Structural Organisation, Directional Terms & Body Planes – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key roots, levels of organisation, requirements for life, homeostatic concepts, organ systems, characteristics of life, directional terms, body planes, body regions, and major medical specialities from the lecture notes.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and organisation of body parts.

Physiology

The study of how body parts function and work together.

append-

Prefix meaning “to hang something”; seen in appendicular (pertaining to the limbs).

cardi-

Prefix meaning “heart”; seen in pericardium (membrane around the heart).

cran-

Prefix meaning “helmet”; relates to the skull region, as in cranial.

dors-

Prefix meaning “back”; gives dorsal (toward the back).

homeo-

Prefix meaning “same”; used in homeostasis (maintenance of a stable internal environment).

-logy

Suffix meaning “study of”; e.g., physiology – study of body functions.

meta-

Prefix meaning “change”; used in metabolism (chemical changes in the body).

pariet-

Prefix meaning “wall”; parietal membrane lines a cavity wall.

pelv-

Prefix meaning “basin”; refers to the pelvic cavity.

peri-

Prefix meaning “around”; pericardial membrane surrounds the heart.

pleur-

Prefix meaning “rib”; pleural membrane encloses the lungs.

-stasis

Suffix meaning “standing still”; in homeostasis, stable equilibrium.

-tomy

Suffix meaning “cutting”; anatomy involves cutting or removing body parts for study.

Atom

Smallest unit of a chemical element.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Macromolecule

Large, complex molecule such as a protein, lipid, carbohydrate, or nucleic acid.

Organelle

Specialised intracellular structure that performs a specific function.

Cell

Basic unit of structure and function in living organisms.

Tissue

Group of similar cells performing a common function.

Organ

Structure composed of two or more tissue types that performs a specific function.

Organ system

Group of organs that work together to accomplish a common purpose.

Organism

A complete living being, composed of interacting organ systems.

Water

Most abundant chemical in the body; solvent, transport medium, and temperature regulator.

Food (Nutrients)

Substances that provide energy, raw materials, and chemicals for regulation of vital reactions.

Oxygen

Gas making up ~20 % of air; required to release energy from nutrients.

Heat

Form of energy; product of metabolism that influences reaction rates (body temperature).

Pressure

Application of force (e.g., atmospheric pressure for breathing, blood pressure for circulation).

Homeostasis

Tendency to maintain a stable internal environment through self-regulating mechanisms.

Receptor

Sensor that detects a stimulus or change in the internal environment.

Set Point

The normal range or desired value of a physiological variable (e.g., 37 °C body temp).

Effector

Organ or cell that carries out response to restore homeostasis.

Digestive System

Organ system that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Muscular System

Organ system that produces body movement, posture, and heat.

Integumentary System

Organ system consisting of skin, hair, nails; protects body and regulates temperature.

Lymphatic System

System of vessels and nodes returning tissue fluid to blood and defending against infection.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones to regulate body processes.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system; detects stimuli and coordinates responses.

Skeletal System

Bones and joints; supports, protects, stores minerals, forms blood cells.

Male Reproductive System

Organs that produce sperm and male sex hormones.

Female Reproductive System

Organs that produce ova, female hormones, support fetal development, and childbirth.

Respiratory System

Organ system that exchanges gases between blood and air.

Urinary System

Removes wastes from blood and maintains water-salt balance.

Circulatory System

Heart and blood vessels that transport substances throughout the body.

Movement

Change in position of the body or of a body part; motion of an internal organ.

Responsiveness

Ability to sense and react to internal or external changes.

Growth

Increase in body size without change in shape.

Reproduction

Production of new organisms or new cells.

Respiration

Obtaining oxygen, removing carbon dioxide, and releasing energy from foods.

Digestion

Breaking down food into simpler forms for absorption.

Absorption

Passage of substances through membranes into body fluids.

Circulation

Movement of substances in body fluids.

Assimilation

Changing absorbed substances into chemically different forms.

Excretion

Removal of metabolic waste products.

Superior

Above another part; toward the head.

Inferior

Below another part; toward the feet.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Farther from the midline; toward the side.

Bilateral

Paired structures on each side of the midline.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk.

Superficial

Near the surface of the body.

Peripheral

Outward or near the surface; describes location of blood vessels and nerves.

Deep

More internal; farther from the surface.

Sagittal Plane

Lengthwise plane dividing the body into right and left portions.

Median (Midsagittal) Plane

Sagittal plane that lies exactly on the midline, creating equal halves.

Parasagittal Plane

Sagittal plane offset from the midline, producing unequal portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Epigastric Region

Upper middle abdominal region.

Right Hypochondriac Region

Upper right abdominal region, lateral to epigastric.

Left Hypochondriac Region

Upper left abdominal region, lateral to epigastric.

Umbilical Region

Central abdominal region surrounding the navel.

Right Lumbar (Lateral) Region

Middle right abdominal region.

Left Lumbar (Lateral) Region

Middle left abdominal region.

Hypogastric (Pubic) Region

Lower middle abdominal region.

Right Inguinal (Iliac) Region

Lower right abdominal region.

Left Inguinal (Iliac) Region

Lower left abdominal region.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Upper right quarter of the abdomen.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Upper left quarter of the abdomen.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Lower right quarter of the abdomen.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Lower left quarter of the abdomen.

Cardiology

Study of the heart and heart diseases.

Cytology

Study of cell structure, function, and abnormalities.

Dermatology

Study of the skin and its diseases.

Endocrinology

Study of hormones, their glands, and related disorders.

Epidemiology

Study of factors determining distribution and frequency of health conditions in populations.

Gastroenterology

Study of the stomach, intestines, and their diseases.

Geriatrics

Medical branch dealing with older individuals and their health problems.

Gerontology

Study of the aging process.

Gynecology

Study of the female reproductive system and its diseases.

Hematology

Study of blood and blood diseases.

Histology

Study of tissue structure and function; microscopic anatomy.

Immunology

Study of the body’s resistance to infectious disease.

Neonatology

Study of newborns and treatment of their disorders.