Untitled Flashcard Set

Anatomy

The study of body structures and their physical relationships.

Physiology

The study of how body parts work and interact to maintain life.

Gross Anatomy

The study of body structures visible to the naked eye (macroscopic anatomy).

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of body structures too small to be seen without a microscope, focusing on cells and tissues.

Histology

A branch of microscopic anatomy focused on the study of tissues.

Cytology

A branch of microscopic anatomy focused on the study of cells.

Radiographic Anatomy

The study of internal body structures using medical imaging (e.g., X-rays, CT, MRI).

Embryology

The study of an organism's development from fertilization to birth.

Pathology

The study of structural and functional changes in tissues and organs caused by disease.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure; above.

Inferior

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure; below.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body or in front of.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body or behind.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body; on the inner side.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of a body part or its point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or its point of attachment to the trunk.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane dividing the body or organ into right and left parts. A 'midsagittal' plane divides it exactly in the midline.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A vertical plane dividing the body or organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane dividing the body or organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts (also known as horizontal or cross-sectional).

Oblique Plane

A diagonal plane cutting the body or organ at an angle.

Axial Region

The central part of the body, including the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Region

The limbs (upper and lower extremities) and their girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton.

Dorsal Cavity

Protects nervous system organs, includes the cranial cavity (brain) and vertebral cavity (spinal cord).

Ventral Cavity

Located at the front, containing internal organs, divided into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that create new bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue and sense stress.

Osteoclasts

Large cells that break down bone matrix, releasing minerals.

Compact Bone

Dense, hard outer layer of most bones, providing strength (cortical bone).

Spongy Bone

Porous, less dense inner layer of bone, found at bone ends and within flat bones, containing red bone marrow (cancellous bone).

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone, made of compact bone surrounding the medullary cavity.

Epiphysis

The ends of a long bone, primarily spongy bone, articulating with other bones.

Periosteum

A fibrous membrane covering most bone surfaces, important for bone growth, repair, and nutrition.

Medullary Cavity

The hollow central cavity in long bone diaphysis, filled with yellow bone marrow in adults.

Red Bone Marrow

Found in spongy bone, produces blood cells (hematopoiesis).

Yellow Bone Marrow

Found in the medullary cavity, stores fat as an energy reserve.

Cephalic

Refers to the entire head.

Cervical

Refers to the neck.

Frontal

Refers to the forehead.

Temporal

Refers to the temple region, side of the head above the ear.

Orbital or ocular

Refers to the eye region.

Otic

Refers to the ear.

Buccal

Refers to the cheek.

Nasal

Refers to the nose.

Oral

Refers to the mouth.

Mental

Refers to the chin.

Thoracic

Refers to the chest region.

Sternal

Refers to the sternum or breastbone.

Mammary

Refers to the breast.

Abdominal

Refers to the abdomen.

Umbilical

Refers to the navel (belly button).

Coxal

Refers to the hip.

Inguinal

Refers to the groin region.

Pelvic

Refers to the pelvis.

Axillary

Refers to the armpit.

Brachial

Refers to the upper arm.

Antecubital

Refers to the anterior surface of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Refers to the forearm.

Carpal

Refers to the wrist.

Palmar or volar

Refers to the palm of the hand.

Pollex

Refers to the thumb.

Manual

Refers to the entire hand.

Digital or phalangeal (fingers)

Refers to the fingers.

Femoral

Refers to the thigh.

Patellar

Refers to the kneecap area.

Crural (leg)

Refers to the leg, from knee to ankle.

Tarsal

Refers to the ankle.

Pedal

Refers to the entire foot.

Digital or phalangeal (toes)

Refers to the toes.

Hallux

Refers to the great toe (big toe).

Dorsum (top of foot)

Refers to the top surface of the foot.

Pubic

Refers to the pubic region.

Occipital

Refers to the back of the head or base of the skull.

Acromial

Refers to the shoulder region.

Scapular

Refers to the shoulder blade region.

Vertebral

Refers to the spinal column (backbone).

Olecranal or cubital

Refers to the posterior surface of the elbow.

Dorsal (back)

Refers to the entire back region of the trunk.

Lumbar

Refers to the lower back (loin) region.

Sacral

Refers to the sacrum, at the base of the spine.

Coccygeal

Refers to the coccyx (tailbone) region.

Gluteal

Refers to the buttock.

Perineal

Refers to the region between the anus and external genitalia.

Popliteal

Refers to the hollow area at the back of the knee.

Crural (calf)

Refers to the calf region of the lower leg.

Plantar

Refers to the sole of the foot.

Calcaneal

Refers to the heel of the foot.

Dorsum (back of hand)

Refers to the back surface of the hand.