Anatomy and Physiology: Body Planes, Directional Terms, Cavities, and Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering body planes, directional terms, anatomical regions, body cavities, membranes, homeostasis, and organ systems.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and location of parts of the body (the machinery).

Gross Anatomy

The study of large body structures, subdivided into regional anatomy, systemic anatomy, and surface anatomy.

Cytology

The microscopic study of cells.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Embryology

The branch of developmental anatomy that studies structural changes occurring before birth.

Physiology

The study of the function of body parts and how the machinery works.

Principle of Complementarity

The concept stating that function reflects structure, meaning what a body structure can do depends directly on its specific form.

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that occur in cells that use or release energy. (Both anabolic/catabolic)

Homeostasis

A state of physiological equilibrium or a constant steady state maintained by the body.

Negative Feedback

A homeostatic control mechanism in which the effect of the response is to reverse the original stimulus (e.g., regulation of body temperature or blood glucose).

Positive Feedback

A homeostatic control mechanism in which the effect of the response is to continue or amplify the original stimulus (e.g., immune response, labor contractions, blood clotting).

7.35 - 7.45

The normal physiological pH range of human blood, which is

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position where the body is standing upright (erect) with head, eyes, and toes directed forward, and upper limbs at the sides with palms facing forward.

Superior (Cranial or Cephalic)

Directional term meaning above or at a higher level in the body, toward the head.

Inferior

Directional term meaning below, at a lower level, or toward the feet.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term referring to the front or belly side of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term referring to the back of the body behind underlying structures.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body or on the outer side.

Proximal

Directional term meaning toward an attached base or point of attachment.

Distal

Directional term meaning away from an attached base or point of attachment.

Superficial

Directional term meaning at, near, or relatively close to the body surface.

Deep

Directional term meaning toward the interior of the body, farther from the surface.

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning located on or affecting the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Directional term meaning located on or affecting the opposite side of the body.

Unilateral

Directional term referring to one side of the body.

Bilateral

Directional term referring to both sides of the body.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal or axial plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal Plane (Median Plane)

A sagittal plane passing vertically directly through the midline, dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal Plane

A sagittal plane that cuts parallel to the midline, dividing the body into unequal left and right portions.

Subcostal Plane

A horizontal plane passing through the inferior border of the 10th costal cartilage / 10th rib, corresponding to the L3 vertebral level.

Transtubercular Plane

A horizontal plane traversing the iliac tubercles and the body of the L5 vertebra.

Transpyloric Plane

A plane passing through the lower border of L1 or the tip of the 9th costal cartilage, containing structures like the pylorus, kidneys, liver, and pancreas.

Interspinous Plane

A horizontal plane passing through the easily palpated anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) of each side.

Midclavicular Line

A vertical reference line passing through the midpoint of the clavicle and extending down toward the midinguinal point.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

The four anatomical divisions of the abdomen: Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), and Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ).

Abdominopelvic Regions

The nine anatomical regions formed by two horizontal planes (subcostal and transtubercular) and two vertical midclavicular lines.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Internal fluid-filled body space that includes the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the spinal/vertebral cavity (housing the spinal cord).

Ventral Body Cavity

Internal body cavity that contains the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

Parietal Membrane

The serous membrane layer that lines the inner walls of a ventral body cavity.

Visceral Membrane

The serous membrane layer that directly covers the outside surface of organs.

Serous Fluid

A thin, clear fluid secreted by serous membrane layers that reduces friction and allows organs to slide smoothly past surrounding structures.

Pleura

The serous membrane of the thoracic cavity that surrounds the lungs, divided into parietal pleura and visceral pleura.

Pericardium

The serous membrane located within the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity that surrounds the heart.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane lining the walls (parietal) and covering organs (visceral) of the peritoneal cavity within the abdominopelvic cavity.

Mucous Membrane

An epithelial and connective tissue membrane lining body cavities that open to the exterior (respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive), containing lamina propria and secreting mucus.

Synovial Membrane

An incomplete epithelial layer lining joint cavities (e.g., knee, shoulder, hip) that secretes viscous synovial fluid to reduce friction during movement.

