Laboratory Activity 01: The Language of Anatomy

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering functional characteristics of organisms, organ systems, body regions, directional terminology, anatomical planes, abdominal quadrants, and body cavities.

Maintenance of Boundaries

The functional characteristic that keeps the body's internal environment distinct from the external environment, occurring at the cellular level via membranes and for the whole organism via the skin.

Reproduction

The functional characteristic that provides new cells for growth and repair at a cellular level, as well as generating new individuals.

Growth

An increase in size that happens when constructive activities occur at a faster rate than destructive activities.

Digestion

The process of breaking down ingested food into its chemical building blocks so it can be absorbed.

Excretion

The removal of waste products from the body, such as carbon dioxide by the lungs and nitrogenous wastes by the kidneys.

Responsiveness

The ability to sense and react to stimuli, in which the nervous system plays a major role.

Movement

Activities promoted by the muscular and skeletal systems, such as walking, throwing a ball, or riding a bicycle.

Metabolism

A broad term that includes all chemical reactions occurring within the body.

Axillary

Anatomical regional term referring to the armpit.

Cervical

Anatomical regional term referring to the neck region.

Pectoral

Anatomical regional term referring to the breast/chest area.

Pubic

Anatomical regional term referring to the genital region.

Carpal

Anatomical regional term referring to the wrist.

Umbilical

Anatomical regional term referring to the navel.

Buccal

Anatomical regional term referring to the cheek.

Antecubital

Anatomical regional term referring to the anterior surface of the elbow.

Cephalic

Anatomical regional term referring to the head.

Anterior

Directional term meaning toward or at the front of the body; in humans, equivalent to the ventral surface.

Posterior

Directional term meaning toward or at the backside of the body (e.g., calves and shoulder blades).

Superior

Directional term meaning above or toward the head/upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Directional term meaning below or toward the lower part of a structure; in quadruped animals, the ventral surface is inferior.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body (e.g., ears relative to the nose).

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body (e.g., breastbone relative to the shoulders).

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the origin of a body part or point of attachment (e.g., elbow relative to the fingers).

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the origin of a body part or point of attachment (e.g., elbow relative to the shoulder).

Transverse Section

A plane of cut that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior parts.

Frontal Section

A plane of cut that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior parts.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant housing organs such as the liver, pancreas, and kidney.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant housing organs such as the pancreas, spleen, and liver.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant housing structures such as the right ovary.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant housing structures such as the left ovary.

Cranial Cavity

Body cavity in the skull that protects the brain and houses organs such as the pituitary gland.

Vertebral Cavity

Body cavity running within the vertebral column that houses the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Superior division of the ventral body cavity housing organs such as the trachea and lungs.

Abdominal Cavity

Superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity housing organs like the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, and liver.

Pelvic Cavity

Inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity housing organs such as the urinary bladder.