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Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body.

Physiology

The study of how the body functions.

Anatomical position

Standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

Two main divisions of the human body

Axial and appendicular.

Axial portion

Includes head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular portion

Includes arms and legs (upper and lower extremities).

Body cavity

A hollow area of the body that contains organs.

Two major body cavities

Ventral cavity and dorsal cavity.

Cavities of the ventral cavity

Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Separator of thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

The diaphragm.

Cavities of the dorsal cavity

Cranial cavity and spinal canal.

Cranial cavity

Contains the brain.

Spinal canal

Contains the spinal cord.

Superior

Toward the head or above.

Inferior

Below or toward the feet.

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 of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk of the body.

Distal

Farther from the trunk of the body.

Superficial

Toward the surface of the body.

Deep

Away from the surface; internal.

Levels of organization

Atom → Molecule → Cell → Organ → Organ System → Organism.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left sections.

Coronal (frontal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior sections.

Homeostasis

The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment.

Negative feedback

A response that opposes the original stimulus.

Positive feedback

A response that reinforces the original stimulus.