BIO201 - Master Terms List

cephalic

relating to the head as a whole; includes the cranial and facial subregions

cranial

relating to the skull; specifically refers to the part of the head that encases the brain

frontal

relating to the forehead; the anterior (front) part of the cranium

orbital

relating to the eye socket (orbit); surrounds the eye and includes the bony structures that protect it

nasal

relating to the nose; includes the external nose and the nasal cavity

buccal

relating to the cheek; the fleshy part of the face that forms the side of the mouth

oral

relating to the mouth; includes the lips, teeth, tongue, and the inside of the mouth

mental

relating to the chin

cervical

relating to the neck; supports the head and connects it to the torso; includes structures like the cervical vertebrae and the esophagus

thoracic

relating to the chest; includes the rib cage, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae; houses vital organs like the heart and lungs

pectoral (mammary)

relating to the chest muscles or breasts; pectoral region refers to the area over the pectoralis major muscles, while the mammary region specifically refers to the breasts

sternal

relating to the sternum (breastbone); the long, flat bone located in the center of the chest

costal

relating to the ribs; refers to the area over the ribs, which form the protective cage around the thoracic cavity

abdominal

relating to the abdomen; the area between the thorax (chest) and the pelvis; contains organs like the stomach, intestines, and liver

umbilical

relating to the naval (belly button); the central part of the abdomen, surrounding the umbilicus

pelvic

relating to the pelvis; the lower part of the torso, bounded by the hip bones; contains organs like the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

inguinal

relating to the groin; the area where the thigh meets the abdomen, containing structures like the inguinal lymph nodes and the inguinal canal

pubic

relating to the pubis (pubic bone); the lower central part of the abdomen, above the external genitalia

occipital

relating to the back of the head; located at the posterior part of the cranium, overlying the occipital bone

nuchal

relating to the back of the neck; the posterior part of the neck, where the back meets the skull; includes structures like the nuchal ligament and muscles that support the head

scapular

relating to the shoulder blade; the area over the scapula, which connects the humerus to the clavicle

vertebral

relating to the spine or vertebrae; the area over the vertebral column, which runs down the center of the back and protects the spinal cord

lumbar

relating to the lower back; the area of the back between the thorax and the pelvis; corresponds to the lumbar vertebrae, which are larger and bear more weight than other vertebrae

sacral

relating to the sacrum; the area at the base of the spine, just above the tailbone; includes the sacrum, a triangular bone formed by the fusion of five vertebrae

gluteal

relating to the buttocks; the area over the gluteal muscles, which are responsible for movement of the hip and thigh

acromial

relating to the shoulder; the area over the acromion, a bony process of the scapula that connects to the clavicle

axillary

relating to the armpit; the area under the arm where it connects to the shoulder; contains structures like lymph nodes, blood vessels, and nerves

brachial

relating to the upper arm; the area between the shoulder and the elbow, containing the humerus and muscles like the biceps and triceps

antecubital

relating to the front of the elbow; the anterior surface of the elbow, where blood is often drawn; includes the cubital fossa, a depression that houses important nerves and blood vessels

antebrachial

relating to the forearm; the area between the elbow and wrist, containing the radius and ulna and muscles that control hand and wrist movement

carpal

relating to the wrist; includes the carpal bones, which form the wrist joint and connect the hand to the forearm

dorsum of hand

relating to the back of the hand; the posterior surface of the hand, which includes metacarpal bones and the back of the fingers

palmar

relating to the palm of the hand; the anterior surface of the hand, which includes the palm and the flexor muscles that control finger movement

pollex

relating to the thumb; the first digit of the hand, opposable to the other fingers and essential for grasping and fine motor skills

digital

relating to the fingers or toes; includes the phalanges and the soft tissues that make up the digits; each finger (except the thumb) has three phalanges, while the thumb has two

femoral

relating to the thigh; includes the femur and the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels that run along its length

patellar

relating to the kneecap; the anterior surface of the knee, which includes the patella and the surrounding tendons and ligaments

popliteal

relating to the back of the knee; the posterior surface of the knee, containing the popliteal fossa, which houses important nerves and blood vessels

cural

relating to the leg (specifically the front of the leg)’ refers to the area between the knee and ankle, including the tibia and the muscles that dorsiflex the foot

sural

relating to the calf; posterior part of the lower leg, containing the calf muscles and the Achilles tendon

fibular (peroneal)

relating to the lateral side of the leg; includes the fibula and the muscles and nerves that run along it, such as the peroneal muscles

tarsal

relating to the ankle; includes the tarsal bones, which form the ankle joint and connect the foot to the leg; includes structures like the talus and calcaneus

