Anatomy Terminology, Cells & Embryology – Seminar 1 Review

Ten question-and-answer flashcards covering key terminology, body planes, regions, cavities, cell surface specializations, and early embryology from Seminar 1.

In the standard anatomical position, where are the palms facing and where are the eyes looking?

Palms face anteriorly with upper limbs at the sides, and the head is upright with eyes looking straight forward (anteriorly).

What do the directional terms "anterior" and "posterior" mean?

Anterior means toward the front of the body; posterior means toward the back of the body.

How do the terms "proximal" and "distal" describe locations on a limb?

Proximal indicates a structure closer to the trunk, while distal indicates a structure farther from the trunk.

Name the three major anatomical planes used to section the body.

Coronal (frontal) plane, sagittal plane (midsagittal or parasagittal), and transverse (horizontal) plane.

Which proper anatomical term replaces the everyday word "arm," and how is it further divided?

Upper limb; it is subdivided into arm (shoulder to elbow), forearm (elbow to wrist), and hand (wrist and distal).

Which body cavity houses the heart and lungs, and what muscular structure separates it from the abdominal cavity?

The thoracic cavity houses the heart and lungs, and it is separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm.

What are microvilli and what is their primary function?

Microvilli are small, immotile finger-like projections on a cell’s apical surface that increase surface area for absorption or secretion (e.g., in the small intestine).

Give one key difference between cilia and microvilli.

Cilia are motile, hair-like projections that sweep substances along (e.g., in the respiratory tract), whereas microvilli are non-motile projections that mainly enlarge surface area.

What is gastrulation, and what structure results from it?

Gastrulation is the process (around week 3) in which the bilaminar embryonic disc forms a third layer, creating the trilaminar embryonic disc with ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

Which primary germ layer gives rise to the brain and spinal cord?

The ectoderm (specifically the neuroectoderm portion of the ectoderm).