Anatomy and cells

Pt. 1 of lab practical 1 flashcards

Anatomical Position

the body standing upright, with the feet at shoulder width and parallel, toes forward. The upper limbs are held out to each side, and the palms of the hands face forward

Anterior (ventral)

• Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body.

• Ex: The toes are found on the anterior portion of the foot.

Posterior (dorsal)

• Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. 

• Ex: The spinal column is posterior to the sternum.

Superior (cranial)

• Describes a position above or higher than another part of the body. Superior and cranial can often be used interchangeably though cranial is used to specifically refer to a structure near or toward the head.

• Ex: The eyes are superior to the mouth.

Inferior (caudal)

• Describes a position below or lower than another part of the body. Inferior and caudal can often be used interchangeably though caudal is used to specifically refer to a structure near or toward the tail.

• Ex: The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.

Lateral

• Describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.

• Ex: The thumb is lateral to the other digits.

Medial

• Describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

• Ex: The big toe is the most medial toe.

Proximal

• Describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

• Ex: The upper arm is proximal to the wrist.

Distal

• Describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

• Ex: The foot is distal to the thigh.

Superficial

• Describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

• Ex: The skin is superficial to the bones.

Deep

• Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

• Ex: The brain is deep to the skull.

Contralateral

• Describes structures found on opposite sides of the body (right vs. left side).

• Ex: The right foot is contralateral to the left arm.

Ipsilateral

• Describes structures found on the same side of the body.

• The right hand and right shoulder are ipsilateral.

Frontal plane

Divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion. The frontal plane is sometimes referred to as a coronal plane.

Transverse plane

Divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions. Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections.

Oblique plane

A section that is any type of angle other than horizontal or vertical angle.

Midsagittal (median) plane

Divides the body or organ vertically into two equal left and right sides down the middle of the body.

Parasagittal plane

Divides the body or organ vertically into two unequal left and right sides. Not in the middle.

Cranial Cavity

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that houses and protects the brain within the skull.

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that encloses and protects the spinal cord within the vertebral column.

Thoracic Cavity

The superior subdivision of the ventral cavity, enclosed by the rib cage, that contains the lungs and heart.

Pleural Cavities

Small cavities within the thoracic cavity that each surround and contain one lung.

Pericardial Cavity

A cavity within the thoracic cavity that surrounds and contains the heart.

Abdominal Cavity

The superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity that primarily contains digestive organs.

Pelvic Cavity

The inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity that primarily contains reproductive organs.

Nucleus

Contains the cell’s DNA and directs cellular functions.

Mitochondrion

Converts energy storage molecules into the major energy molecule, ATP, to power cellular function

Ribosome

Protein synthesis

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Includes ribosomes for the synthesis and modification of proteins

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Lipid synthesis

Golgi apparatus

Sorts, modifies, and ships products from the endoplasmic reticulum

Lysosome

Contains digestive enzymes to break down materials

Peroxisome

Contains enzymes key for lipid metabolism and chemical detoxification

Interphase

The longest phase of the cell cycle during which the cell grows, performs normal functions, and prepares for division.

Stages of Interphase

• G1 Phase

• S Phase

• G2 Phase

• G0 Phase

G1 Phase

The first growth phase of interphase where the cell grows and carries out normal metabolic activities; length of this phase varies greatly.

S Phase

The phase of interphase during which the cell replicates its DNA so each daughter cell will receive a complete set.

G2 Phase

The second growth phase of interphase where the cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis.

GO Phase

A resting phase in which cells have temporarily or permanently stopped dividing, such as nerve cells.

Mitosis

The division of the cell’s nucleus that results in two identical nuclei.

Stages of Mitosis

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and spindle fibers begin to form.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids line up at the center of the cell along the metaphase plate.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where two new nuclei form, chromosomes uncoil back into chromatin, and the spindle breaks down.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm, where a cleavage furrow forms and the cell splits into two separate daughter cells.

Order of all phases

• G1 (grow) → S (copy DNA) → G2 (prepare) → Prophase (condense) → Metaphase (line up) → Anaphase (pull apart) → Telophase (two nuclei) → Cytokinesis (split)