A&P Test Study Guide - Anatomical Terms, Tissues, and Skin Structure

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical directional terms, standard anatomical position, planes, abdominopelvic quadrants/regions, body cavities, organ systems, tissue classification, and skin structural components.

Superior

Anatomical direction meaning above or toward the head (e.g., cranial is superior to cervical; knee is superior to tarsal).

Inferior

Anatomical direction meaning below or toward the feet.

Anterior (ventral)

Anatomical direction meaning toward the front (e.g., sternal is anterior to vertebral).

Posterior (dorsal)

Anatomical direction meaning toward the back.

Medial

Anatomical direction meaning toward the midline (e.g., umbilical is medial to brachial).

Lateral

Anatomical direction meaning away from the midline (e.g., ears are lateral to the nose).

Proximal

Anatomical direction meaning closer to point of attachment.

Distal

Anatomical direction meaning farther away from point of attachment (e.g., carpal is distal to brachial).

Standard Anatomical Position

Body position standing upright and facing forward, head/eyes forward, feet flat and generally forward, and arms at sides with palms facing forward and thumbs pointing laterally.

Sagittal Plane

Anatomical section that divides the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal (median) Plane

Anatomical section that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Frontal (coronal) Plane

Anatomical section that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (horizontal) Plane

Anatomical section that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

The four divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity: RUQ, LUQ, RLQ (associated with the appendix), and LLQ.

Central 9-Region Column

The vertical sequence of central abdominopelvic regions: Epigastric $\rightarrow$ Umbilical $\rightarrow$ Hypogastric.

Thoracic Cavity

Body cavity containing the heart and lungs.

Abdominal Cavity

Body cavity containing the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, and much of the intestines.

Thyroid Gland

An endocrine system gland located in the neck region.

Pancreas

Organ located in the abdominal cavity that serves both digestive and endocrine functions.

Large Intestine

Organ that absorbs water/electrolytes and helps form and move feces.

Digestive System

Organ system that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Respiratory System

Organ system that brings oxygen in and removes carbon dioxide.

Urinary System

Organ system that filters blood, removes waste in urine, and regulates water/electrolytes.

Lymphatic System

Organ system that returns excess tissue fluid, supports immune defense, filters lymph, and transports certain absorbed fats.

Apical Surface

The exposed or free side of epithelial tissue.

Basal Surface

The bottom side of epithelial tissue toward the basement membrane.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Tissue consisting of one thin layer of flat cells functioning in rapid diffusion/filtration and reducing friction; found in lung alveoli.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Tissue consisting of a single layer of cube-shaped cells with round central nuclei functioning in secretion and absorption; found in kidney tubules.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Tissue consisting of a single layer of tall cells with basal nuclei that may contain goblet cells/microvilli, functioning in absorption and secretion; found in the small intestine.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Tissue with nuclei at different heights where all cells contact the basement membrane, often ciliated with goblet cells; functions in secreting and moving mucus in the trachea.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Tissue with multiple layers and flattened apical cells functioning in protection from abrasion and physical damage; found in the esophagus.

Areolar Connective Tissue

Tissue with loose collagen and elastic fibers with scattered cells that wraps/cushions, binds tissues, and holds fluid; located beneath epithelium.

Adipose Connective Tissue

Fat-storing connective tissue featuring large adipocytes with nuclei pushed toward edges; functions in energy storage, insulation, and cushioning/protection in the hypodermis and around kidneys.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Connective tissue composed of densely packed parallel collagen fibers providing strong attachment and resisting tension mainly in one direction; found in tendons.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Connective tissue with thick collagen fibers arranged in many directions providing strength and resisting tension from multiple directions; found in the dermis.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue consisting of a liquid extracellular matrix (plasma) with RBCs, WBCs, and platelets; functions in transport, immune defense, and clotting in heart chambers and blood vessels.

Hyaline Cartilage

Connective tissue with a firm smooth matrix and chondrocytes in lacunae; provides support, cushioning, and compression resistance in tracheal cartilage rings.

Epidermis

Outermost skin layer composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that protects against injury, pathogens, and water loss.

Dermis

Connective-tissue layer beneath the epidermis containing vessels, nerves, glands, follicles, and sensory receptors; consists of papillary and reticular layers.

Papillary Layer

Superficial dermal layer made mainly of areolar connective tissue; contains dermal papillae, capillaries, and sensory endings.

Reticular Layer

Deeper and thicker dermal layer made mainly of dense irregular connective tissue; provides strength and houses many skin appendages.

Subcutaneous Tissue (Hypodermis)

Layer beneath the dermis consisting mostly of areolar/adipose tissue that anchors, cushions, insulates, and stores energy; not technically part of the skin.

Dermal Papillae

Fingerlike or wavy projections of the papillary dermis into the epidermis at the epidermis-dermis border that increase surface contact and contain capillaries/sensory endings.

Hair Shaft

Visible portion of hair projecting above the epidermis made of dead keratinized cells.

Hair Root

Part of the hair located below the skin surface, enclosed by the follicle.

Hair Follicle

Tubular epidermal sheath surrounding the hair root and supporting hair production and growth.

Sebaceous (oil) Gland

Gland commonly attached to a hair follicle appearing as grape-like lobules; produces sebum to lubricate and protect hair and skin.

Arrector Pili Muscle

Small smooth muscle attached to a follicle appearing as a narrow diagonal band; contraction raises hair (goose bumps) and helps expel sebum.

Eccrine Sweat Gland

Coiled tubular gland with a duct traveling to a surface sweat pore that secretes watery sweat important for cooling and temperature control.

Sweat Pore

Opening at the epidermal surface through which sweat exits from a sweat duct.

Sensory Nerve Fiber with Free Nerve Ending

Unencapsulated, thin branching nerve ending without a capsule that detects pain, temperature, itch, and some crude touch.

Lamellar Corpuscle (Pacinian Corpuscle)

Large, deep, onion-like receptor located deep in the dermis/hypodermis sensitive to deep pressure and high-frequency vibration.

Hair Follicle Receptor (Root Hair Plexus)

Sensory nerve network or fibers wrapped around a hair follicle/root that detects hair movement and light touch.

Tactile Corpuscle (Meissner Corpuscle)

Small superficial encapsulated receptor located close to the epidermis in dermal papillae of hairless skin; detects light touch and low-frequency vibration.

Dermal Vascular Plexus

Network of larger blood vessels in the deeper dermis that supplies skin tissues and participates in temperature regulation.