A/P Lab Module 1 anatomical terms/microscopy

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure; above.

Inferior

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure; below.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Dorsal (Posterior)

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Ventral (Anterior)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Sagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Midsagittal plane

A sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline of the body.

Parasagittal plane

A sagittal plane that is offset from the midline, dividing the body into unequal right and left parts.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Oblique plane

A diagonal cut made at an angle between the horizontal and vertical planes.

Cranial cavity

The space inside the skull that contains and protects the brain.

Vertebral canal

The bony canal through the vertebrae that encloses and protects the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

The chest cavity, bounded by the ribs and diaphragm, containing the heart and lungs.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity between the lungs, containing the heart, esophagus, and trachea.

Pericardial cavity

The fluid-filled space that surrounds the heart.

Pleural cavities

The fluid-filled spaces that surround each lung.

Diaphragm

The dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The large ventral cavity containing both the abdominal and pelvic subdivisions.

Abdominal cavity

The superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, containing the stomach, intestines, liver, and spleen.

Pelvic cavity

The inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, containing the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Peritoneal cavity

The fluid-filled space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum in the abdominopelvic cavity.

Base

The bottom, supportive structural foundation of the microscope.

Arm

The vertical backbone of the microscope used for carrying it and supporting the upper elements.

Coarse-focus knob

The large dial used to move the stage rapidly up and down to bring the specimen into general focus.

Fine-focus knob

The small dial used for precise, sharp adjustment of focus, especially under high power.

Objective lenses

The primary magnifying lenses mounted on the rotating nosepiece, varying in power.

Stage

The flat horizontal platform where the specimen slide is placed for viewing.

Condenser

A lens system beneath the stage that concentrates and focuses light upward through the specimen.

Ocular (eyepiece) lens

The lens at the top of the microscope that you look through, typically magnifying by 10x.

Iris diaphragm adjustment ring or lever

Controls the diameter of the aperture to regulate the amount of light and contrast passing through the condenser.

Light source

The built-in illuminator at the base providing light to see the specimen.

Body tube

The structural cylinder maintaining the correct optical distance between the ocular and objective lenses.

Power switch

The toggle switch that turns the main light source on and off.

Nosepiece

The revolving mechanism that holds and switches between the different objective lenses.

Stage control knob

The mechanical gear knobs used to move the slide precisely forward/backward and left/right on the stage.

Stage clip

The spring-loaded bracket that secures the glass slide firmly in place on the stage.

Light control knob

A rheostat or dial used to adjust the brightness/intensity of the electrical light source.

Calculation of Total Magnification

Determined by multiplying the ocular lens magnification by the objective lens magnification.

Relationship of Field of View and Magnification

An inverse relationship; as magnification increases, the visible diameter of the field of view decreases.

Working Distance

The physical distance between the front tip of the objective lens and the top of the slide cover slip when in focus.

Integumentary System

Forms the external body covering; protects deeper tissues from injury; synthesizes vitamin D; houses cutaneous receptors and sweat/oil glands. (Organs: Skin, hair, nails)

Skeletal System

Protects and supports body organs; provides a framework the muscles use to cause movement; blood cells are formed within bones; stores minerals. (Organs: Bones, joints, cartilages)

Muscular System

Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression; maintains posture; produces heat. (Organs: Skeletal muscles)

Nervous System

As the fast-acting control system of the body, it responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands. (Organs: Brain, spinal cord, nerves)

Endocrine System

Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells. (Organs: Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands)

Cardiovascular System

Blood vessels transport blood, which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, etc.; the heart pumps blood. (Organs: Heart, blood vessels)

Lymphatic System

Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood; disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream; houses white blood cells involved in immunity. (Organs: Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, lymphatic vessels)

Respiratory System

Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide; the gaseous exchanges occur through the walls of the air sacs of the lungs. (Organs: Lungs, trachea, larynx, pharynx, nasal cavity)

Digestive System

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells; indigestible foodstuffs are eliminated as feces. (Organs: Stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, esophagus)

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body; regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood. (Organs: Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra)

Reproductive System

Overall function is production of offspring. (Organs: Testes/prostate in males; Ovaries/uterus/mammary glands in females)

Cephalic

Head region

Frontal

Forehead region

Orbital

Eye region

Buccal

Cheek region

Mental

Chin region

Nasal

Nose region

Oral

Mouth region

Cervical

Neck region

Deltoid

Shoulder region

Axillary

Armpit region

Brachial

Upper arm region

Antecubital

Front of the elbow region

Antebrachial

Forearm region

Coxal

Hip region

Carpal

Wrist region

Palmar

Palm region of the hand

Digital (fingers)

Fingers region

Sternal

Sternum (breastbone) region

Pectoral

Chest region

Mammary

Breast region

Abdominal

Abdomen region

Pelvic

Pelvis region

Inguinal

Groin region

Pubic

Genital region

Femoral

Thigh region

Patellar

Anterior knee (kneecap) region

Crural

Anterior leg (shin) region

Tarsal

Ankle region

Dorsum of foot

Top surface of the foot

Digital (toes)

Toes region

Pes

Foot region

Cranial

Region surrounding the brain

Auricular

Ear region

Occipital

Back of the head region

Thoracic

Back of the chest / upper back region

Vertebral

Spinal column region

Olecranon

Back of the elbow region

Sacral

Region between the hips (base of the spine)

Gluteal

Buttock region

Dorsum of hand

Back surface of the hand

Manus

Hand region

Lumbar

Lower back region

Perineal

Region between the anus and external genitalia