Cutaneous Membrane

The skin covering the external surface of the body, composed of epithelium and underlying connective tissues.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

An imaging technique using X-rays and computer processing to create cross-sectional slices of internal organs, bones, and blood vessels.

MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A diagnostic radiology technique that utilizes magnetic fields, radio waves, and computers to construct detailed images of body tissues without radiation exposure.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

A nuclear medicine technique using injected radiotracers to visualize 3D color images of functional metabolic processes within the body.

Integumentary System

Organ system consisting of skin, hair, sweat glands, and nails that protects against hazards, regulates temperature, and provides sensory information.

Skeletal System

Organ system composed of bones, cartilages, ligaments, and bone marrow that provides support, stores calcium, and forms blood cells.

Muscular System

Organ system consisting of skeletal muscles, tendons, and aponeuroses that generates movement, maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous System

Organ system comprising the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and sense organs that detects stimuli and directs immediate responses.

Endocrine System

Organ system of hormone-secreting glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads) that directs long-term metabolic changes.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system composed of the heart, blood, and blood vessels that transports cells, gases, nutrients, wastes, and heat.

Lymphatic System

Organ system comprising the spleen, thymus, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and tonsils that defends against infection and returns tissue fluid to the blood.

Respiratory System

Organ system including nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and alveoli responsible for gas exchange and sound production.

Digestive System

Organ system including esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas that digests food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates indigestible waste.

Urinary System

Organ system comprising kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra that excretes nitrogenous waste, regulates water balance, blood ion concentrations, and pH.

combine to form molecules

Atoms

makes up chemicals, proteins, ATP, for

example

Molecules

made up

of proteins, chemicals, and molecules

Organelles (little machinery inside of cells)

made up of organelles and other

abiotic molecules like water (links are “desmosomes”

which work like staples)

Cells/Eukaryotic

Similar types of cells with a common function

Tissues

Epithelial tissue, smooth muscle tissue, connective

tissue, glandular tissues, vascular tissues. These are examples of….

Tissues

composed of two or more

tissue types performing a specific function

Organs

several organs working

together to accomplish a common purpose

Organ systems

Digestive System includes (6)

esophagus, stomach, small

and large intestine, liver, pancreas

level =humans, cats, dogs

Organismal

lower than normal (Sugar level)

Hypoglycemia

S/S

Signs and symptoms

light headed, dizzy, may pass out

(syncopal episode), fog brain

S/S of hypoglycemia

What does the body do to compensate &

utilize NF??

The hypothalamus which controls everything opens uo the blood vessels and muscles to release glycogen into the blood stream

What happens when the body is too hot

Vasodilation and sweating

What happens when the body is too cold

blood vessels constrict and body develops goosebumps

What is normal blood glucose?

70 mg/dL

What is the hormone that amplifies labor contractions and causes a positive feedback? And what is the syntheic form of this hormone?

Oxytoxin, pitocin

What is normal blood pH

7.35-7.45

uses X-rays to make

detailed pictures of structures inside of the body.

A computed tomography (CT)

scan may be used to make sure a procedure is done correctly.

For example, the doctor may use it to guide a needle during a

tissue biopsy or to guide the proper placement of a needle to drain

an abscess.

CT

can help determine how much

the cancer has spread. This is called staging the cancer.

CT

a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves,

and a computer to produce images of body structures.

scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet.

MRI

quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body.

MRI

Advantage of MRI =

avoiding x-ray radiation

exposure

used as an extremely accurate

method of disease detection throughout the body. In

the head, trauma to the brain can be seen as bleeding

or swelling. Other abnormalities often found include

brain aneurysms, stroke, tumors of the brain, as well as

tumors or inflammation of the spine.

• It is also used when considering problems associated

with the vertebrae or intervertebral discs of the spine. scan can evaluate the structure of the heart and

aorta, where it can detect aneurysms or tears.

MRI

uses radiation (radiotracer is then inserted

into the human body), or nuclear medicine imaging, to

produce 3-dimensional, color images of the functional

processes within the human body

PET

used to diagnose a health condition,

as well as for finding out how an existing condition is

developing. scans are often used to see how

effective an ongoing treatment is.

PET

PET

positron emission tomography

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

CT

computed tomography