calcaneal

relating to the heel; the posterior part of the foot, where the calcaneus is located

dorsum of the foot

relating to the top of the foot; the anterior surface of the foot, which includes metatarsal bones and the extensor tendons that control toe movement

pedal

relating to the foot as a whole; encompasses all parts of the foot, including the toes, arch, heel, and ankle

plantar

relating to the sole of the foot; the posterior surface of the foot, which comes into contact with the ground during standing and walking; includes the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch

hallux

relating to the big toe; the first digit of the foot, essential for balance and propulsion during walking and running

superior (cranial)

toward the head or upper part of body

inferior (caudal)

away from the head or toward the lower part of body

anterior (ventral)

toward the front of the body

posterior (dorsal)

toward the back of the body

dorsal

refers to the top side of the body - synonymous with posterior in humans, but not in quadrupeds

ventral

refers to the belly side of the body - synonymous with anterior in humans, but not in quadrupeds

medial

toward the midline of the body

lateral

away from the midline of the body

proximal

closer to the point of attachment or origin (e.g. of a limb or structure)

distal

farther from the point of attachment or origin (e.g. of a limb or structure)

superficial (external)

closer to the surface of the body

deep (internal)

farther from the surface of the body

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

contralateral

on the opposite side of the body

intermediate

between two structures

sagittal plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into left and right parts

midsagittal plane (median plane)

a specific sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves; passes through the midline of the body

parasagittal plane

a sagittal plane that is parallel to the midsagittal plane, but does not pass through the midline; divided the body into unequal left and right parts

frontal plane (coronal plane)

a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts; runs from left to right

transverse plane (horizontal plane)

a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts; runs parallel to the ground

dorsal cavity

located at the back of the body; contains the cranial cavity and vertebral cavity; protects the nervous system

cranial cavity

located in the head and houses the brain; a subdivision of the dorsal cavity

vertebral cavity

runs along the spine and houses the spinal cord; a subdivision of the dorsal cavity

ventral cavity

located at the front of the body; contains the thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, and pelvic cavity

thoracic cavity

located in the chest and houses the heart, lungs, and other structures, separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm; a subdivision of the ventral cavity

abdominopelvic cavity

combines the abdominal and pelvic cavity; houses the digestive organs, reproductive organs, and urinary organs; a subdivision of the ventral cavity

abdominal cavity

located in the abdomen and houses the digestive organs; a subdivision of the abdominopelvic cavity

pelvic cavity

located in the pelvis and houses the reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum; a subdivision of the abdominopelvic cavity

anabolic reaction

a type of metabolic reaction that builds complex molecules from simpler ones; requires energy (endergonic)

purpose: growth, repair, and storage of energy

catabolic reaction

a type of metabolic reaction that breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones; releases energy (exergonic)

purpose: provides energy for cellular activities

catalyst reaction

a chemical reaction that is accelerated by a catalyst; catalysts are substances that increase the rate of reaction without being consumed

key: catalysts lower the activation energy required for a reaction

amylase

a digestive enzyme that breaks down starches (complex carbohydrates) into sugars; produced in salivary glands and pancreas; works best in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions

key difference: amyloglucosidase specifically produces glucose, while amylase produces smaller sugars like maltose

amyloglucosidase

an enzyme that breaks down starches and complex carbohydrates into glucose; often used in industrial processes and digestive supplements

key difference: amyloglucosidase specifically produces glucose, while amylase produces smaller sugars like maltose

homologous chromosomes

a pair of similar chromosomes (one from each parent) that carry the same genes in the same order); humans have 23 pairs, 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes

autosomes

chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes; determine most genetic traits

alleles

different versions of the same gene; alleles occupy the same position (locus) on homologous chromosomes

gene

a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or RNA molecule; genes determine traits like eye color, hair texture, or enzyme production

homozygous

having two identical alleles for a particular gene (AA, aa)

heterozygous

having two different alleles for a particular gene (Aa)

dominant

an allele that masks the effect of a recessive allele when present

recessive

an allege that is masked by a dominant allele and only expressed when no dominant allele is present

genotype

the genetic makeup of an organism (the specific alleles it carries)

phenotype

the physical or observable traits of an organism; determined by the genotype and environmental factors

sex chromosomes

chromosomes that determine biological sex

EX: XX (female), XY (male)

x-linked inheritance

traits or disorders that are carried on the X chromosome; more common in males because they have only one X chromosome (no second X to mask the trait)

heredity

the passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes

punnett square

a diagram used to predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring based on the genotypes of the parents