A&P Portion - Hesi A2

Buccal

Relating to the cheek area of the face, specifically the inner lining of the cheek.

Cranial

Pertaining to the skull, which houses and protects the brain.

Facial

Relating to the face, encompassing all structures on the front of the head.

Frontal

Referring to the forehead region, the area above the eyebrows.

Nasal

Pertaining to the nose, the central structure on the face responsible for breathing and sense of smell.

Orbital

Concerning the eye socket, the bony cavity in the skull that contains the eye.

Otic

Relating to the ear, the organ responsible for hearing and balance.

Oral

Pertaining to the mouth, which is involved in food intake and speech.

Occipital

Referring to the back part of the head, specifically the area behind the skull.

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck region, which connects the head to the torso.

Pectoral

Relating to the anterior upper chest area, associated with the pectoral muscles.

Sternal

Referring to the breastbone, a flat bone located in the middle of the chest.

Ventral

Relating to the belly or abdominal front side of the body.

Umbilical

Pertaining to the navel area, which marks the point of attachment in fetal development.

Pubic

Relating to the genital area, which includes the external reproductive organs.

Dorsal

Referring to the back side of the body, opposite to the ventral side.

Scapular

Concerning the shoulder region, specifically the area around the scapula (shoulder blade).

Vertebral

Pertaining to the spine, which is the column of vertebrae that supports the body.

Lumbar

Relating to the lower back region, which is between the rib cage and pelvis.

Acromial

Referring to the highest part of the shoulder, where the arm meets the shoulder blade.

Axillary

Concerning the armpit area, situated under the junction of the arm and torso.

Brachial

Pertaining to the arm region, encompassing the upper arm.

Olecranal

Referring to the posterior part of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Pertaining to the forearm, the area between the elbow and wrist.

Cubital

Referring to the anterior part of the elbow.

Carpal

Pertaining to the wrist, which is composed of multiple small bones.

Palmar

Relating to the palm of the hand.

Digital/Phalanges

Pertaining to the fingers and toes, which are referred to as digits.

Fibular (Peroneal)

Referring to the lateral part of the leg, associated with the fibula bone.

Tarsal

Pertaining to the ankle region, which consists of seven tarsal bones.

Pedal

Relating to the foot.

Plantar

Referring to the sole of the foot, the bottom surface.

Coxal

Pertaining to the hip area.

Gluteal

Relating to the buttocks region of the body.

Inguinal

Referring to the groin area, the junction of the abdomen and thigh.

Femoral

Pertaining to the thigh region.

Patellar

Referring to the anterior part of the knee, associated with the kneecap.

Popliteal

Relating to the posterior part of the knee.

Crural

Pertaining to the lower leg, commonly known as the shin.

Sural

Referring to the calf region of the leg.

Anatomy

The science that studies the structure of the body and its parts.

Physiology

The study of the functional processes of the body and how its parts work together.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Mitochondria

The organelles known as the powerhouse of the cell; they produce ATP through cellular respiration.

Ribosomes

Cell structures that synthesize proteins from amino acids, fundamental for cell growth and repair.

Nucleus

The cellular structure that contains genetic material (DNA) and regulates cell activity.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of membranes that synthesizes proteins and lipids and transports them throughout the cell.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, packages, and sorts proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, crucial for protecting vital organs.

Appendicular Skeleton

The portion of the skeleton comprising the limbs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle, facilitating movement and support.

Bone Types

Classified as long (e.g., Femur, Humerus), short (e.g., Carpals, Tarsals), flat (e.g., Sternum, Skull), irregular (e.g., Vertebrae, Mandible), and sesamoid (e.g., Patella), each serving specific functions.

Osteoblasts

Cells that build bone by synthesizing bone matrix and facilitating mineralization.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down bone tissue, playing a critical role in bone remodeling.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue and communicate with other bone cells.

Skeletal Muscle

Muscle tissue that is voluntary and striated, responsible for body movements.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle found in the heart, characterized by striations, and responsible for pumping blood.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle found in the walls of hollow organs, non-striated, and responsible for movement of substances.

Sarcomere

The basic contractile unit of striated muscle, composed of actin and myosin filaments that contract to produce muscle movements.

Heart Chambers

The heart comprises four chambers: Right Atrium and Right Ventricle (handling deoxygenated blood) and Left Atrium and Left Ventricle (pumping oxygenated blood).

Blood Flow Path

The pathway through which blood travels: Superior/Inferior Vena Cava → Right Atrium → Right Ventricle → Pulmonary Arteries → Lungs → Pulmonary Veins → Left Atrium → Left Ventricle → Aorta → Body.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body, except for the pulmonary artery.

Veins

Blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood to the heart, except for the pulmonary vein, which carries oxygenated blood.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues.

Diaphragm

A muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and contracts during inhalation and relaxes for exhalation.

Mouth

The entry point for food where mechanical digestion starts (chewing) and chemical digestion begins with saliva.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach through peristalsis.

Stomach

A muscular organ that uses hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes (e.g., pepsin) to break down food into a semi-liquid form.

Small Intestine

The primary site for nutrient absorption, composed of three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Large Intestine

Also known as the colon, responsible for water absorption and the elimination of waste products.

Kidneys

Pair of organs that filter blood to remove waste and excess substances, regulating water balance in the body.

Nephrons

The functional units of the kidneys that filter blood and produce urine.

Ureters

Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder for storage.

Bladder

A hollow muscular organ that stores urine before it is expelled from the body.

Urethra

The duct through which urine is expelled from the bladder out of the body.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that acts as a master regulator, controlling the pituitary gland and various homeostatic functions.

Pituitary Gland

The anterior part of the pituitary gland produces hormones such as growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

Thyroid Gland

An endocrine gland that regulates metabolism through hormones T3 and T4.

Adrenal Glands

Endocrine glands located atop the kidneys, producing hormones involved in the stress response, such as cortisol and adrenaline.

Pancreas

An organ that regulates blood sugar levels by producing hormones such as insulin and glucagon.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and coordinating responses.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, connecting them to limbs and organs.

Somatic Nervous System

A component of the PNS that controls voluntary muscle movements and transmits sensory information.

Autonomic Nervous System

A component of the PNS that controls involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion.

Erythrocytes (RBCs)

Red blood cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues back to the lungs via hemoglobin.

Leukocytes (WBCs)

White blood cells that play key roles in the immune system to protect the body against infections.

Neutrophils

A type of white blood cell that acts as the first responders to microbial infection.

Lymphocytes

Types of white blood cells including B cells (which produce antibodies) and T cells (which are involved in cell-mediated immunity).

Monocytes

Large white blood cells that transform into macrophages, which help in long-term immune defense.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that combat parasites and are involved in allergic reactions.

Basophils

A type of white blood cell that releases histamine and contributes to inflammation during allergic responses.

Platelets

Cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting and hemostasis.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sections, allowing for movements such as flexion and extension.

Midsagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves, with movements occurring along the midline, such as bending forward.

Parasagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right sections, enabling asymmetrical movements away from the midline.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections; lateral movements occur in this plane.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections; rotational movements occur in this plane.

Superior (Cranial)

A directional term indicating a structure is closer to the head; for example, the nose is superior to the mouth.

Inferior (Caudal)

A directional term indicating a structure is closer to the feet; for example, the stomach is inferior to the heart.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body; for example, the sternum is anterior to the spine.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body; for example, the spine is posterior to the heart.