Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, and Physiology for Speech Pathology – Vocabulary Drill

150 vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms from Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Physiology, and related speech-pathology systems.

Anatomy

The scientific study of the structure of organisms and their parts.

Physiology

The study of the functions and chemical processes of living organisms.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference posture: body upright, facing observer, palms & toes forward.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions.

Mid-Sagittal Plane

Sagittal cut exactly on the body’s midline.

Para-Sagittal Plane

Sagittal cut that is off-center from the midline.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Plane separating the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Plane separating the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Rostral (Cranial)

Toward the head or superior end.

Caudal

Toward the tail or inferior end.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to a reference point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from a reference point of attachment.

Superior

Above or toward the head.

Inferior

Below or toward the feet.

Extrinsic

Originating outside the structure acted upon.

Intrinsic

Located within the structure acted upon.

Tissue

A group of similar cells performing a common function.

Epithelial Tissue

Protective surface tissue forming membranes and barriers.

Striated Muscle

Voluntary, skeletal muscle with striped appearance.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle of organs and blood vessels.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle of the heart.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue specialized for communication via electrical signals.

Connective Tissue

Supportive tissue including bone, cartilage, fat, and blood.

Troponin

Calcium-binding protein that regulates skeletal muscle contraction.

Myosin

Thick filament whose heads pull actin during contraction.

Actin

Thin filament that slides past myosin in muscle contraction.

Cross-Bridge

Temporary bond between myosin head and actin filament.

Power Stroke

Myosin head pivot that pulls actin toward the sarcomere center.

Flexion

Bending a joint toward the ventral surface.

Extension

Straightening a joint away from the ventral surface.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from midline.

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward midline.

Elevation

Movement in a superior direction.

Depression

Movement in an inferior direction.

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm turning the palm downward.

Supination

Rotation of the forearm turning the palm upward.

Prefix

Word part placed before a root to modify meaning.

Suffix

Word part added after a root to form a term.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Cranial and spinal nerves connecting CNS to the body.

Somatic Nervous System

PNS division controlling voluntary skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

PNS division regulating involuntary functions.

Sympathetic Division

Autonomic branch that expends energy (fight-or-flight).

Parasympathetic Division

Autonomic branch that conserves energy (rest-and-digest).

Neuraxis

Axis of the CNS; turns 90° at midbrain-diencephalon junction.

Neuron

Excitable cell transmitting nerve impulses.

Axon

Neuron process carrying impulses away from the soma.

Dendrite

Branching process receiving impulses toward the soma.

Soma (Cell Body)

Neuron region containing nucleus; integrates signals.

Gray Matter

CNS regions rich in neuron cell bodies; processing centers.

White Matter

CNS regions rich in myelinated axons; communication tracts.

Corpus Callosum

Major commissural fiber connecting cerebral hemispheres.

Sulcus

Shallow groove on cerebral surface.

Fissure

Deep groove separating large brain regions.

Gyrus

Elevated ridge between brain sulci.

Brodmann Area

Cortical region defined by cytoarchitecture and function.

Frontal Lobe

Anterior cerebral lobe for motor and executive functions.

Primary Motor Cortex (BA 4)

Precentral gyrus controlling voluntary skeletal muscles.

Premotor Cortex (BA 6)

Area planning and learning motor actions.

Broca's Area (BA 44, 45)

Left frontal region for speech production.

Parietal Lobe

Cerebral lobe for somatosensory processing and integration.

Primary Sensory Cortex

Postcentral gyrus receiving bodily sensation.

Temporal Lobe

Lobe involved in hearing and language comprehension.

Primary Auditory Cortex (BA 41)

Superior temporal gyrus region receiving sound input.

Wernicke's Area (BA 22)

Left posterior temporal region for language comprehension.

Occipital Lobe

Posterior lobe responsible for vision.

Limbic System

Brain structures governing emotion and memory.

Amygdala

Limbic nucleus critical for fear and reward responses.

Hippocampus

Limbic structure essential for memory formation.

Basal Ganglia

Deep gray matter nuclei modulating movement and cognition.

Thalamus

Relay station for sensory and motor signals to cortex.

Hypothalamus

Autonomic and endocrine control center beneath thalamus.

Midbrain

Rostral brainstem segment with visual/auditory reflex centers.

Pons

Middle brainstem section linking cerebellum and cerebrum.

Medulla Oblongata

Caudal brainstem controlling vital autonomic functions.

Cerebellum

Hindbrain structure coordinating movement and balance.

Meninges

Three protective membranes covering brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Tough outer meningeal layer.

Arachnoid Mater

Web-like middle meningeal layer.

Pia Mater

Delicate inner meningeal layer on CNS surface.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid cushioning and nourishing the CNS.

Circle of Willis

Arterial ring providing collateral cerebral blood flow.

Upper Motor Neuron (UMN)

Cortical/brainstem neuron projecting to lower motor neurons.

Lower Motor Neuron (LMN)

Spinal or cranial nerve neuron innervating muscle fibers.

Corticospinal Tract

Pyramidal pathway controlling limb and trunk muscles.

Corticobulbar Tract

Pathway controlling cranial nerve motor nuclei.

Rubrospinal Tract

Extrapyramidal tract facilitating limb flexors.

Reticulospinal Tract

Extrapyramidal tract modulating tone and posture.

Vestibulospinal Tract

Extrapyramidal tract maintaining balance and head position.

Tectospinal Tract

Tract mediating head & eye movements to visual stimuli.

Ataxia

Uncoordinated movement due to cerebellar damage.

Parkinson's Disease

Basal ganglia disorder with bradykinesia and tremor.

Huntington's Disease

Genetic degeneration causing choreic hyperkinesia.

Diaphragm

Primary inspiratory muscle innervated by phrenic nerve.

External Intercostals

Muscles elevating ribs during quiet inspiration.

Internal Intercostals

Muscles depressing ribs during forced expiration.