Honors Anatomy Unit 1

Superior

A part that is above another part, above, used for the axial region of the body

Inferior

A part that is below another part, below, used for the axial region of the body

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back

Medial

A position that is closer to the imaginary midline of the body

Lateral

A position that is farther away from the midline

Axial portion

The head, neck/spine, and trunk

Appendicular portion

Arms, legs, shoulder, pelvis, and attachments

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment, used for the appendicular region of the body

Distal

Farther away from the point of attachment, used for the appendicular region of the body

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body

Physiology

Study of the function of the body

Chemicals

Atoms and molecules

Cells

Smallest structural unit of the body

Tissue

Group of similar cells that perform a common function

Organs

Group of various tissues that perform a special function

Organ system

Group of organs that perform a complex function

Organism

A living thing

Anatomical position

A reference position used to describe the body and its parts

Superficial

Nearer the surface of the body

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body

Sagittal plane

Divides body/parts into left and right sections

Mid-sagittal plane

Equally divides body into left and right halves

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides body or parts into front and back sections

Transverse plane

Divides body or parts into upper and lower sections

Cavities

Contain the internal organs, are covered in membranes to hold in place, protect, and provide lubrication

Dorsal cavity

Cranial and spinal cavities

Cranial cavity

Brain

Spinal cavity

Spinal chord

Ventral cavity

Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Thoracic cavity

Mediastinum and pleural cavities

Mediastinum

Heart

Pleural cavities

Lungs

Abdominopelvic cavity

Abdominal and pelvic cavities

Abdominal cavity

Liver, stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys

Pelvic cavity

Bladder, reproductive organs

Diaphragm

Separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity, a muscle important in breathing

Body regions

Specific areas of the body

a-, an-

without

homeo-

same

hyper-

above

hypo-

below

-al, -ac, -ic

pertaining to

-cyte

cell

-ectomy

removal

-gen

creates

-itis

inflammation

-logy

study of

-plasty

surgical repair

-stasis

control/stop

cardi-

heart

crani-

skull

derm-, dermat-

skin

gastr-

stomach

hepat-

liver

neur-

nerve

oste-

bone

path-

disease

brady-

slow

endo-

inside/within

tachy-

fast

my

muscle

-ia

state of being

Stimulus

Change in the environment that needs to be regulated, change in variable

Receptor

Detects/senses change and sends message to the integrator

Integrator

Interprets message, compares the variable to the normal range, and determines the proper response (control center)

Effector

Carries out the determined response to adjust the variable