General terminology Nurse Hub

What is the study of body structures called?

Anatomy

What is the study of how body parts function?

Physiology

What position is used as a reference point for all anatomical terms?

Anatomical position (standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward)

What section of the body includes the head, neck, and trunk?

Axial section

What section includes the limbs (arms and legs)?

Appendicular section

Which body cavity contains the brain?

Cranial cavity

Which cavity houses the spinal cord?

Vertebral or spinal cavity

The thoracic cavity is separated from the abdominopelvic cavity by what structure?

Diaphragm

The thoracic cavity contains which smaller cavities?

Pleural, pericardial, and mediastinum

The abdominal cavity primarily contains what organs?

Digestive organs

The pelvic cavity primarily contains what organs?

Urinary and reproductive organs

What term describes the mouth cavity?

Oral cavity

What term describes the cavity housing the eyes?

Orbital cavity

What cavity holds the middle ear bones?

Middle ear cavity

The nasal cavity contains what structures?

Sinuses

What plane divides the body into left and right halves?

Sagittal plane

What plane divides the body into front and back sections?

Frontal (coronal) plane

What plane divides the body into upper and lower sections?

Transverse (horizontal) plane

What term means above another structure?

Superior

What term means below another structure?

Inferior

What term means toward the front of the body?

Anterior or ventral

What term means toward the back of the body?

Posterior or dorsal

What term means toward the midline of the body?

Medial

What term means away from the midline?

Lateral

What term means closer to the trunk of the body?

Proximal

What term means farther from the trunk?

Distal

What term means toward the surface of the body?

Superficial

What term means deeper inside the body?

Deep

What term means on the same side of the body?

Ipsilateral

What term means on opposite sides of the body?

Contralateral

What are the two main body cavities?

Dorsal and ventral

What is the function of the diaphragm in body cavities?

Separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

What are the four abdominal quadrants?

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ

Which quadrant contains the gallbladder?

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Which quadrant contains the appendix?

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Which quadrant contains the spleen?

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Name the nine abdominal regions (top to bottom, left to right).

Right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac; right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar; right iliac, hypogastric, left iliac

What term means “above the stomach”?

Epigastric

What term means “below the stomach”?

Hypogastric

What term refers to the lower lateral abdominal regions?

Iliac or inguinal regions

What term refers to the low back area?

Lumbar region

List the levels of structural organization from simplest to most complex.

Atom → Molecule → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism

What is homeostasis?

The body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions

What type of feedback reverses a change in a system?

Negative feedback

What type of feedback enhances or amplifies a change?

Positive feedback

Example of negative feedback in the body?

Insulin lowering blood glucose

Example of positive feedback in the body?

Labor contractions during childbirth

What organ system includes skin, hair, and nails?

Integumentary system

Main functions of the integumentary system?

Protection, temperature regulation, waste excretion, vitamin D production

What organ system includes bones, ligaments, and cartilage?

Skeletal system

Main functions of the skeletal system?

Support, protection, blood cell production, mineral storage

What system allows movement and produces heat?

Muscular system

What system includes the brain and spinal cord?

Nervous system

Function of the nervous system?

Detects changes, interprets sensory info, coordinates response

What system secretes hormones into the bloodstream?

Endocrine system

What system returns fluid to the bloodstream and defends against infection?

Lymphatic system

Which organs belong to the lymphatic system?

Lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, lymph vessels

What system transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste?

Cardiovascular system

What system exchanges gases with the environment?

Respiratory system

What organs are part of the respiratory system?

Lungs, trachea, bronchi, pharynx, larynx

What system breaks down and absorbs nutrients?

Digestive system

What organ stores bile?

Gallbladder

What system removes wastes and regulates water balance?

Urinary system

What are the main organs of the urinary system?

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra

What system produces gametes and hormones?

Reproductive system

What does the term “brachial” refer to?

Arm

What does “antecubital” refer to?

Front of the elbow

What does “popliteal” refer to?

Back of the knee

What does “crural” refer to?

Leg (shin area)

What does “sural” refer to?

Calf

What does “patellar” refer to?

Kneecap

What does “femoral” refer to?

Thigh

What does “inguinal” refer to?

Groin

What does “acromial” refer to?

Shoulder

What does “lumbar” refer to?

Lower back

What does “cephalic” refer to?

Head

What does “mental” refer to?

Chin

What does “carpal” refer to?

Wrist

What does “plantar” refer to?

Sole of the foot

What term means heel of the foot?

Calcaneal