Anatomical Terminology Bio 211

Anatomy

the study of structure, examine relationships among parts of the body as well as the structure of individual organs

Physiology

the scientific discipline that studies the function of body structures

Microscopic Anatomy

examines structures that cannot be viewed by unaided eye

Cytology

study of single body cells and their internal structures

Histology

the study of tissues

Gross Anatomy/Macroscopic Anatomy

investigates the structure and relationships of large body parts that are visible to the unaided eye

Comparative Anatomy

examines the similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species

Developmental Anatomy

investigates the changes in structure within an individual from conception through maturity

Embryology

is concerned specifically with developmental changes occurring prior to birth

Regional Anatomy

examines all the structures in a particular region of the body as one complete unit (ex: bones, muscles, connective tissues, etc.)

Surface Anatomy

examines both superficial anatomic markings and internal body structures as they relate to the skin covering them

Systemic Anatomy

studies the gross anatomy of each system in the body

Pathologic Anatomy

examines all anatomic changes resulting from disease

Radiographic Anatomy

studies the relationships among internal structures that may be visualized by specific medical imaging procedures (ex: ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or x-ray)

Surgical Anatomy

investigates the anatomic landmarks used before and after surgery

1. Chemical Level, 2. Cellular Level, 3. Tissue Level, 4. Organ Level, 5. Organ System Level, 6. Organism Level

Rank the levels of organization in the human body from smallest to largest.

Chemical Level

simplest level of the hierarchy, and it involves atoms and molecules

Atom

smallest units of matter

Molecule

two or more atoms combine they form a….

Macromolecules

more complex molecules which include some proteins and DNA and form organelles

Cellular Level

consists of cells, 2nd level of the hierarchy, formed from the atoms and molecules from the chemical level

Cells

smallest living structures and serve as the basic units of structure and function in organisms,

Tissue Level

groups of similar cells with a common function form the 3rd stage of the hierarchy

Tissues

precise organizations of similar cells that perform specialized functions

epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue, nervous tissue

Four types of tissues

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers exposed surfaces and lines body cavities

Connective Tissue

Tissue that protects, supports, and interconnects body parts and organs

Muscle Tissue

Tissue that produces movement

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that conducts impulses for internal communication

Organ Level

different tissue types combine to form this level, 4th level

Organs

contain two or more tissue types that work together to perform specific, complex functions

Organ System Level

consists of related organs that work together to coordinate activities and achieve a common function (5th level)

Organismal Level

highest level of structural organization in the body, all body systems function inter dependently in this

11 Organ Systems

How many organ systems are in the human body

Integumentary System

Organ system that provides protection, regulates body temperature, site of cutaneous receptors, synthesizes vitamin D, prevents water loss

Hair, skin, and associated glands

Organs in the Integumentary System

Skeletal System

Organ system that provides support and protection, site of hemopoiesis (blood cell production), stores calcium and phosphorus, provides sites for muscle attachments

Skull, sternum, rib, cartilage, upper limb bones, vertebrae, sacrum, lower limb bones, knee joint

Organs in the Skeletal System

Muscular System

Organ system that produces body movement, generates heat when muscles contract

Sartorius muscle, orbicularis oculi muscle, pectoralis major muscle, aponeurosis, tendons

Organs in the Muscular System

Nervous System

Organ system which is a regulatory system that controls body movement, responds to sensory stimuli and helps control all other systems of the body. Also responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory

Sense organ (eye), brain, spinal cord, nerves

Organs in the Nervous System

Endocrine System

Organ system that consists of glands and cell clusters that secrete hormones, some of which regulate body and cellular growth, chemical levels in the body, and reproductive functions

Testes (male), kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, thymus, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, pineal gland, hypothalamus

Organs in the Endocrine System

Cardiovascular System

Organ system that consists of the heart (a pump), blood, and blood vessels; the heart moves blood through blood vessels to distribute hormones, nutrients, and gases, and pick up waste products

Blood vessels, heart

Organs in the cardiovascular system

Lymphatic System

Organ system that transports and filters lymph (interstitial fluid transported through lymph vessels) and initiates an immune response when necessary

Tonsils, cervical lymph nodes, thymus, axillary lymph nodes. thoracic duct, spleen, inguinal lymph nodes, popliteal lymph node, lymph vessel

