Anatomy and Skeletal System Flashcards (Unit 2)

Flashcards on Anatomy and the Skeletal System to help you review lecture notes and prepare for your exam.

Anatomical Position

A standardized reference point used to describe the location of body parts and movements, ensuring clear communication among healthcare providers and researchers.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of the body; for example, the lungs are superior to the liver.

Inferior

Toward the lower part of the body, away from the head; for example, the bladder is inferior to the small intestine.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body; for example, the ribs are anterior to the spine.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body; for example, the occipital bone is posterior to the frontal bone.

Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body; for example, the lungs are lateral with respect to the heart.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body; for example, the trachea is medial with respect to the clavicle.

Proximal

Near the trunk of the human body; for example, the scapula is proximal with respect to the humerus.

Distal

Away from the trunk of the human body; for example, the carpus is distal with respect to the elbow.

Anatomical Planes

Imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body into sections, used to describe the direction of movement.

Axes of Rotation

Imaginary lines around which a joint rotates, perpendicular to the plane of motion.

Abduction

Lifting a limb away from the body.

Adduction

Lowering a limb toward the body.

Cancellous Bone

Spongy or trabecular bone found inside bones, which resists compression.

Cortical Bone

Compact bone, the dense outer layer of bones, which resists bending.

Long Bones

Bones that are longer than they are wide, such as the femur, humerus, and phalanges.

Short Bones

Cube-shaped bones, such as the carpals and tarsals, that provide support and stability with little movement.

Flat Bones

Thin, flat bones that provide protection to vital organs and serve as a base for muscular attachment, such as the sternum and skull bones.

Irregular Bones

Bones with complex shapes, such as the vertebrae and pelvic bones.

Sesamoid Bones

Bones embedded in tendons, such as the patella, that increase muscle leverage.

Axial Skeleton

The 80 bones along the central axis of the human body, including the skull, ribcage, and vertebrae.

Appendicular Skeleton

The 126 bones that make movement possible, distributed in the shoulder, arms and hands, pelvis, and legs and feet.