BSC 2085 Lab 1 Notes: Anatomical Terminology, Cell Structure, Microscope, Tissues

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering anatomical position, body regions, directional terms, planes, body cavities, organization levels, cell structure, microscope, and tissues.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference posture: standing erect, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms facing forward.

Axial Region

Body region that includes the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Region

Body region that includes the limbs and the bones that attach them to the axial skeleton.

Cranial (Cephalic)

Pertaining to the skull or head.

Frontal

Forehead region; part of the anterior facial area.

Orbital

Eye socket region.

Buccal

Cheek region.

Mental

Chin region.

Nasal

Nose region.

Oral

Mouth region.

Cervical

Neck region.

Nuchal

Back of the neck region.

Acromial

Shoulder region.

Axillary

Armpit region.

Pectoral

Chest region.

Sternal

Breastbone region.

Abdominal

Abdominal region.

Umbilical

Naval/belly button region.

Coxal

Hip region.

Inguinal

Groin region.

Pubic

Mons pubis region.

Scapular

Shoulder blade region.

Vertebral

Spinal region.

Lumbar

Lower back region.

Sacral

Sacral region.

Gluteal

Buttock region.

Dorsum of hand

Back of the hand region.

Brachial

Arm region.

Cubital

Elbow region.

Antebrachial

Forearm region.

Carpal

Wrist region.

Manual

Hand region.

Digital

Fingers region.

Femoral

Thigh region.

Patellar

Knee cap region.

Crural

Leg region.

Pedal

Foot region.

Tarsal

Ankle region.

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure.

Inferior

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

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the outer side.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of a body part or the point of attachment.

Distal

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

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Sagittal Plane

Plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

Sagittal plane that lies on the midline, dividing the body into equal right and left parts.

Parasagittal Plane

Plane that divides the body into unequal right and left parts.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal Cavity

Cavity that includes the cranial and vertebral (spinal) cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Space that houses the brain.

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

Space that houses the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Body cavity that includes the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities, separated by the diaphragm.

Thoracic Cavity

Cavity containing the lungs and heart.

Pericardial Cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart.

Pleural Membranes

Membranes surrounding the lungs.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Cavity that contains digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

Diaphragm

Muscular sheet that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Levels of Organization

Hierarchy: Atoms, Molecules, Cells, Tissues, Organs, Organ Systems, Organism.

Atoms

The basic units of matter that combine to form molecules.

Molecules

Chemical structures built from atoms.

Cells

The basic living units of life; many types with membrane, organelles, and cytosol.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells that perform a common function.

Organs

Structures made of two or more tissue types that perform a specific task.

Organ Systems

Groups of organs that work closely together.

Organism

A living being made up of multiple organ systems.

Cell

The basic unit of life; contains membrane, organelles, and cytosol.

Plasma Membrane

Outermost cell boundary; phospholipid bilayer with proteins; controls entry/exit.

Cytosol

Gel-like intracellular fluid within the cell.

Cytoplasm

Cytosol plus the cell’s organelles.

Nucleus

Organelle containing genetic material; controls cellular activities.

Chromosomes

DNA-containing structures that carry genes.

Nucleolus

Site of ribosome production within the nucleus.

Nuclear Envelope

Membrane surrounding the nucleus.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Membrane system; Rough ER has ribosomes; Smooth ER lacks ribosomes.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

ER with ribosomes; synthesizes and transports proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

ER without ribosomes; synthesizes lipids and modifies proteins.

Ribosomes

Sites of protein synthesis; can be free or attached to ER.

Golgi Apparatus

Packages and ships proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids in vesicles.

Lysosomes

Vesicles with digestive enzymes that break down old organelles.

Mitochondria

Organelles that generate ATP; the cell’s energy source.

Centrioles

Key players in mitosis; form spindle fibers.

Centrosome

Organizing center for microtubules; contains centrioles.

Peroxisome

Vesicles containing enzymes for detoxification.

Cytoskeleton

Network of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.

Areolar (Loose) Connective Tissue

Most common connective tissue; loose matrix with fibroblasts.

Adipose Tissue

Fat tissue; adipocytes with peripheral nuclei.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Network of reticular fibers that supports lymphoid organs.

Dense Fibrous Connective Tissue

Tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses with dense collagen fibers.

Epithelial Tissue

Closely packed cells; avascular; free and basal surfaces; high mitotic rate.

Matrix (Extracellular Matrix)

Non-cellular substance surrounding cells; varies from fluid to solid.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

One layer of flat cells; found in glomeruli, alveoli, vessels.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

One layer of cube-shaped cells; found in kidney tubules, glands, ovarian surface.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

One layer of tall cells; may have goblet cells and/or cilia.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of cells of different heights; appears stratified.

Transitional Epithelium

Stratified; stretches; found in ureters, bladder, urethra.