ANA2002 -Anatomical terms

ANA2002 ANATOMY FLASHCARDS

Anterior

Refers to the front of the body.

Posterior

Refers to the back of the body.

Ventral

Refers to the belly or front side.

Dorsal

Refers to the back or upper side.

Superior

Refers to a position above or higher than another.

Inferior

Refers to a position below or lower than another.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Axial skeleton

Part of the skeleton consisting of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

Thoracic cavity

The chamber of the body that houses the heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The large cavity that contains both the abdominal and pelvic organs.

Serosa

A membrane that lines the walls and organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Pericardial cavity

The cavity surrounding the heart.

Antecubital

Refers to the area in front of the elbow.

Flexion

Decreasing the angle between two body parts.

Extension

Increasing the angle between two body parts.

Supination

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces upward.

Pronation

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces downward.

Proximal

Refers to a position closer to the point of attachment or to the center of the body.

Distal

Refers to a position further from the point of attachment or from the center of the body.

Medial

Refers to a position closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Refers to a position further away from the midline of the body.

Median

Refers to the midline of the body.

External

Refers to the outer surface.

Internal

Refers to the inner structures.

Frontal

Relating to the front; also refers to a plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Occipital

Referring to the back of the head.

Rostral

Referring to a position towards the nose or mouth.

Caudal

Referring to a position towards the tail or lower back.

Superficial

Referring to a position near the surface of the body.

Deep

Referring to a position away from the surface of the body.

Central

Referring to a position that is near the center.

Peripheral

Referring to a position that is away from the center.

Ipsilateral

Referring to structures on the same side of the body.

Dorsiflexion

Bending of the foot upwards.

Plantarflexion

Bending of the foot downwards.

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports, binds together, and protects tissues and organs.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers body surfaces and lines cavities.

Muscular tissue

Tissue responsible for movement in the body.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that transmits nerve impulses.

Skeletal system

The system consisting of bones and cartilage that supports the body.

Appendicular skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the limbs and girdles.

Compact/cortical bone

Dense bone tissue that makes up the outer layer of bones.

Spongy/cancellous bones

Lighter, less dense bone found within the interior of bones.

Long bones

Bones that are longer than they are wide.

Short bones

Bones that are approximately equal in length and width.

Flat bones

Thin bones that are somewhat flattened.

Irregular bones

Bones with complex shapes that do not fit other categories.

Diaphysis

The long shaft of a long bone.

Epiphyses

The ends of long bones.

Articular surfaces

The surfaces of bones that form joints.

Protrusions

Any bony process or projection.

Depressions

Concave areas in bones that serve as articulating surfaces.

Fibrous joints

Joints connected by fibrous tissue, allowing minimal movement.

Cartilaginous joints

Joints connected by cartilage, allowing limited movement.

Synovial joints

Highly mobile joints characterized by a fluid-filled cavity.

Agonist’s muscle

A mucle when contracting concentrically will produce movement at a joint.

The muscle that is primarily responsible for movement.

Antagonist’s muscle

The muscle that opposes the action of the agonist.

Synergist muscle

Muscle that assists the agonist in performing an action.

Fixator muscle

Muscle that stabilizes a joint and prevents unwanted movement.

Concentric

Muscle contractions that shorten the muscle.

Eccentric

Muscle contractions that lengthen the muscle.

Isometric

Muscle contractions where the muscle length does not change.

Prime mover

The force that causes the movement at a joint It is also known as the agonist muscle.

The main muscle responsible for a given movement.

can be muscle or gravity

Somatic nervous system

Part of the nervous system that controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions.

Sensory (afferent)

Nerve fibers that carry signals to the central nervous system.

Motor (efferent)

Nerve fibers that carry signals away from the central nervous system.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for action.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that relaxes the body.

Thoracolumbar outflow

The origin point of sympathetic nerve fibers in the thoracic and lumbar regions.

Multipolar neuron

A neuron with many extensions from the cell body.

Bipolar neuron

A neuron with two extensions from the cell body.

Unipolar neuron

A neuron with a single extension from the cell body.

General sensory

A type of sensory perception that includes touch, temperature, and pain.

Special sensory

Refers to senses such as vision, hearing, taste, and smell.

Skeletal motor

Refers to motor pathways that control skeletal muscles.

Dorsal horn

The posterior part of the spinal cord containing sensory neurons.

Ventral horn

The anterior part of the spinal cord containing motor neurons.

Ventral root

The root of a spinal nerve that contains motor fibers.

Dorsal root

The root of a spinal nerve that contains sensory fibers.

Dorsal root ganglion

A cluster of sensory neurons in the dorsal root of a spinal nerve.

Ventral ramus

A branch of the spinal nerve that innervates the anterior and lateral body walls.

Dorsal ramus

A branch of the spinal nerve that innervates the muscles and skin of the back.

Brachial plexus

Network of nerves that supplies the upper limb.

Lumbosacral plexus

Network of nerves that supplies the lower limb.

Dorsal column medial lemniscus

Pathway that conveys fine touch and proprioception.

Lateral spinothalamic pathway

Pathway that conveys pain and temperature sensations.

Upper motor neuron

Neuron that originates in the brain and controls lower motor neurons.

Lower motor neuron

Neuron that directly innervates skeletal muscle.

Spinothalamic pathway

Pathway carrying sensory information to the thalamus.

Corticospinal pathway

Pathway that controls voluntary motor movement.

Dermatomes

Areas of skin innervated by sensory fibers from a single spinal nerve.

Myotomes

Groups of muscles innervated by motor fibers from a single spinal nerve.

spinal curvatures

The natural curves of the spine that help with balance, support, and flexibility, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral curves.

spondylolisthesis

A condition where one vertebra slips forward over another, often leading to back pain and nerve compression.

spondylolysis

A defect or fracture in the pars interarticularis of a vertebra, which can lead to instability and back pain.

herniated intervertebral disk

A condition where the inner gel-like core of an intervertebral disk protrudes through a tear in the outer layer, potentially compressing nearby nerves and causing pain.

kyphosis

A curvature of the spine that causes a hunching of the back, often associated with aging, osteoporosis, or certain medical conditions. It can lead to discomfort and postural issues.

lordosis

An excessive inward curvature of the spine, commonly affecting the lower back. It can result in discomfort and is often associated with obesity, pregnancy, or certain postural habits.