HPHY 241L Lab Guide 1: The Language of Anatomy & Organ Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terminology, directional terms, anatomical planes, regional surface anatomy, body cavities, quadrants, organ systems, and primary organs based on HPHY 241L Lab Guide 1.

Anatomical position

A standard reference posture characterized by erect posture, face and eyes forward, feet forward, upper limbs at sides, and palms anterior.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head or upper part.

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the feet or lower part.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back.

Medial

Toward the midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Intermediate

Between medial and lateral structures.

Proximal

Nearer the trunk or point of origin.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of origin.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface.

Ipsilateral

On the same side.

Contralateral

On opposite sides.

Midsagittal (median) plane

Anatomical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal plane

Anatomical plane that divides the body into unequal right and left portions.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Anatomical plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Oblique plane

Anatomical plane cut at an angle.

Cervical

Neck region.

Acromial

Point or top of the shoulder.

Axillary

Armpit region.

Chondr

Cartilage

Brachial

Arm region between shoulder and elbow.

Cubital

Elbow region.

Antebrachial

Forearm region.

Carpal

Wrist region.

Palmar

Palm of the hand.

Digital

Fingers or toes (digits).

Pectoral

Anterior chest region.

Abdominal

Abdomen region.

Inguinal

Groin region.

Umbilical

Region surrounding the navel.

Perineal

Region between the external genitalia and anus.

Gluteal

Buttock region.

Coxal

Hip region.

Pubic

Anterior pelvis region over the pubic region.

Femoral

Thigh region.

Popliteal

Posterior knee region.

Crural

Anterior lower leg region.

Sural

Posterior lower leg or calf region.

Plantar

Sole of the foot.

Dorsal body cavity

Body cavity containing the cranial cavity and vertebral canal, housing the brain and spinal cord.

Ventral body cavity

Body cavity containing the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities, housing the viscera of the trunk.

Thoracic cavity

Body cavity subdivided into pleural cavities, mediastinum, and pericardial cavity, containing lungs, heart, trachea, esophagus, and thymus.

Abdominal cavity

Superior abdominopelvic cavity containing most digestive organs, spleen, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

Pelvic cavity

Inferior abdominopelvic cavity containing the urinary bladder, rectum, and internal reproductive organs.

RUQ (Right Upper Quadrant)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing liver, gallbladder, right kidney, and portions of small/large intestine.

LUQ (Left Upper Quadrant)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing stomach, spleen, left lobe of liver, pancreas, and left kidney.

RLQ (Right Lower Quadrant)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing cecum, appendix, portions of small intestine, and right ovary/uterine tube.

LLQ (Left Lower Quadrant)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing sigmoid colon, portions of small intestine, and left ovary/uterine tube.

Integumentary system

Organ system that provides protection, temperature regulation, sensation, and vitamin D synthesis; composed of skin, hair, nails, and cutaneous glands.

Skeletal system

Organ system that provides support, protection, mineral storage, blood cell formation, and leverage; composed of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and bone marrow.

Muscular system

Organ system responsible for movement, posture, and heat production; composed of skeletal muscles and tendons.

Nervous system

Organ system responsible for rapid communication, control, sensation, and integration; composed of brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and sensory receptors.

Endocrine system

Organ system responsible for long-term regulation through hormones; composed of pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pancreas, gonads, pineal, and thymus.

Cardiovascular system

Organ system responsible for transport of gases, nutrients, wastes, hormones, and heat; composed of heart, blood, and blood vessels.

Lymphatic/Immune system

Organ system responsible for fluid return, immune defense, and lipid absorption; composed of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and tonsils.

Respiratory system

Organ system responsible for gas exchange and acid-base regulation; composed of nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Digestive system

Organ system responsible for breakdown and absorption of nutrients and elimination of indigestible material; composed of oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Urinary system

Organ system responsible for waste removal, fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base regulation; composed of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Reproductive system

Organ system responsible for production of gametes and sex hormones, and reproduction; composed of male and female reproductive organs.

Thymus

Lymphatic/endocrine organ located in the thoracic cavity/superior mediastinum responsible for T-cell maturation and immune development.

Diaphragm

Muscular/respiratory structure at the boundary of thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities that functions as the primary muscle of inspiration.

Pancreas

Digestive/endocrine organ located retroperitoneally in the epigastric/LUQ regions that secretes digestive enzymes and metabolic hormones.

Spleen

Lymphatic/immune organ located in the abdominal cavity (LUQ/left hypochondriac) that filters blood and supports immune responses.

Adrenal glands

Endocrine glands located retroperitoneally superior to the kidneys that secrete hormones involved in stress, salt balance, and metabolism.

Thyroid gland

Endocrine gland located in the cervical region (anterior neck) that secretes thyroid hormones regulating metabolism.