ATI Science

Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body.

Physiology

The study of how the structures of the body work or their functions.

Axial Section

The body section that contains the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Section

The body section that contains the arms and legs.

Ventral Cavity

The large cavity located at the front part of the body.

Dorsal Cavity

The large cavity located at the back part of the body.

Thoracic Cavity

The cavity located in the chest area.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The cavity located in the stomach area.

Diaphragm

The structure that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Cranial Cavity

The cavity located in the head that contains the brain.

Spinal Canal

The cavity that runs down the back and contains the spinal cord.

Patella

The anatomical term for the kneecap.

Pes

Anatomical term for the foot.

Crural

Anatomical term for the shin.

Sural

Anatomical term for the calf.

Popliteal

Anatomical term for the back of the knee.

Gluteal

Anatomical term for the buttocks.

Thoracic

Anatomical term for the chest and middle back.

Cervical

Anatomical term for the neck.

Cephalic

Anatomical term for the head.

Anterior

Positional term meaning towards the front.

Posterior

Positional term meaning towards the back.

Medial

Positional term meaning towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Positional term meaning away from the midline.

Proximal

Positional term meaning towards the trunk of the body.

Distal

Positional term meaning away from the trunk.

Superficial

Positional term meaning towards the surface.

Deep

Positional term meaning under the surface.

Ipsilateral

Positional term meaning on the same side.

Contralateral

Positional term meaning on the opposite side.