Basic Elements of Anatomy for Speech, Language, and Hearing

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the basic elements of anatomy, anatomical planes, tissue types, the nervous system, and the framework of respiration.

Anatomy

The study of STRUCTURE of organisms and the relation of their parts.

Physiology

The science dealing with FUNCTION of living organisms and their parts.

Histology

The study of cell structure of tissue.

Clinical Anatomy

Anatomy as related to pathological entity, and especially as related to surgery.

Comparative Anatomy

Anatomy that studies interspecies comparisons.

Embryology (Developmental Anatomy)

Anatomy with reference to the period from conception to birth.

Descriptive Anatomy

Anatomy as related to the systems of the body.

System

A group of organs that function together for some purpose.

Betz cells

Special groups of motor neurons in the cortex that provide the initial response from the conscious brain.

Coronal plane

An anatomical plane creating front and back halves.

Sagittal plane

An anatomical plane creating left and right halves.

Transverse plane

An anatomical plane creating upper and lower halves.

Superior

The upper point of orientation.

Inferior

The lower point of orientation.

Anterior

Toward the front of a part.

Posterior

Toward the back of a part.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or attached end.

Distal

Further from the trunk or attached end.

Adduct

To draw toward the midline.

Abduct

To draw away from the midline.

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back.

Ventral

Pertaining to the belly.

Medial

Toward the midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Caudal

Toward the tail.

Cranial/Rostral

Toward the head or toward the nose/beak.

Aponeurosis

A sheet-like tendon.

Articulation

The point of union between two structures; also known as a joint.

Belly

The fleshy portion of a muscle.

Cartilage

Connective tissue embedded in a matrix, capable of withstanding compressive and tensile forces.

Fascia

Fibrous tissue encasing muscle.

Foramen

An opening or passageway.

Fossa

A depression or groove.

Origin

The portion of a muscle that is relatively immobile during contraction.

Insertion

The portion of a muscle that is relatively mobile during contraction.

Ligament

Fibrous connective tissue connecting bones and cartilage.

Tendon

Connective tissue attaching muscle to bone or cartilage.

Tissue

An aggregate of cells of the same type with functional unity.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A single layer of pavement-like cells lining blood vessels, heart muscle, and alveoli.

Basement membrane

A support structure made of collagen that underlies epithelium, especially important in the vocal folds.

Areolar tissue

An elastic connective tissue that supports organs and is found between muscles.

Hyaline cartilage

Bluish-white cartilage found on articulating surfaces of bones, ribs, larynx, and trachea.

Somatic Muscle

Also known as voluntary or striated muscle; associated with conscious movement.

Visceral Muscle

Smooth, involuntary muscle associated with autonomic functions such as digestion.

Fast twitch muscle fibers

Fibers that contract quickly for fine movement but fatigue easily.

Slow twitch muscle fibers

Fibers used for larger movements and maintaining posture; exert greater force and have greater endurance.

Agonist

The muscle that performs the intended action (prime mover).

Antagonist

A muscle that opposes the intended action.

Neurons

Nervous tissue cells responsible for transferring information and communication.

Glial cells

Cells responsible for nutrient transfer, blood-brain barrier maintenance, waste removal, and structural support.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Nervous system division consisting of the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, diencephalon, brainstem, and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nervous system division consisting of the cranial nerves and spinal nerves.

Sympathetic Nervous System

An autonomic division responsible for excitatory responses to stimulation.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

An autonomic division responsible for damping responses following excitation, such as heart deceleration.

Action potential ($AP$)

The all-or-nothing electrical impulse by which neurons communicate.

Synapse

The space between two neurons where communication occurs via neurotransmitters.

Sliding Filament Model

The process where actin and myosin filaments slide past each other to shorten a muscle during contraction.

Respiration

The exchange of gas between an organism and its environment.

Trachea

A cartilaginous tube containing $16-20$ rings open in the posterior, connected by smooth muscle.

Alveolus

A socket or cavity at the end of the bronchial tree where gas exchange occurs via surrounding capillary beds.

Mediastinum

The middle space within the thoracic cavity in which the heart resides.

Costal (parietal) pleurae

An epithelial lining on the inner surface of the rib cage.

Visceral pleurae

An epithelial lining on the outer surface of the lungs.

Surfactant

A slippery fluid between parietal and visceral pleurae that reduces surface tension.

Atlas ($C1$)

The first cervical vertebra upon which the skull rests.

Axis ($C2$)

The second cervical vertebra, containing the odontoid process.

Sternum

The breastbone, consisting of the manubrium, corpus, and xiphoid process.

True Ribs

Ribs $1-7$ that articulate directly with the sternum.

False Ribs

Ribs $8-10$ that articulate with the sternum via costal cartilage.

Floating Ribs

Ribs $11-12$ that do not articulate with the sternum.