BIOL 2040 Chapter 1: The Study of Human Anatomy Flashcards

A set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering basic human anatomy terms, techniques, body planes, directional terms, regions, and cavities from Chapter 1.

Functional morphology

The study of the functional reasons behind the structure of human anatomical features.

Gross anatomy

The study of body structures visible to the naked eye without microscopic assistance.

Surface anatomy

The study of external body features and surface markings.

Radiological anatomy

The study of anatomy using medical imaging techniques.

Systemic anatomy

The study of human body structure organ system by organ system.

Regional anatomy

The study of human body structure focusing on specific regions of the body.

Histology

Microscopic anatomy focusing on the microscopic study of tissues.

Histopathology

The microscopic examination of diseased tissues.

Cytology

The study of individual cells and their internal structure.

Inspection

A clinical examination method that involves looking at the body's appearance.

Palpation

A clinical examination method that involves feeling a body structure with the hands.

Auscultation

A clinical examination method that involves listening to sounds made by the body.

Percussion

A clinical examination method that involves tapping on the body and listening to the resulting sound.

Dissection

The careful cutting and separation of tissues to reveal their anatomical relationships.

Medical Imaging

Techniques that visualize internal structures and replace many exploratory surgeries.

Radiology

The branch of medicine concerned with imaging techniques such as X-rays and scans.

Contrast medium

A substance used in radiography for the visualization of hollow organs.

Angiography

A radiographic visualization technique specifically used for blood vessels.

Computed Tomography (CT scan)

A medical imaging technique that uses cross-section X-rays.

Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (DSR)

A modified CT scanner that produces 3D video images to show motion and volume changes.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A medical imaging technique primarily used for soft tissue visualization.

fMRI

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging that captures functional moment-to-moment changes in tissue.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging technique based on gamma ray detection.

Nuclear medicine

A branch of medicine that utilizes radioisotopes for diagnosis and treatment.

Sonography

An imaging technique based on the reflection of high-frequency ultrasound waves.

Sonogram

An ultrasound imaging output commonly used in obstetrics.

Echocardiography

An ultrasound technique used specifically for imaging a beating heart.

Situs solitus

The normal position and arrangement of organs within the human body.

Situs inversus

The completely reversed position of internal organs in the human body.

Situs perversus

A condition in which a single organ is atypically positioned in the human body.

Musculoskeletal system

An organ system combination describing the functional relationship between muscles and the skeleton.

Cardiopulmonary system

An organ system combination describing the functional relationship between the heart and lungs.

Urogenital system

An organ system combination describing the relationship between the urinary and reproductive systems.

Transverse plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body horizontally into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body vertically into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body vertically into right and left portions.

Anterior

Directional term meaning toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Ventral

Directional term meaning toward the anterior side in humans.

Dorsal

Directional term meaning toward the posterior side in humans.

Superior

Directional term meaning above.

Inferior

Directional term meaning below.

Cephalic

Directional term meaning toward the head or superior end.

Rostral

Directional term meaning toward the forehead or nose.

Caudal

Directional term meaning toward the tail or inferior end.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning on the same side of the body (right or left).

Contralateral

Directional term meaning on opposite sides of the body (right and left).

Superficial

Directional term meaning closer to the body surface.

Deep

Directional term meaning farther from the body surface.

Acromial region

Major body region referring to the shoulder.

Axillary region

Major body region referring to the armpit.

Brachial region

Major body region referring to the arm.

Cubital region

Major body region referring to the elbow.

Antebrachial region

Major body region referring to the forearm.

Carpal region

Major body region referring to the wrist.

Palmar region

Major body region referring to the palm of the hand.

Coxal region

Major body region referring to the hip.

Patellar region

Major body region referring to the anterior knee.

Cephalic region

Major body region referring to the head.

Facial region

Major body region referring to the face.

Cervical region

Major body region referring to the neck.

Thoracic region

Major body region referring to the chest.

Sternal region

Subregion of the thoracic region corresponding to the sternum.

Pectoral region

Subregion of the thoracic region corresponding to the chest muscles.

Umbilical region

Subregion of the abdominal region surrounding the navel.

Abdominal region

Major body region located between the thorax and pelvis.

Inguinal region

Major body region referring to the groin.

Pubic region

Major body region comprising the mons pubis and external genitalia.

Femoral region

Major body region referring to the thigh.

Crural region

Major body region referring to the leg between the knee and ankle.

Tarsal region

Major body region referring to the ankle.

Cranial region

Subregion of the head enclosing the brain.

Nuchal region

Major body region referring to the back of the neck.

Interscapular region

Posterior trunk subregion located between the shoulder blades.

Scapular region

Posterior trunk subregion over the shoulder blade.

Vertebral region

Posterior trunk subregion along the spinal column.

Lumbar region

Posterior trunk subregion referring to the lower back.

Sacral region

Posterior trunk subregion located between the gluteal clefts above the tailbone.

Gluteal region

Major body region referring to the buttock.

Perineal region

Major body region located between the thighs and pubis.

Popliteal region

Major body region referring to the posterior knee.

Pedal region

Major body region referring to the foot.

Plantar surface

Anatomical term referring to the sole of the foot.

Calcaneal region

Major body region referring to the heel.

Axial region

Major body region consisting of the head, neck (cervical region), and trunk.

Appendicular region

Major body region consisting of the upper and lower limbs.

Subcostal line

Superior horizontal boundary line used to divide the abdomen into nine regions.

Intertubercular line

Inferior horizontal boundary line used to divide the abdomen into nine regions.

Segment

The region between one joint and the next in the limbs.

Cranial cavity

Body cavity enclosed by the cranium (braincase) that contains the brain.

Vertebral canal

Body cavity enclosed by the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Meninges

Membranes that line both the cranial cavity and the vertebral canal.

Mediastinum

Region within the thoracic cavity dividing the cavity superior to the diaphragm.

Pericardium

Membrane structure surrounding the heart made of visceral epicardium and parietal pericardial sac.

Pleura

Serous membrane of the thoracic cavity made of visceral and parietal layers.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Body cavity comprising both the superior abdominal cavity and inferior pelvic cavity.