Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology

Vocabulary terms covering anatomy and physiology definitions, historical figures, directional terms, body planes, cavities, structural levels, and homeostatic mechanisms.

Anatomy

The study of the structure or morphology of the body.

Physiology

The study of the functions of body parts, what they do, and how they do it.

Hippocrates

A Greek physician known as the “Father of Medicine” who attributed diseases to natural causes and is memorialized in the Hippocratic oath.

Aristotle

A Greek philosopher and zoologist who wrote the first account of embryology, named the aorta, and differentiated arteries and veins.

Leonardo Da Vinci

An Italian polymath and anatomist who observed dissections on cadavers and was the originator of cross sectional anatomy.

Andreas Vesalius

The “Father of Modern Anatomy” who revolutionized teaching and wrote the seven-volume work De humani corporis fabrica.

William Harvey

An English anatomist who demonstrated blood circulation and provided a physiological orientation to the study of anatomy.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek

An individual who improved the microscope and provided descriptions of blood cells, spermatozoa, and skeletal muscle.

Anatomical Position

A standard reference position where the body is erect, facing forward, arms at the sides, and the palms and feet are positioned toward the front.

Superior

A directional term meaning uppermost or above.

Inferior

A directional term meaning lowermost or below.

Anterior (Ventral)

A directional term meaning toward the front.

Posterior (Dorsal)

A directional term meaning toward the back.

Medial

A directional term meaning nearest to the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term meaning toward the side or away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

A directional term meaning near the point of attachment or origin, or closer to the trunk of the body than another part.

Distal

A directional term meaning away from the point of attachment or origin, or farther from the trunk of the body than another part.

Sagittal Plane

Any plane dividing the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal Plane

Also called the Median Plane, it vertically divides the body through the midline into two equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into unequal left and right sides.

Horizontal (Transverse) Plane

Any plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that divides the anterior and posterior portions of the body at right angles to the sagittal plane.

Dorsal Cavity

A major body cavity that cushions and protects the central nervous system, including the cranial and spinal cavities.

Ventral Body Cavity

Also known as the Coelom, it provides protection and allows organ movement; it is separated by the diaphragm into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Parietal

A term referring to the lining of body cavities (the body wall).

Visceral

A term referring to the covering on an organ (areas closer to internal organs).

Mediastinum

An area within the thoracic cavity containing the trachea, esophagus, and major vessels.

Cells

The smallest units of life that perform all activities necessary to maintain life, such as metabolism, digestion, and reproduction.

Epithelial Tissue

A type of tissue that covers and protects.

Connective Tissue

A type of tissue that binds and supports other tissues and organs.

Muscle Tissue

A type of tissue that produces movement.

Nervous Tissue

A type of tissue that connects sensory and motor pathways.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together to perform complex functions.

Homeostasis

The maintenance, within limits, of the internal environment of the body, characterized by balance or equilibrium.

Negative Feedback

A control system involving a response that is the reverse of the change detected, functioning to reduce the change and promote equilibrium.

Sensor

A component of a feedback loop that monitors the environment to detect deviations from homeostasis.

Control Center

A component of a feedback loop, such as the hypothalamus, that receives information from the sensor and signals effectors to correct deviations.

Effector

Muscles or glands that cause a change in the body to return it to a state of equilibrium.

Positive Feedback

A process that responds to a stimulus by increasing and amplifying the change, such as uterine contractions during labor.