessory structure of the male reproductive system.

Female reproductive system

Produces eggs and female sex hormones.

Ovaries

Produce eggs and female sex hormones.

Anatomical position

Body erect and facing forward; feet slightly apart with toes forward; arms at sides with palms facing forward and thumbs pointing away from the body.

Frontal/coronal plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right portions.

Horizontal/transverse/axial plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Axial portion

The central portion of the body consisting of the head, neck, and trunk.

Trunk

The portion of the body consisting of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Toward or at the surface of the body.

Deep

Away from the surface of the body; more internal.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body.

Dorsal body cavity

Consists of the cranial cavity and vertebral cavity.

Ventral body cavity

Consists of the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Cranial cavity

Contains the brain.

Vertebral cavity

Contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Contains the lungs and mediastinum.

Pleural cavities

The two lateral cavities of the thorax that contain the lungs.

Mediastinum

The central region of the thoracic cavity.

Pericardial cavity

The cavity surrounding the heart.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Consists of the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Contains most digestive organs and several other organs such as the kidneys.

Pelvic cavity

Contains the urinary bladder, internal reproductive organs, and rectum.

Serous cavity

A slit-like potential space lined by a serous membrane and containing serous fluid.

Serous membrane

A membrane that lines certain body cavities and covers organs within them.

Parietal layer

Covers the internal body walls.

Visceral layer

Covers the external surface of internal organs.

Serous fluid

Fluid that reduces friction between organs and surrounding surfaces.

Pericardium

Serous membrane associated with the heart.

Pleurae

Serous membranes associated with the lungs.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane associated with the abdominopelvic cavity.

Cell

The smallest structural and functional unit capable of independent existence under the right conditions.

Plasma membrane

Acts as a barrier, houses membrane receptors, and determines what enters and exits the cell.

Cytoplasm

The region of the cell containing the cytosol and organelles outside the nucleus.

Simple diffusion

Movement of particles down their concentration gradient without using ATP.

Osmosis

Movement of water down its concentration gradient across a selectively permeable membrane.

Facilitated diffusion

Movement of water-soluble or charged particles down their concentration gradient through a channel or carrier protein.

Active transport

Movement of substances against their concentration gradient using ATP.

Bulk membrane transport

Movement of large substances into or out of the cell using vesicles.

Endocytosis

Bulk transport of substances into the cell.

Phagocytosis

Endocytosis in which the cell engulfs large particles or materials.

Pinocytosis

Endocytosis in which the cell takes in extracellular fluid and dissolved substances.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Endocytosis in which specific substances bind to membrane receptors before entering the cell.

Exocytosis

Bulk transport of substances out of the cell.

Ribosome

Site of protein synthesis.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

RER; studded with ribosomes and manufactures secreted proteins and integral membrane proteins.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

SER; lacks ribosomes and functions in lipid manufacture and other processes.

Golgi apparatus

Sorts, modifies, packages, and directs proteins to where they need to go.

Lysosomes

Digest cellular materials and substances brought into the cell.

Peroxisomes

Help break down substances and manage toxic waste.

Mitochondria

Generate ATP for cellular energy.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein filaments that provides structural support and allows movement.

Microfilaments

Protein filaments made of actin that help change cell shape and allow cell movement.

Intermediate filaments

Stable protein filaments that provide structural support and high tensile strength.

Microtubules

Protein filaments made of tubulin that help move organelles.

Nucleus

Protects and stores genetic material in eukaryotic cells.

Nuclear envelope

The membrane surrounding the nucleus.

Nucleoli

Sites of ribosome assembly from rRNA and ribosomal proteins.

Cell division

The process by which a cell divides to produce new cells.

Cellular differentiation

The process by which cells become specialized for specific functions.

Fibroblast

A cell that produces components of the extracellular matrix.

Mature red blood cell

Erythrocyte; lacks a nucleus and other organelles.

Hemoglobin

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and helps transport carbon dioxide.

Macrophage

An immune cell that engulfs and digests foreign materials, pathogens, and cellular debris.

Pseudopods

Temporary extensions of the cell membrane and cytoplasm that allow movement and engulfment of particles.

Plasma cell

An immune cell that secretes antibodies.

Kidney tubule cells

Cells with millions of active sodium-potassium pumps in their basal plasma membrane.

Keratinocytes

The primary cells of the epidermis that produce keratin.

Keratin

A tough protein produced by keratinocytes that helps protect the skin.

Cornification

Process in which keratinocytes mature, fill with keratin, die, and form a tough waterproof layer.