Week 1 PHYL 141 Exam

abdominal cavity

the space bounded by the abdominal walls

abdominopelvic cavity

division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the abdominal and pelvic viscera

anatomical position

standard reference position used for describing locations and directions on the human body

anatomy

science that studies the form and composition of the body’s structures

anterior

describes the front or direction toward the front of the body; also referred to as ventral

atoms

the simplest form of matter that can be combined to make molecules

caudal

describes a position below or lower; also called inferior

cell

the basic structural unit of all organisms

cervical

relating to the neck

control center

compares values to their normal range; deviations activate an effector, maintaining homeostasis

cranial

describes a position above or higher; also called superior

cranial cavity

division of the posterior cavity that houses the brain

deep

farther from the surface of the body

diaphragm

partition separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity

differentiation

process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function

distal

farther from the point of attachment or trunk of the body

dorsal

describes the back of the body; also posterior

effector

organ that carries out a response to change in a physiological value

frontal plane

vertical plane dividing body into anterior and posterior portions

gross anatomy/macroscopic anatomy

study of large structures visible to the naked eye

growth

process of increasing in size

homeostasis

maintenance of a stable internal environment in the body

inferior

below or toward the feet; also caudal

lateral

toward the side of the body

medial

toward the middle of the body

metabolism

sum of all chemical reactions in the body

microscopic anatomy

study of structures too small to see without magnification

molecule

group of bonded atoms forming a structure

movement

change in position of an organism or body part

negative feedback

mechanism that reverses a change to maintain stability

normal range

range of values that do not trigger a corrective response

oblique plane

angled plane that is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the body

organ

structure composed of two or more tissue types with specific function

organ system

group of organs working together to perform a function

organism

living being capable of carrying out all life functions independently

palmar

relating to the palm of the hand or the corresponding ventral side

peritoneum

serous membrane lining the abdomino-pelvic cavity wall consisting of parietal (outer) and visceral (inner) layers

pleura

serous membrane lining the thoracic cavity consisting of parietal (outer) and visceral (inner) layers

pelvic cavity

space within the pelvis containing reproductive and excretory organs

pericardial cavity

space enclosing the heart

pericardium

sac surrounding the heart consisting of visceral (inner) and parietal (outer)

physiology

study of how body structures function

plantar

relating to the sole of the foot

positive feedback

mechanism that amplifies a response to a stimulus (IMAGE: feedback loop diagram)

posterior

back of the body; also dorsal

posterior cavity

dorsal cavity housing brain and spinal cord

prone

lying face down

proximal

closer to point of attachment or trunk of body

regulation

process of maintaining balance in body systems; homeostasis

responsiveness

ability to respond to environmental changes

sagittal plane

vertical plane dividing body into right and left portions

section

a cut surface of a 3D structure used in anatomy

sensor

structure that detects changes and sends information to control center

serous fluid

lubricating fluid between serous membrane layers

serous membrane

membrane covering organs and reducing friction

set point

ideal stable value for a physiological parameter

superficial

closer to the surface of the body

superior

above or toward the head; cranial

supine

lying face up

thoracic

relating to the chest region

thoracic cavity

cavity containing heart and lungs

tissue

group of similar cells performing a function

transverse plane

horizontal plane dividing body into superior and inferior portions

ventral

front of the body; also anterior

ventral cavity

anterior body cavity containing thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

x-ray

high-energy electromagnetic radiation used for imaging internal structures (IMAGE: X-ray image example)