Chapter 1 – Organization of the Human Body – Terms to Know

Biology

Scientific study of life.

Anatomy

Study of structures of the human body.

Physiology

Study of functions of the human body.

Cytology

Study of cells.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Microscopic

Requires magnification to study structures.

Macroscopic

Things visible with the unaided eye.

Scientific method

Logical and systematic approach to discovering principles of nature.

Hypothesis

A statement used as a proposed explanation for a scientific problem.

Theory

A scientific idea that has a reasonably high degree of confidence after rigorous testing or observation.

Eponym

Terms that are based on a person's name.

Responsiveness

Ability of an organism to sense, monitor, and respond to changes in internal and external environment.

Conductivity

Ability of cells to transmit a wave of electrical disturbance from one point to another.

Growth

Organized increase in size and number of cells.

Respiration

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between organism and environment.

Circulation

Movement of fluids from one body area to another in a continuous and complete route through hollow vessels.

Digestion

Ability to break down complex food products into simple substances that can be absorbed and used by body cells.

Absorption

Movement of molecules through a membrane and into body fluids for transport to cells.

Secretion

Production and release of substances for diverse body functions.

Excretion

Removal of waste products.

Reproduction

Formation of new individual offspring.

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions of the body.

Atom

Smallest stable unit of matter.

Molecule

Group of atoms bonded together.

Cell

Smallest structure that performs all vital life functions.

Organelle

"Subcellular" structures, like little organs of a cell, each with individual structures and functions.

Tissue

Two or more cell types working together for a common function.

Organ

Two or more tissues working together for a common function.

Organ systems

Two or more organs working together for a common function.

Integumentary system

Skin, hair, nails & glands; protection, temperature regulation and sensation.

Skeletal system

Bones & ligaments; support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production.

Muscular system

Skeletal muscles & tendons; movement, posture & heat production.

Nervous system

Brain, spinal cord, nerves & sensory organs; immediate control, regulation and coordination of other organ systems, sensation and memory.

Endocrine system

Pituitary gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, thyroid, hypothalamus and others; long term control and regulation of other systems.

Cardiovascular system

Heart, blood & vessels; exchange and transport of materials.

Lymphatic system

Lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, spleen, thymus & tonsils; immunity & fluid balance.

Respiratory system

Lungs, bronchial tree, trachea, larynx & nasal cavity; movement of air, acid-base balance.

Digestive system

Stomach, small & large intestines, esophagus, liver, mouth & pancreas; breakdown & absorption of nutrients, elimination of waste.

Urinary system

Kidney, ureter, bladder & urethra; excretion of waste, fluid & electrolyte balance, acid-base balance.

Reproductive system

Males: testes, ductus deferens, prostate, penis; Females: ovaries, uterine tubes, vagina, mammary glands; reproduction, continuing of genetic information, nurturing offspring.

Organism

All 11 organ systems collectively together as one cohesive unit.

Anatomical position

Standing posture with feet and head facing forward, arms at the sides and palms facing forward.

Ventral body cavities

Includes thoracic cavity & abdominopelvic cavity, belly side.

Dorsal body cavities

Includes cranial & spinal cavities, spine side.

Thoracic cavity

Region of body trunk superior to diaphragm, includes pleural cavities, pericardial cavity & mediastinum.

Pleural cavities

Regions within left and right sides of thoracic cavity that contain each lung.

Pericardial cavity

Region within thoracic cavity that contains heart.

Mediastinum

Region within thoracic cavity between the pleural cavities.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Region of body trunk inferior to diaphragm, includes abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Upper portion of abdominopelvic cavity, contains liver, gall bladder, stomach, pancreas, intestines, spleen, kidneys.

Pelvic cavity

Lower portion of abdominopelvic cavity, contains reproductive organs and part of large intestine.

Cranial cavity

Region within skull that contains brain.

Spinal cavity

Region within spinal column that contains spinal cord.

Oral cavity

Contains teeth and tongue.

Nasal cavity

Contains nose and sinuses.

Orbital cavity

Contains eyes.

Middle ear cavity

Contains bones of middle ear.

Parietal

Refers to the inside wall of a body cavity, or the membrane that covers this wall.

Visceral

Refers to the internal organs or the membrane that covers these organs.

Axial

Long axis of the body, includes head, neck and trunk.

Appendicular

The shoulder and arms & hips and legs.

Superior

Upper or above.

Inferior

Lower or below.

Anterior

Front.

Posterior

Back.

Medial

Towards the midline.

Lateral

Towards the sides (away from the midline).

Proximal

Closer to the attachment.

Distal

Farther from attachment (think distant).

Superficial

Closer to the surface.

Deep

Farther away from surface.

Lumen

Hollow, open interior of organ or tube.

Central

Near the center or middle.

Peripheral

Near the surface or outside.

Medullary

Inner region of an organ.

Cortical

Outer region of an organ.

Apical

Narrow tip of organ.

Basal

Base or widest part of organ.

Oblique

On an angle.

Hypochondriac region

Upper lateral abdominopelvic region.

Lumbar region

Middle lateral abdominopelvic region.

Inguinal region

Lower lateral abdominopelvic region.

Epigastric region

Upper medial abdominopelvic region.

Umbilical region

Middle medial abdominopelvic region.

Hypogastric region

Lower medial abdominopelvic region.

Sagittal plane

Line dividing into right and left pieces.

Coronal plane (aka frontal plane)

Line dividing into front and back pieces.

Transverse plane (aka horizontal plane)

Line dividing into top and bottom pieces.

Abdominal

Anterior torso below diaphragm.

Acromial

Shoulder.

Antebrachial

Forearm.

Antecubital

Depressed area in front of elbow.

Axillary

Armpit.

Brachial

Upper part of arm.

Buccal

Cheek (inside).

Calcaneal

Heel of foot.

Carpal

Wrist.

Cephalic

Head.

Cervical

Neck.

Coxal

Hip.