Foundations of Anatomy Lecture 1

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the foundations of anatomy, including terminology, directional terms, body planes, structural levels, and organ systems.

Anatomy

The study of internal and external structures.

Gross anatomy

The study of the structure and relationship of visible structures.

Microscopic anatomy

The study of the structure of microscopic structures.

Physiology

The study of how structures function.

Situs Inversus

A congenital condition where the major visceral organs are reversed or mirrored from their normal positions, occurring in approximately 1/10,000 people.

Autosomal recessive

The genetic inheritance pattern by which Situs Inversus is typically acquired.

Electrolytes

Atoms in the body that carry a positive or negative charge.

Macromolecules

Large molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Cell

The smallest unit of life, which can be differentiated within the human body.

Tissues

Collections of the same type of cell working together to perform a specific job.

Organs

Collections of tissues working together to perform a specific job.

Organ systems

Collections of organs working together to perform a job.

Anatomical Position

A standard body position where the individual stands with hands at the sides, palms up, and feet together.

Supine

A term for a reclining patient who is lying face up.

Prone

A term for a reclining patient who is lying face down.

Viscera

The specific term for organs found within the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Superior

A directional term meaning up.

Inferior

A directional term meaning down.

Anterior

A directional term meaning the front of the body.

Posterior

A directional term meaning the back of the body.

Cranial

A directional term used in quadrupeds meaning towards the head; equivalent to superior in humans.

Caudal

A directional term used in quadrupeds meaning towards the tail; equivalent to inferior in humans.

Dorsal

A directional term meaning towards the spine; equivalent to posterior in humans.

Ventral

A directional term meaning towards the belly; equivalent to anterior in humans.

Medial

A directional term meaning towards the middle.

Lateral

A directional term meaning away from the middle.

Proximal

A directional term used for limbs meaning towards the trunk.

Distal

A directional term used for limbs meaning away from the trunk.

Superficial

A directional term meaning towards the surface.

Deep

A directional term meaning away from the surface.

Plane

An imaginary flat surface passing through the body used to observe different structures.

Section

A cut made along a plane that allows for the viewing of internal organs.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A plane that divides the anterior body from the posterior body.

Sagittal plane

A plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal line

The specific line that divides the body into equal left and right parts.

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

MR DICEL RUNS

A mnemonic device used to remember the 11 major organ systems: Muscular, Respiratory, Digestive, Integumentary, Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Lymphatic, Reproductive, Urinary, Nervous, and Skeletal.

Integumentary System

The organ system that acts as a barrier, performs thermoregulation via sweat, and handles Vitamin D synthesis.

Muscular System

The organ system that allows for voluntary movement and thermoregulation.

Skeletal System

The organ system that protects organs, provides a body framework, stores calcium and phosphorous, and forms blood cells in the marrow.

Digestive System

The organ system responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream, and expelling solid wastes.

Nervous System

The organ system providing fast control over the body through electrical impulses.

Respiratory System

The organ system that supplies blood with oxygen ($O_2$), removes carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and regulates blood pH.

Cardiovascular System

The organ system where the heart pumps blood and vessels transport nutrients, hormones, and oxygen.

Endocrine System

The organ system responsible for slow-acting control of the body via hormones released by glands.

Lymphatic System

The organ system that picks up fluid leaked into tissues and returns it to the blood while harboring immune cells like lymphocytes.

Urinary System

The organ system that regulates water, electrolyte, and pH homeostasis and removes excess water and wastes.