The Human Body: chapter 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the anatomy & physiology lecture notes.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships; how things look.

Physiology

The study of the function of the body's structures; how things work.

Gross (Macroscopic) Anatomy

Anatomy visible to the naked eye:

external body parts(head, hand, eye…)

Internal organs (heart, lungs,liver…)

Microscopic Anatomy

Anatomy seen with a microscope (cells and tissues).

Developmental Anatomy

How the structure of the body changes as it grows.

Embryology

Developmental changes of the body before birth.

Cytology

Study of the cell.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Pathology

Study of diseases and the structural changes they cause.

Radiographic Anatomy

Internal structures visualized by X-rays or other imaging methods.

Molecular Biology

Study of anatomical structures at a subcellular level.

Subcellular

Relating to components smaller than a cell (molecules, organelles).

Regional Anatomy

Study of all structures in one part of the body.

Systemic Anatomy

Study of anatomy by body system.

Surface Anatomy

Study of internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin.

Integumentary System

External body covering (skin, hair, nails, glands) that protects and helps synthesize vitamin D; Dermis is a key skin layer.

Dermis

The deeper skin layer beneath the epidermis.

Skeletal System

Bones, cartilage, and ligaments; protects and supports the body; site of blood formation; stores minerals; osteo- means bone.

Osteo- (osteo-)

Prefix meaning bone.

Muscular System

Muscles and tendons; enables movement and generates heat; term roots include myo- and sarco-.

Myo-

Prefix meaning muscle.

Sarco-

Prefix meaning flesh (used in muscle-related terms).

Nervous System

Brain, spinal cord, and nerves; fast-acting control system; neuro- is a root for nerve.

Neuro-

Prefix meaning nerve.

Endocrine System

Glands and hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and homeostasis.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels; pumps and transports blood.

Cardio-

Prefix meaning heart.

Cardiac

Relating to the heart.

Coronary

Relating to the heart's vessels.

Pulmonary/ Pleural

Pulmonary relates to the lungs; Pleural relates to the membranes around the lungs.

Immune/Lymphatic System

Red bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes; returns leaked fluid to blood and supports immunity.

Leuko-

Prefix meaning white (as in leukocytes).

Digestive System

Mouth to anus; breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Renal (Urinary) System

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; eliminates wastes and balances fluids and pH.

Renal-

Prefix meaning kidney.

Male Reproductive System

Glands and ducts that produce offspring; testes, prostate, penis, etc.

Female Reproductive System

Ovaries, uterus, mammary glands; produces eggs and supports offspring.

Anatomical Position

Standard body stance: upright, feet together, palms forward, thumbs outward.

Prone Position

Body lying face down.

Supine Position

Body lying face up.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Plane dividing the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane parallel to the midsagittal plane; divides left and right in unequal portions.

Oblique Plane

Plane that passes through the body at an angle.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Back (posterior) cavity; includes cranial and vertebral cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Within the skull; encases the brain.

Vertebral Cavity

Runs within the vertebral column; encases the spinal cord.

Ventral Body Cavity

Front (anterior) cavity; subdivided into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Subdivided into pleural cavities, mediastinum, and pericardial cavity.

Mediastinum

Central part of the thoracic cavity; contains the heart, thymus, trachea, esophagus; surrounds pericardial cavity.

Pericardial Cavity

Encloses the heart.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains digestive viscera such as stomach, liver, intestines.

Pelvic Cavity

Contains bladder and reproductive organs; within the pelvis.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Combination of the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Diaphragm

Dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Serous Membranes

A thin tissue that lines body cavities and organs in the chest and abdomen, including the stomach

Parietal Pericardium

Parietal serosa lining the pericardial cavity surrounding the heart.

Visceral Pericardium

Serosa covering the heart muscle.

Parietal Pleura

Parietal serosa lining the thoracic wall around the lungs.

Visceral Pleura

Serosa covering the lungs.

Pleural Cavity

Space between the pleural membranes around each lung, containing serous fluid.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Four regions: right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower.

Anatomical Variability

Humans vary slightly in anatomy; most structures match textbook descriptions, with some deviations.

Cephalic Region

Head region; includes facial features such as frontal, orbital, nasal, oral, mental.

Thoracic Region

Chest region; includes axillary and pectoral areas.

Upper Limb Regions

Regions of the arm and hand: deltoid, brachial, antecubital, antebrachial, carpal, palmar, digital.

Lower Limb Regions

Regions of the leg and foot: femoral, patellar, popliteal, crural, sural, calcaneal, tarsal, pes, plantar, digital.