Microscope Anatomy and Body Directional Terms

Vocabulary flashcards identifying compound microscope parts and key human anatomical directional terms.

Head (Microscope)

The top portion of a compound microscope that holds the ocular lens and upper optical components.

Ocular lens

The eyepiece lens located at the top of a compound microscope used for viewing the specimen.

Arm (Microscope)

The structural support component of a compound microscope that connects the head to the base.

Coarse adjustment

A focus control knob on a microscope used for making large, fast focusing movements.

Fine adjustment

A focus control knob on a microscope used for precise, small-scale focusing adjustments.

Scanning objective lens

The lowest power objective lens on a compound microscope used to locate and scan the specimen.

Oil immersion lens

A high-magnification objective lens on a compound microscope designed to be used with immersion oil.

Low power objective lens

An objective lens on a compound microscope that provides low-level magnification.

High power objective lens

An objective lens on a compound microscope that provides high-level magnification.

Nosepiece

The revolving circular structure on a compound microscope that holds the objective lenses.

Mechanical stage

The flat platform on a compound microscope equipped with clips or controls to hold and move the specimen slide.

Stage adjustment knob

A mechanical control knob used to precisely move the position of the mechanical stage.

Condenser

The optical component beneath the stage of a microscope that collects and focuses light onto the specimen.

Illumination

The light source built into the base of a compound microscope.

Brightness adjustment

A dial or control used to regulate the intensity of the illumination source on a microscope.

Light switch

The power switch on a microscope that turns the illumination light source on or off.

Base (Microscope)

The bottom platform that supports the entire compound microscope.

Superior (cephalic)

A directional term in human anatomy indicating a position toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior (caudal)

A directional term in human anatomy indicating a position away from the head or toward the lower part of the body.

Anterior (ventral)

A directional term in human anatomy referring to the front side of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

A directional term in human anatomy referring to the back side of the body.

Medial

A directional term in human anatomy referring to a position closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term in human anatomy referring to a position farther away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

A directional term in human anatomy indicating a position closer to the point of attachment or trunk of the body.

Distal

A directional term in human anatomy indicating a position farther from the point of attachment or trunk of the body.

Midline

The imaginary vertical axis dividing the human body into equal right and left halves in anatomical position.