Organs in the lymphatic system

Respiratory System

Organ system that is responsible for exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between blood and the air in the lungs

Nasal cavity, nose, pharynx (throat), larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, thoracic diaphragm

Organs in the respiratory system

Digestive System

Organ system that mechanically and chemically digests food materials, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste products

Oral cavity (mouth), salivary glands, pharynx (throat), esophagus, liver, stomach, large intestine, small intestine

Organs in the digestive system

Urinary System

Organ system which filters the blood and removes waste products from the blood, concentrates waste products in the form of urine, and expels urine from the body

Kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, urethra

Organs in the urinary system

Male Reproductive System

Organ system that produces male sex cells (sperm) and male hormones (ex: testosterone); transfers sperm to the female

Ductus deferens, prostate gland, urethra, testis, seminal vesicle, epididymis, penis, scrotum

Organs in the male reproductive system

Female Reproductive System

Organ system that produces female sex cells (oocytes) and female hormones (ex: estrogen and progesterone), receives sperm from male, site of fertilization of oocyte, site of growth and development of embryo and fetus, and produces and secretes breast milk for nourishment of newborn

Mammary glands, ovary, uterus, vagina, external genitalia (clitoris, labia), uterine tube

Organs in the female reproductive system

Anatomic Position

position where an individual stands upright with the feet parallel and flat on the floor. The head is level, and the eyes look forward toward the observer, The arms are at either side of the body with the palms facing forward and the thumbs pointing away from the body

Supine Position

position where an individual is lying horizontally with the face and torso facing up (basically laying on their back)

Prone Position

position where an individual is lying horizontally with their face down (lying on their face and stomach)

Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane)

a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts. Anterior portion contains the chest and the posterior portion contains the back

Transverse Plane (Cross-Sectional Plane or Horizontal Plane)

plane that cuts perpendicularly along the long axis of the body or organ. The body or organ is separated into both superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts, and the relationship of neighboring organs at a particular level is revealed

Midsagittal Plane (Median Plane)

a plane that extends through the body or organ vertically and divides the structure into right and left halves

Sagittal Plane (Parasagittal Plane)

a plane that is parallel to the midsagittal plane, but either to the left or right of it. Divides the structure into right and left portions that may or may not be equal

Longitudinal Section

(a section) tissue cut along the longest direction of an organ

Oblique Section

plane that passes through a specimen at an angle

Anterior (ex: the stomach is anterior to the spinal cord)

In front of; toward the front surface

Posterior (ex: The heart is posterior to the sternum)

In back of; toward the back surface

Dorsal (ex: the spinal cord is on the dorsal side of the body)

Toward the back side of the human body

Ventral (ex: The umbilicus (navel, belly button) is on the ventral side of the body)

Toward the belly side of the human body

Superior (cranial) (ex: The chest is superior to the pelvis)

Closer to the head

Inferior (Caudal) (The stomach is inferior to the heart)

Closer to the feet

Medial (ex: The lungs are medial to the shoulders)

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral (ex: The arms are lateral to the heart)

Away from the midline of the body

Deep (ex: The heart is deep to the rib cage)

On the inside, internal to another surface

Superficial (ex: The skin is superficial to the biceps brachii muscle)

On the outside, external to another structure

Proximal (ex: The elbow is proximal on the hand.)

Closest to point of attachment to trunk

Distal (ex: The wrist is distal to the elbow.)

Furthest from point of attachment to trunk

2 regions (Axial and Appendicular region)

How many main regions is the human body partitioned into and what are their names

Axial Region

region of the body that includes the head, neck, and trunk; forms the main vertical axis of the body

Appendicular Region

region of the body that includes the limbs/appendages which attach to the body’s axis

Abdominal Region

Abdomen

Antebrachial Region

Forearm (the portion of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist)

Cephalic Region

Head

Orbital Region

Eye

Nasal Region

Nose

Oral Region

Mouth

Auricular Region

Ear (visible surface structure)

Buccal Region

Cheek

Cervical Region

Neck

Trunk Region

The main part of the body that contains the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and back.

Thoracic Region

Thorax

Pelvic Region

Pelvis

Dorsal Region

Back

Deltoid Region

Shoulder

Vertebral Region

Spinal Column

Gluteal Region

Buttock

Upper Limb Region

Arm

Axillary Region

Armpit