Anatomy Terms

Complete set of 71 vocabulary terms covering basic anatomy, body organization, directions, planes, cavities, and metabolic processes.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Body cavity containing the abdominal and pelvic organs.

Anabolism

Builds complex molecules from simpler ones.

Anatomical position

Standard body position used for reference.

Anatomy

Study of body structure.

Anterior (Ventral)

Front of the body.

Anterior (Ventral) cavity

Front body cavity containing the heart, lungs, and digestive organs.

Catabolism

Breaks complex molecules into simpler ones.

Caudal (Inferior)

Toward the feet or lower body.

Cell

Smallest living unit of the body.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Cross-sectional X-ray imaging.

Control center

Compares body conditions to normal and directs responses.

Cranial (Superior)

Toward the head or upper body.

Cranial cavity

Cavity that contains the brain.

Deep

Farther from the body's surface.

Development

Changes during an organism's life.

Differentiation

Cells become specialized.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment.

Dorsal (Posterior)

Back of the body.

Dorsal cavity

Cavity containing the brain and spinal cord.

Effector

Organ or tissue that carries out a response.

Frontal (Coronal) plane

Divides the body into front and back.

Gross anatomy

Study of body structures visible to the naked eye.

Growth

Increase in size.

Homeostasis

Maintaining stable internal conditions.

Inferior (Caudal)

Below or toward the feet.

Lateral

Away from the body's midline.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Uses magnets to create detailed body images.

Medial

Toward the body's midline.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions in the body.

Microscopic anatomy

Study of body structures too small to see without magnification.

Negative feedback

Reverses a change to maintain stability.

Normal range

Acceptable range around a set point.

Nutrient

Substance from food needed for survival.

Oblique plane

Cuts the body at an angle.

Organ

Structure made of different tissues with a specific function.

Organ system

Group of organs working together.

Organism

An individual living thing.

Pericardium

Membrane surrounding the heart.

Peritoneum

Membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering organs.

Physiology

Study of how the body functions.

Plane

Imaginary flat surface dividing the body.

Pleura

Membrane surrounding the lungs.

Positive feedback

Increases or amplifies a change.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Imaging that shows body function and metabolism.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Back of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal) cavity

Cavity containing the brain and spinal cord.

Pressure

Force applied to a surface.

Prone

Lying face down.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment.

Regional anatomy

Study of specific body regions.

Renewal

Replacement of old or damaged cells.

Reproduction

Producing new organisms.

Responsiveness

Ability to react to changes.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right.

Section

Cut surface of a body or organ.

Sensor (Receptor)

Detects changes and sends information to the control center.

Serosa (Serous membrane)

Membrane covering organs to reduce friction.

Serous membrane

Membrane covering organs to reduce friction.

Set point

Ideal value the body tries to maintain.

Spinal (Vertebral) cavity

Cavity containing the spinal cord.

Superficial

Closer to the body's surface.

Superior (Cranial)

Above or toward the head.

Supine

Lying face up.

Systemic anatomy

Study of body systems.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity containing the heart and lungs.

Tissue

Group of similar cells working together.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into upper and lower parts.

Ultrasonography

Uses sound waves to create body images.

Ventral (Anterior)

Front of the body.

Ventral (Anterior) cavity

Front body cavity containing major organs.

X-ray

Imaging that uses radiation to view internal structures, especially bones.