Basic Anatomy & Physiology pt1

Anatomy/Physiology 0.1 Terms

Anatomy

biological study of structure

Gross Anatomy

study of anatomical structures which can be seen by unaided vision, such as the structure of the major body systems

Microanatomy

study of small anatomical structures which require the use of a microscope to see

Physiology

biological study of the function of living organisms and their parts

Homeostasis

tendency of a living organism to maintain stability, both between its own body systems and between itself and the environment

Medial Plane

single plane which passes through the center of the axis of the body

Sagittal Plane

any plane which is parallel to the medial plane

Transverse Plane

any plane which is located at a right angle to the medial plane and passes through the long axis of the body

Frontal Plane

any plane which lies at a right angle to both the medial and transverse plane

Serous Membranes

smooth membranes consisting of a thin layer of cells which excrete a fluid, know as serous fluid

Mucous Membranes

epithelial tissue which secretes mucus which lines many body cavities and tubular organs including the gut and respiratory passages

Synovial Membranes

thick, stringy fluids found in the cavities of synovial joints

Cutaneous Membranes

skin

Superior

toward the head end of the body

Inferior

farther from the head

Anterior

toward the front of the body

Posterior

toward the backside of the body

Proximal

near to the point of reference

Distal

farther from the point of reference

Medial

closer to the midline of the body

Lateral

farther from the midline of the body

Internal

below the surface

Exterior

on the surface

Deep

away from the surface

Superficial

near the surface

Central

at or near the middle

Peripheral

at or near the edge

Parietal

within a body cavity

Visceral

within a body cavity

Flexion

folding movement which decreases the angle between two bones

Extension

movement which increases the angle between two bones

Abduct

to move away from the medial plane

Adduct

to move toward the medial plane

Cephalic

head

Frontal

forehead

Nasal

nose

Orbital

eye

Buccal

cheek

Oral

mouth

Mental

chin

Occipital

base of skull

Cervical

neck

Acromial

shoulder

Sternal

breast bone

Axillary

armpit

Thoracic

chest

Mammary

breast

Brachial

arm

Antecubital

front elbow

Olecranal

back elbow

Antibrachial

forearm

Popliteal

posterior knee

Sural

calf

Palmer

palm

Pollex

thumb