VOCABULARY: Unit 1 Introduction, Orientation, and Direction

Anatomy

science that studies the form and composition of the body’s structures

Anterior

describes the front or direction toward the front of the body; also referred to as ventral

Caudal

describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also referred to as inferior

Cranial

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also referred to as superior

Deep

describes a position farther from the surface of the body

Distal

describes a position farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body

Dorsal

describes the back or direction toward the back of the body; also referred to as posterior

Frontal plane

two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions

Gross anatomy

study of the larger structures of the body, typically with the unaided eye; also referred to macroscopic anatomy

Homeostasis

steady state of body systems that living organisms maintain

Lateral

describes the side or direction toward the side of the body

Medial

describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body

Negative feedback

homeostatic mechanism that tends to stabilize an upset in the body’s physiological condition by preventing an excessive response to a stimulus, typically as the stimulus is removed

Organ

functionally distinct structure composed of two or more types of tissues

Organ system

group of organs that work together to carry out a particular function

Organism

living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life

Physiology

science that studies the chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of the body’s functions

Positive feedback

mechanism that intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition in response to a stimulus

Prone

face down

Proximal

describes a position nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body

Transverse plane

two-dimensional, horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior portions

Sagittal plane

two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides

Superficial

describes a position nearer to the surface of the body

Supine

face up

Tissue

group of similar or closely related cells that act together to perform a specific function