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Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts, focusing on 'what it looks like'.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work or function.

Atom

The basic building blocks of matter.

Molecule

A combination of 2 or more atoms.

Cell

The smallest unit of living things.

Tissue

Groups of cells that have a common function.

Organ

Two or more tissues working together to perform a common function.

Organ System

Two or more organs working together to perform a common function.

Organism

A single living thing.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecules that serve as a source of short-term energy and storage; includes monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Lipids

Biomolecules that include fats, cholesterol, and steroids, serving functions such as long-term energy storage and cell-to-cell communication.

Proteins

Biomolecules made of amino acids that function as enzymes, hormones, and structural components, determined by their shape.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules such as DNA that carry genetic information.

Prokaryotes

Cells without a membrane-bound nucleus, typically unicellular, and characterized by circular DNA.

Eukaryotes

Cells with a membrane-bound nucleus and linear DNA, can be unicellular or multicellular.

Cell Specialization

The process by which cells develop unique structures that suit their functions, enabled by gene regulation.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that communicates information through the body and responds to stimuli.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue that contracts to produce movement.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that provides protection, absorption, filtration, and secretion.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that connects body parts to each other.

Integumentary System

Protects the body from bacteria, infection, and injury.

Skeletal System

Provides shape, allows movement, and produces blood cells.

Muscular System

Responsible for movement and muscle contraction.

Nervous System

Sends messages from various parts of the body to the brain and vice-versa.

Cardiovascular System

Pumps blood from the heart to the lungs and to the rest of the body.

Respiratory System

Moves fresh air into the body while removing waste gases.

Digestive System

Digests and absorbs food and excretes waste products.

Urinary System

Filters blood and creates urine as a waste product.

Reproductive System

Produces eggs and sperm cells.

Endocrine System

Releases and regulates hormones into the bloodstream.

Lymphatic System

Keeps body fluid levels balanced.

Anatomical Position

A standard position of the body: upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Anterior

At or near the front.

Posterior

At or near the back.

Superior

Above or higher.

Inferior

Below or lower.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment.

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.

Long Bones

Bones that are longer than they are wide; examples include the humerus and femur.

Short Bones

Generally cube-shaped; examples include wrist and ankle bones.

Flat Bones

Thin, flat, usually somewhat curved; examples include the skull and sternum.

Irregular Bones

Bones that do not fit into previous categories due to their odd shape; examples include vertebrae.

Compact Bone Tissue

Dense, tough bone tissue that looks smooth and solid.

Spongy Bone Tissue

Lighter, softer bone tissue with more open space.

Fibrous Joint

An immovable joint connected by fibrous tissue; example includes sutures in the skull.

Cartilaginous Joint

A semi-movable joint connected by cartilage; example includes joints between vertebrae.

Synovial Joint

A freely movable joint enclosed in a fluid-filled cavity.

Agonist Muscle

The muscle that is contracting or shortening.

Antagonist Muscle

The muscle that is relaxing or lengthening.

Origin of a Muscle

The less movable end of the muscle/tendon attached to a bone.

Insertion of a Muscle

The more flexible end of the muscle usually attached to a bone via tendons.

Epimysium

Connective tissue covering a muscle.

Fascicle

A bundle of muscle fibers.

Perimysium

Connective tissue covering a fascicle.

Muscle Fiber (Cell)

Another name for a muscle cell.

Endomysium

Connective tissue covering a muscle fiber/cell.

Myofibril

Contractile fibers in a muscle fiber/cell.

Sarcolemma

Plasma membrane covering a muscle fiber/cell.

Sarcomere

The contractile unit of a skeletal muscle.

Z Disc

Anchoring proteins in a sarcomere where thin filaments attach.

Thick Filaments / Myosin

Larger protein fibers in a myofibril composed of myosin proteins.

Thin Filaments / Actin

Smaller protein fibers in a myofibril composed of actin proteins.

M Line

Anchoring proteins in a sarcomere where thick filaments attach.

Dark (A) Band

Darker band in skeletal muscle due to overlapping thick and thin filaments.

H Zone

Zone between the ends of both thin filaments containing only thick filaments.

Light (I) Band

Lighter band in skeletal muscle containing only thin filaments.