Unit 1: Introduction to Anatomy, Tissues, and Glands

Comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing anatomical terminology, directional planes, body movements, tissue types, epithelial cell classifications, connective tissues, and endocrine vs exocrine glands from Unit 1.

Anatomy

The science dealing with the structure of the human body, derived from the Greek word 'anatome' meaning cutting up.

Herophilus

Historical figure from $300\text{ B.C.}$ who is referred to as the father of anatomy.

Cadaveric Anatomy

Subdivision of anatomy involving the study of dead preserved bodies.

Histology

The branch of anatomy focused on microscopic anatomy and the study of tissues.

Anatomical Position

A standardized stance for body observation where the subject stands upright, facing the observer, head level, eyes facing forward, feet flat on the floor, arms at the sides, and palms turned forward (ventral).

Supine Position

Position in which the patient lies on his back with his head and shoulders slightly elevated.

Prone Position

Position in which the patient lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side.

Coronal Plane

Anatomical plane, also called the frontal plane, that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Sagittal Plane

Anatomical plane, also called the longitudinal plane, that divides the body into right and left sections.

Transverse Plane

Anatomical plane, also called the axial plane, that divides the body into superior and inferior sections.

Anterior (Ventral)

Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.

Superior (Cranial)

Describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper.

Inferior (Caudal)

Describes a position below or lower than another part of the body.

Proximal

Position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or trunk of the body.

Distal

Position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or trunk of the body.

Superficial

Describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

Flexion

Bending a joint to reduce the angle between two bones, occurring in the sagittal plane.

Extension

Straightening a joint to increase the angle between bones, occurring in the sagittal plane.

Abduction

Movement away from the medial plane, occurring in the frontal plane.

Adduction

Movement towards the medial plane, occurring in the frontal plane.

Circumduction

A circular motion combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction that occurs in all $3$ planes.

Internal (Medial) Rotation

Movement that moves the anterior part of a limb medially (towards the midline) in the transverse plane.

External (Lateral) Rotation

Movement that moves the anterior part of a limb laterally (away from the midline) in the transverse plane.

Pronation

Rotation of the hand in the transverse plane where the radius rotates over the ulna, turning the thumb towards the midline and palm facing back.

Supination

Rotation of the hand in the transverse plane where the radius and ulna are parallel, turning the thumb away from the midline and palm facing forward.

Squamous Epithelium

Epithelial cells that are flat and sheet-like in appearance.

Cuboidal Epithelium

Epithelial cells that are cube-like in appearance.

Columnar Epithelium

Epithelial cells that are column-like in appearance.

Simple Epithelium

An epithelial tissue arrangement consisting of only a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue arrangement made up of more than one layer of cells.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue made of closely packed cells that appear arranged in layers due to different sizes, but actually consist of only $1$ layer of cells.

Transitional Epithelium

Also known as urothelium, a tissue consisting of multilayers of cells that flatten when stretched to allow organs like the bladder to expand.

Glandular Epithelium

Type of epithelial tissue specialized to produce and secrete substances such as hormones, proteins, and fluids.

Olfactory Epithelium

Epithelium situated in the nasal cavity that contains specialized olfactory receptor cells with cilia extensions.

Dense Regular Tissue

Connective tissue where parallel collagen fibers run between bundles, forming tendons (attaching muscle to bone) and ligaments (attaching bone to bone).

Dense Irregular Tissue

Connective tissue with collagen fibers oriented irregularly or randomly in a mesh-like network, such as in the dermis of the skin.

Fluid Connective Tissue

Connective tissues consisting of blood and lymph that circulate in the body and facilitate organ interaction and communication.

Exocrine Gland

A gland with tubes or ducts that releases its secretions externally or near its source to short-distance targets.

Endocrine Gland

A ductless gland that secretes small quantities of chemical messengers directly into the bloodstream with prolonged effects on distant target tissues.

Heterocrine Gland

A gland possessing both exocrine and endocrine functions, such as the pancreas.

Hormone

A chemical messenger produced in small quantities by endocrine glands and secreted into the bloodstream to control metabolism and biological activity.

Pineal Gland

An endocrine gland that produces melatonin hormone to modulate sleep patterns.