An Introduction to the Human Body Practice Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers introductory human anatomy topics including medical imaging, regional adjectives, anatomical planes, and the organization of body cavities and membranes.

Palpation

A non-invasive diagnostic technique where the examiner feels body surfaces with the hands to identify anatomical structures or check for abnormalities.

Computed Tomography (CT)

A medical imaging procedure that provides detailed cross-sectional views of the body; examples show visualization of ribs, vertebrae, spleen, aorta, kidney, stomach, and liver.

Cytology

The microscopic study of cells.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Organismal level

The highest level of biological organization, where all organ systems work together to maintain the life of the individual.

$$11$$

The number of organ systems in the human body that work together to maintain homeostasis.

Homeostasis

The relative constancy of the internal environment, which is a primary focus in the study of physiology.

Anatomical Position

A standard position where the subject stands with legs together, feet flat on the floor, hands at sides, and palms facing forward.

Antebrachial

Anatomical adjective referring to the forearm, which is the portion of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist.

Brachial

Anatomical adjective referring to the arm, specifically the portion of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow.

Crural

Anatomical adjective referring to the leg, defined as the portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle.

Sural

Anatomical adjective referring to the calf, which is the posterior part of the leg.

Hallux

The anatomical term for the great toe.

Pollex

The anatomical term for the thumb.

Popliteal

Anatomical adjective referring to the area posterior to the knee.

Umbilicus

The navel; the site where the lines intersect to divide the abdomen into four quadrants.

Proximal / Distal

Directional terms used specifically when describing the location of structures in the limbs, rather than superior/inferior.

$$1\,mm$$

The thickness of the male sections used in the Visible Human Project.

$$0.3\,mm$$

The thickness of the female sections used in the Visible Human Project.

Coronal Plane

A plane of section that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior parts.

Midsagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or organ into equal right and left halves.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior parts.

Diaphragm

The muscular structure that separates the ventral body cavity into the superior thoracic cavity and the inferior abdominopelvic cavity.

Visceral

The first word in a two-part serous membrane name that indicates the layer encloses or directly covers the organ (viscera).

Parietal

The first word in a two-part serous membrane name that indicates the layer lines the body wall.

Pleura

The specific name for the serous membranes associated with the lungs.

Peritoneum

The serous membranes of the abdominal cavity.

Mesentery

A peritoneal fold that binds organs to one another, supports the position of organs, and provides routes for blood vessels and nerves.

Retroperitoneal

Describes organs that are only covered with parietal peritoneum rather than being enclosed within the peritoneal cavity.

SAD PUCKER

A mnemonic for the retroperitoneal organs: Suprarenal glands, Aorta/IVC, Duodenum, Pancreas, Ureters, Colon, Kidneys, Esophagus, Rectum.

Infraperitoneal

Describes organs located inferior to the peritoneum, such as the bladder, distal ureters, uterus, and fallopian tubes.