Lecture Video: Anatomy, Organ Systems, and Microscope Basics - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering anatomical terminology, directional references, body regions, organ systems, abdominal regions, cavities, microscopy basics, and

Anatomical position

A standard reference posture: standing upright, feet slightly apart, arms at sides with palms facing forward.

Proximal

Toward the point of attachment or toward the trunk; nearer to the origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or from the trunk.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head or above a structure.

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the feet or below a structure.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the sides.

Anterior (ventral)

Front of the body or structure.

Posterior (dorsal)

Back of the body or structure.

Deep

Away from the surface; internal.

Superficial

Near or at the surface.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Sagittal plane

A plane that divides the body into left and right portions (mid-sagittal if equal).

Transverse (horizontal) plane

A plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Axial region

The central body axis, including head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular region

The limbs and their girdles.

Cephalic

Relating to the head.

Orbital

Relating to the eye socket (orbit).

Nasal

Relating to the nose.

Oral

Relating to the mouth.

Mental

Relating to the chin.

Cervical

Relating to the neck.

Thoracic

Relating to the chest.

Sternal

Relating to the sternum region of the chest.

Axillary

Relating to the armpit.

Mammary

Relating to the breast.

Abdominal

Relating to the abdomen.

Umbilical

Relating to the navel.

Pelvic

Relating to the pelvis region.

Inguinal

Relating to the groin.

Pubic

Relating to the genital region.

Acromial

Point of the shoulder (acromion region).

Brachial

Relating to the arm.

Antecubital

Front of the elbow.

Olecranal

Back of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Forearm region.

Carpal

Wrist region.

Manus

Hand.

Pollex

Thumb.

Metacarpal

Bones of the hand between wrist and fingers.

Palmar

Palm of the hand.

Digital

Fingers or toes.

Coxal

Hip region.

Femoral

Thigh region.

Patellar

Kneecap region.

Popliteal

Back of the knee.

Crural

Leg region (shin area).

Sural

Calf region.

Fibular (peroneal)

Outer side of the leg (fibula region).

Pedal

Foot region.

Tarsal

Ankle bones.

Calcaneal

Heel region.

Otic

Relating to the ear.

Occipital

Back of the head.

Back (Dorsal)

Posterior aspect of the trunk.

Scapular

Shoulder blade area.

Vertebral

Relating to the spine.

Lumbar

Lower back region.

Sacral

Sacrum region near the pelvis.

Gluteal

Buttock region.

Perineal

Region between the anus and external genitalia.

Field of View

The observable area through the microscope; decreases as magnification increases.

Compound light microscope

A light microscope using lenses to magnify small specimens.

Magnification

The process of enlarging the appearance of an object.

Resolution

Ability to distinguish two close points as separate; higher resolution gives finer detail.

Ocular lens

The eyepiece, typically 10x magnification.

Objective lenses

Lenses closest to the specimen; common powers are 4x, 10x, and 40x.

Total magnification

Product of ocular and objective magnifications (e.g., 10x × 40x = 400x).

4x (scanning objective)

Low-power objective used to locate specimens.

10x (low power)

Moderate-power objective for initial viewing.

40x (high power)

High-power objective for detailed observation.

Start with scanning objective

Begin observation at the lowest magnification to locate the specimen.

Right hypochondriac region

Upper right abdominal region containing liver, large intestine, and gallbladder.

Epigastric region

Upper central region containing liver, stomach, and large intestine.

Umbilical region

Central region containing portions of the small intestine.

Hypogastric region

Lower central region containing small intestine and bladder.

Left hypochondriac region

Upper left region containing stomach, spleen, and large intestine.

Right lumbar region

Right middle region containing ascending colon.

Left lumbar region

Left middle region containing descending colon.

Right iliac region

Right lower region containing cecum and appendix.

Left iliac region

Left lower region containing sigmoid colon.

Pleural cavities

Two cavities around the lungs within the thoracic cavity.

Mediastinum

Central thoracic compartment containing esophagus, trachea, and thymus.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart.

Abdominal cavity

Contains digestive, urinary, and lymphatic organs.

Pelvic cavity

Contains reproductive organs.

Serous membrane

Membrane that secretes serous fluid to reduce friction.

Visceral layer

Membrane layer that covers an organ.

Parietal layer

Membrane layer that lines the cavity walls.

Atomic level

The simplest level of organization; example: carbon atom.

Molecular level

Two or more atoms bonded together (e.g., proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids).

Cellular level

Basic unit of life; example: red blood cell (RBC).

Tissue level

Group of similar cells performing a common function (e.g., adipose, cartilage, muscle).

Organ level

Structure composed of two or more tissue types performing a specific function (e.g., heart, kidney, liver).

Systemic level

Relating to an entire body system (e.g., cardiovascular, urinary).

Organism level

A living individual; e.g., human.

Muscular system

Moves bones via muscle contractions, generates heat, protects organs; major components include skeletal muscles, tendons, and aponeuroses.

Skeletal system

Supports the body, protects organs, and stores minerals; major components include bones, cartilage, and ligaments.

Nervous system

Processes and transmits information; detects stimuli and coordinates responses; major components include brain, spinal cord, nerves, and receptors.

Endocrine system

Regulates slow processes and metabolism via glands such as pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, and pancreas.