Foundational Concepts in Human Anatomy

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terminology, planes, directions, movements, and body systems based on clinical anatomy lecture notes.

Anatomy

A descriptive science that requires names for the many structures and processes of the body.

Gaster (Gastric)

The Latin term for stomach.

Deltoid

A term used for structures that are triangular-like, derived from the Greek letter delta.

Biceps/Triceps

Terms indicating a muscle has two or three heads.

Levator scapulae

A muscle named for its function: it elevates the scapula.

Anatomical Position

The body position where the person is standing upright, head, eyes, and toes directed anteriorly, arms adjacent to sides with palms facing anteriorly, and lower limbs close together with parallel feet.

Median Plane (AKA: Median Sagittal Plane)

Vertical anteroposterior plane passing longitudinally through the midline of the body, dividing it into right and left halves.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical planes passing through the body parallel to the median plane.

Frontal (Coronal) Planes

Vertical planes passing through the body at right angles to the median plane, dividing it into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal planes passing through the body at right angles to the median and frontal planes, dividing it into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Longitudinal Section

A cut made parallel to the long axis of the body.

Transverse Section

Also called cross sections; cuts made at right angles to the longitudinal axis.

Oblique Section

A cut made diagonally or sideways, not along standard anatomical planes.

Superior

Refers to a structure nearer to the topmost part of the cranium (vertex).

Inferior

Refers to a structure that is nearer to the sole of the foot.

Cranial

A directional orientation signifying movement toward the head or cranium.

Caudal

A directional orientation toward the feet, derived from the word 'cauda' meaning tail bone.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Represents the back surface of the body or anything nearer to the back region.

Anterior (Ventral)

Represents the front surface of the body.

Rostral

The anterior orientation while specifically encapsulating parts of the brain.

Medial

Refers to a structure located near to the median plane.

Lateral

Refers to a structure located farther away from the median plane.

Proximal

The structural position nearer to the attachment of a limb or closer to the central segment of a linear structure.

Distal

The position farther away from the attachment of a limb or the central part of a structure.

Dorsal Surface (Limbs)

The superior aspect of any anatomical linear structure, such as the back of the hand.

Palmar/Plantar Surface

The anterior surface of the hand (palm) or the sole of the foot.

Superficial

Describes a position nearer to the surface of the body.

Intermediate

Describes a position between a superficial and a deep structure.

Deep

Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

External

Outside or farther from the center of an organ or cavity.

Internal

Inside or closer to the center of an organ or cavity.

Bilateral

Paired structures having both right and left members.

Unilateral

Structures occurring on one side of the body only.

Ipsilateral

Occurring on the same side of the body as another structure.

Contralateral

Occurring on the opposite side of the body relative to another structure.

Flexion

A movement in the anterior direction that indicates decreasing the angle between bones or parts of the body.

Extension

A movement in the posterior direction that indicates increasing the angle between bones or parts of the body.

Dorsiflexion

Flexion at the ankle joint, such as when walking uphill or lifting the front of the foot toward the shin.

Plantarflexion

Bending the foot and toes toward the ground, as when standing on tiptoes.

Abduction

Moving a body part away from the median plane.

Adduction

Moving a body part towards the median plane.

Lateral Flexion

A special form of abduction for only the neck and trunk involving sideward movement.

Circumduction

A circular movement involving flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction; occurs in the shoulder and hip joints.

Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation)

Brings the anterior surface of a limb closer to the median plane.

Lateral Rotation (External Rotation)

Takes the anterior surface of a limb away from the median plane.

Pronation

Rotates the radius medially so the palm of the hand faces posteriorly and the dorsum faces anteriorly.

Supination

Rotational movement of the forearm that results in the palm facing anteriorly; the opposite of pronation.

Eversion

Moves the sole of the foot away from the median plane.

Inversion

Moves the sole of the foot toward the median plane.

Opposition

Movement where the pad of the thumb is brought to the pad of another digit.

Reposition

Movement of the thumb from the position of opposition back to its anatomical position.

Protrusion

Movement in an anterior direction, such as moving the mandible forward.

Retrusion

Movement in a posterior direction; the opposite of protrusion.

Protraction

Anterolateral movement, such as moving the shoulders forward.

Retraction

Posteromedial movement; the opposite of protraction.

Elevation

Raises or moves a body part superiorly, such as shrugging the shoulders.

Depression

Lowers or moves a body part inferiorly, such as lowering the shoulders.

Regional Anatomy

The study of the body's organization by major parts or segments (e.g., head, neck, trunk) and the relationship of various structures within those regions.

Surface Anatomy

The identification of deeper structures in living people through visualization or palpation of the body surface.

Triangle of Auscultation

A small triangular area on the back with a relatively thin chest wall, allowing clearer listening of lung sounds with a stethoscope.

Systemic Anatomy

The study of the body's organ systems (e.g., respiratory, digestive) that work together to carry out complex functions.

Integumentary System

Consists of the skin (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis) and its adnexal structures; acts as a barrier against fluid loss and pathogens.

Axial Skeleton

Consists of $80$ bones including the skull, ossicles, mandible, hyoid, rib cage, and vertebra.

Appendicular Skeleton

Consists of $126$ bones located in the upper and lower limbs.

Fibrous Joints

Types of joints that are immovable.

Cartilaginous Joints

Types of joints that are semi-movable.

Synovial Joints

Types of joints that are freely movable.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary somatic muscle that makes up the gross muscular system.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary visceral muscle that forms most of the walls of the heart.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary visceral muscle that forms part of the walls of most vessels and hollow organs.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord; acts as the sensor for homeostasis.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the brain to every part of the body; consists of the somatic and autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) systems.

Hematolymphoid System

System that secretes hormones and regulates bodily processes; includes primary organs (bone marrow, thymus) and secondary organs (lymph nodes, spleen).

Cardiovascular System

A component of the circulatory system consisting of the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries).

Lymphatic System

A component of the circulatory system that withdraws excess tissue fluid (lymph) from the interstitial compartment.

Respiratory System

Consists of air passages and lungs that supply oxygen to the blood; includes upper and lower respiratory tracts.

Digestive System

Consists of the tract from mouth to anus and associated glands; functions in ingestion, mastication, deglutition, digestion, absorption, and elimination.

Urinary System

Consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; filters blood and excretes urine.

Reproductive System

Consists of gonads (ovaries/testes), ducts, and genitalia for the production and union of oocytes and sperm.

Clinical Anatomy

Also called applied anatomy; emphasizes aspects of structure and function for medicine, dentistry, and allied health sciences usually by reversing standard thought processes.

Pleural Cavity

The space between the visceral and parietal layers of pleura that encloses each lung.

Pericardial Cavity

The potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium surrounding the heart.