anatomy test #1 key terms

abdominal cavity

Contains stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver, and other organs

abdominopelvic cavity

abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity

anatomical position

hands at sides, palms forward

anatomy

The study of body structure

atoms

smallest unit of matter

cardiovascualr system

heart, blood vessels, blood

cells

Basic unit of life

control center

processes the signal and sends instructions

coronal section

Divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and front, or posterior and anterior) portions; also referred to as frontal portion

cranial cavity

contains the brain

cross section

the intersection of a solid and a plane

Diaphragm

Large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing

digestive system

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells.

dorsal body cavity

contains the cranial cavity and spinal column

effector

an organ or cell that acts in response to a stimulus.

endocrine system

secretes regulatory hormones (growth, reproduction, metabolism)

Excretion

Process by which metabolic wastes are eliminated from the body

frontal section

divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

Homeostasis

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

homeostatic imbalance

disturbance of homeostasis

integumentary system

skin, hair, nails (forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissue from injury, location of nerve receptors)

Irritability

ability to respond to stimuli

lymphatic system

Composed of a network of vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs. Provides defense against infection.

median section

separates the body into equal right and left halves

Mediastinum

space between the lungs

Midsagittal (Median) Section

Any section that divides the body into right and left

Movement

an act of changing physical location or position or of having this changed.

muscular system

produces movement, maintain posture, produces heat

negative feedback

Includes most homeostatic control mechanisms

Shuts off the original stimulus, or reduces its intensity

Works like a household thermostat

nervous system

fast-acting control system of the body; responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands

organ

A collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body

organ system

A group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions.

pelvic cavity

Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

physiology

The study of body function

plane

a flat surface that has no thickness and extends forever

positive feedback

increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther; In the body this only occurs in blood clotting and during the birth of a baby

mechanisms

a process or technique for achieving a result

Receptor

Responds to changes in the environment (stimuli)

Sends information to control center

reproductive system

Reproduce offspring- produce male sex cells (sperm) and female sex cells (oocytes)

respiratory system

keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide

responsivness (irritability)

ability to sense changes and react

sagittal section

divides the body (or organ) into left and right parts

section

a separate part of something

skeletal system

Protects and supports body organs; provides muscle attachment for movement; site of blood cell formation (marrow); stores minerals

thoracic cavity

contains heart and lungs

tissues

Groups of cells with a common structure and function.

transverse section

urinary system

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body. Regulates water, electrolyte and acid-base balance of the blood.

ventral body cavity

thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity