HESI A&P general terminology

general terminology or anatomy and physiology

Anatomic position

provides a baseline reference point for areas of the body. The body is erect with palms of the hands are facing forward.

Planes

are imaginary flat plates

Sagittal plane

divides the body or body part into right and left sides

Midsagittal plane

divides the body into equal right and left halves

Frontal (coronal) plane

divides the body or body part into front anterior and back posterior sections

Transverse (horizontal) plane

divides the body or body part into upper superior and lower inferior sections

superior

above

inferior

below

anterior

toward the front

posterior

toward the back

medial

toward the midline

lateral

away from the midline

proximal

closer to the point of attachment of the extremity to the trunk

distal

farther away from the point of attachment of the extremity to the trunk

superficial

closer to or at the surface of the body

deep

further into the body

Dorsal cavity

includes the cranial and spinal cavities and the ventral cavity, which includes the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Cytology

study of cells

Cell

basic unit of all life; the parts of the cell are plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles

the nucleus contains

DNA which is genetic material that codes for proteins

ribosomes

synthesize proteins

Rough ER and Smooth ER

rough ER has ribosomes for synthesizing proteins and smooth ER synthesizes lipids and carbohydrates

Golgi apparatus

packages substances from ER

Mitochondria

synthesize adenosine triphosphate ATP, which is the body’s energy molecule

lysosomes

digest molecules such as pathogens and worn-out cell parts

Centrioles

organize and move chromosomes during cell reproduction

Cilia

are extensions that move substances over the surface of the cell

Mitosis

process of cell division; DNA is duplicated and distributed evenly to two identical daughter cells

Meiosis

special cell division takes place in the gonads (ovaries/testes) In this process, the number of chromosomes is reduced from 46 to 23

Histology

is the study of tissues

Four types of cell tissue

epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue

epithelial tissue

covers, lines, and protects the body and its internal organs

Glandular epithelium

secretes substances such as mucus, enzymes, and hormones

connective tissue

forms the framework of the body, providing support and structure for the organs, it is the most abundant tissue in the body

Types of connective tissue

areolar, adipose, reticular, and dense

Nervous tissue

composed of neurons, which initiate and conduct nerve impulses and connective tissue cells called neuroglia, which support neurons

muscle tissue

has ability to contract, shorten, and lengthen it is classified as voluntary (skeletal muscles) or involuntary (smooth and cardiac muscle tissue)