MEDICAL TERM QUIZ 3 BETTER

Anatomical position

That of 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.

Anatomy

Anatomy focuses on structure.

Physiology

Physiology focuses on function.

Homeostasis

The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living things.

Element

All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements.

Atom

The smallest unit of any of these pure substances (elements) is an atom.

Subatomic particles

Atoms are made up of subatomic particles such as the proton, electron, and neutron.

Molecule

Two or more atoms combine to form a molecule, such as the water molecules, proteins, and sugars found in living things.

Cell

A cell is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism.

Organelle

A variety of tiny functioning units called organelles.

Cytoplasm

A water-based cellular fluid.

Tissue

A tissue is a group of many similar cells (though sometimes composed of a few related types) that work together to perform a specific function.

Organ

An organ is an anatomically distinct structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types. Each organ performs one or more specific physiological functions.

Organ system

An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet the physiological needs of the body.

Organism

An organism is a living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life.

Anterior (ventral)

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

Posterior (dorsal)

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

Superior (cranial)

A position above or higher than another part of the body proper.

Inferior (caudal)

A position below or lower than another part of the body proper.

Lateral

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

Medial

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

Proximal

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

Distal

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

Superficial

Describes a position nearer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

Prone

A face-down orientation.

Supine

A face-up orientation.

Brachium

The upper arm.

Antebrachium

The forearm.

Crus

The portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle.

Pollex

The thumb.

Hallux

The great toe.

Cephalic region

The cephalic region is a combination of all the head regions.

Cranial region

The cranial region encompasses the upper part of the head.

Facial region

The facial region encompasses the lower half of the head beginning below the ears.

Ocular region

The eyes are referred to as the ocular region.

Buccal region

The cheeks are referred to as the buccal region.

Auricle or otic region

The ears are referred to as the auricle or otic region.

Nasal region

The nose is referred to as the nasal region.

Mental region

The chin is referred to as the mental region.

Cervical region

The cervical region encompasses the neck.

Thoracic region

The thoracic region encompasses the chest.

Mammary region

The mammary region encompasses each breast.

Abdominal region

The abdominal region encompasses the stomach area.

Coxal region

The coxal region encompasses the beltline.

Pubic region

The pubic region encompasses the area above the genitals.

Umbilicus

The umbilicus, or navel, is located at the center of the abdomen.

Inguinal region

The inguinal or groin region between the legs and the genitals.

Femoral region

The femoral region encompasses the thighs.

Patellar region

The patellar region encompasses the knee.

Crural region

The crural region encompasses the lower leg.

Tarsal region

The tarsal region encompasses the ankle.

Pedal region

The pedal region encompasses the foot.

Digital or phalangeal region

The digital

Axillary region

The axillary region encompasses the armpit.

Brachial region

The brachial region encompasses the upper arm.

Antecubital region

The antecubital region encompasses the front of the elbow.

Carpal region

The carpal region encompasses the wrist.

Palmar region

The palmar region encompasses the palm.

Dorsal region

The dorsal region encompasses the upper back.

Lumbar region

The lumbar region encompasses the lower back.

Acromial region

The acromial region encompasses the shoulder.

Olecranal region

The olecranal region encompasses the back of the elbow.

Gluteal region

The gluteal region encompasses the buttocks.

Popliteal region

The popliteal region encompasses the back of the knee.

Sural region

The sural region encompasses the back of the lower leg.

Plantar region

The plantar region encompasses the sole.

Trunk

The trunk is a combination of the thoracic, mammary, abdominal, naval, and coxal regions.

Sagittal plane

Two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides.

Midsagittal or median plane

If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body, it is called the midsagittal or median plane.

Parasagittal plane

If it divides the body into unequal right and left sides, it is called a parasagittal plane or, less commonly, a longitudinal section.

Frontal or coronal plane

Two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse plane

The transverse plane is the plane that divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions.

Cross-sections

Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross-sections.

Dorsal cavity

The cranial cavity and vertebral cavity together can be referred to as the dorsal body cavity.

Ventral cavity

The thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities together can be referred to as the ventral body cavity.

Cranial cavity

The cranial cavity houses the brain.

Spinal or vertebral cavity

The spinal cavity (or vertebral cavity) encloses the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

The thoracic cavity is the more superior subdivision of the anterior cavity, and it is enclosed by the rib cage.

Mediastinum

The superior mediastinum is a wedge-shaped cavity located between the superior regions of the two thoracic cavities.

Diaphragm

The diaphragm forms the floor of the thoraci