Alden Physiology Glossary

Anatomy

'Ana' = apart, 'tomy' = to cut; the study of body structures.

Endocrine system

Secretes hormones into blood via glands to regulate body functions like growth and reproduction.

Excretion

The process of removing excreta, or wastes, from the body.

Gross anatomy

Study of large, observable body features.

Integumentary system

Waterproofs body, cushions organs, produces vitamin D, regulates temperature, and excretes waste.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions that occur within the body and its cells.

Pharynx

Throat.

Physiology

Refers to function; 'how' body parts work.

Skeletal muscles

Muscles that are attached to bones.

Anterior

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or point of attachment.

Inferior

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

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Posterior

Toward or at the backside of the body; behind.

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part or point of attachment.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure; above.

Abdominal (region)

Anterior body trunk inferior to ribs.

Acromial

Point of shoulder.

Antebrachial

Forearm.

Antecubital

Anterior surface of elbow.

Axillary

Armpit.

Brachial

Arm.

Buccal

Cheek area.

Carpal

Wrist.

Cervical

Neck region.

Coxal

Hip.

Crural

Anterior leg; the shin.

Deltoid (region)

Curve of shoulder formed by large deltoid muscle.

Digital

Fingers; toes.

Femoral (anterior)

Thigh (anterior).

Fibular

Lateral part of the leg.

Frontal (region)

Forehead.

Inguinal

Area where thigh meets body trunk; groin.

Mental (region)

Chin.

Nasal

Nose area.

Oral

Mouth.

Orbital

Eye area.

Patellar

Anterior knee.

Pectoral

Relating to or occurring in or on the chest.

Pelvic (region)

Area overlying the pelvis anteriorly.

Pubic

Genital region.

Sternal

Breastbone area.

Tarsal

Ankle region.

Thoracic (region)

Chest area between neck and abdomen, supported by ribs and sternum.

Umbilical

Navel.

Calcaneal

Heel of foot.

Cephalic

Head.

Femoral (posterior)

Thigh (posterior).

Gluteal

Buttock.

Lumbar

Area of back between ribs and hips; the loin.

Occipital

Posterior surface of head or base of skull.

Olecranal

Posterior surface of elbow.

Popliteal

Posterior knee area.

Sacral

Area between hips at base of spine.

Scapular

Shoulder blade region.

Sural

Posterior surface of leg; the calf.

Vertebral

Area of spinal column.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Separates anterior from posterior (e.g., back of head from eyes).

Median (midsagittal) plane

Separates body into left and right halves (e.g., eyes, arms, legs).

Transverse (axial) plane

Separates superior from inferior (e.g., head from feet).

Abdominal cavity

Contains stomach, liver, intestines, and other organs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Contains stomach, liver, intestines; divided into abdominal and pelvic cavities; muscle walls.

Cavity

A fluid-filled space that protects enclosed organs (main types: dorsal and ventral).

Dorsal cavity

Holds the cranial cavity (brain) and spinal cavity (spinal cord).

Mediastinum

Central area of thoracic cavity separating lungs; contains heart and trachea.

Pelvic cavity

Contains reproductive organs and bladder.

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity surrounded by rib cage containing heart and lungs, separated by diaphragm.

Ventral cavity

Front cavity divided into thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Control center

Analyzes received information and determines the appropriate response.

Dynamic equilibrium

Moving change involving multiple organs, coordinated by nervous and endocrine systems.

Effector

Carries out the response determined by the control center.

Homeostasis

Process of maintaining stable internal conditions (temp, water, BP) controlled by hypothalamus.

Negative feedback

Feedback mechanism where the effector produces a response that REDUCES the original change.

Positive feedback

Feedback mechanism that INCREASES the original change; does not maintain homeostasis.

Receptor

Sensor that detects changes in the environment and responds to stimuli.