unit 1 glossary words physiology

anatomy

‘ana’ = apart ‘tomy’ = to cut

endocrine system

secretes hormones to regulate body functions such as growth and reproduction; made up of glands, each release different types of hormones; hypothalamus is the part of the brain that coordinates all of the glands; like the nervous system plays a role in coordination but acts more slowly; hormones travel in the blood

excretion

the process of removing excreta, or wastes, from the body

gross anatomy

large observable features

integumentary system

waterproofs body; elastic cushions the body preventing injury to internal tissues and organs; produces vitamin D; regulates body temperature through perspiration (sweating) and excretes waste; sensory receptors for ‘touch’; hair plays a role in thermoregulation and protection; skin prevents the body from drying out

metabolism

a broad term that refers to all chemical reactions that occur within the body and all of its cells

pharynx

throat

physiology

refers to function, ‘how’ parts work

skeletal muscles

muscles that are attached to bones

anterior

toward or at the end body; in front of

deep

away from the body surface; more internal

distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

inferior

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

intermediate

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

lateral

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

medial

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

posterior

toward or at the backside of the body; behind

proximal

close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

superficial

toward or at the boyd surface

superior

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

abdominal

anterior body trunk inferior to ribs

acromial

point of shoulder

antebrachial

forearm

antecubital

anterior surface of elbow

axillary

armpit

brachial

arm

buccal

cheek area

carpal

wrist

cervical

neck region

coxal

hip

crural

anterior leg; the shin

deltoid

curve of shoulder formed by large deltoid muscle

digital

fingers; toes

femoral

thigh (anterior and posterior)

fibular

lateral part of the leg

frontal

forehead

inguinal

area where thigh meets body trunk; groin

mental

chin

nasal

nose area

oral

mouth

orbital

eye area

patellar

anterior knee

pectoral

relating to, or occurring in or on, the chest

pelvic

area overflying the pelvis anteriorly

pubic

gential region

sternal

breastbone area

tarsal

ankle region

thoracic

area between the neck and abdomen, supported by the ribs, sternum and costal cartilages; chest

umbilical

navel

calcaneal

heel of foot

cephalic

head

fermoral

thigh

gluteal

buttock

lumbar

area of back between ribs and hips; the loin

occipital

posterior surface of head or base of skull

olecranal

posterior surface of elbow

popliteal

posterior knee area

sacral

area between hips at base of spine

scapular

shoulder blade region

sural

the posterior surface of leg; the calf

vertebral

area of spinal column