Ch1 structural units

abdominal cavity

area of the body that contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, appendix, and part of the large intestine

abdominopelvic cavity

area below the diaphragm, with no separation between the abdomen and pelvis

anabolism

building up of complex materials in metabolism

anatomical position

a human being is standing erect, with face forward, arms at the side, and palms forward

anatomy

studies the shape and structure of an organism's body and the relationship of one body part to another

anterior

"front" or "in front of" (ant.)

biology

the study of all forms of life

buccal cavity

mouth cavity bounded by the inner surface of the cheek

catabolism

the breaking down and changing of complex materials with the release of energy; a process in metabolism

caudal

"tail end."

cell

basic unit of structure and function of all living things

cephalic

"skull" or "head end" of the body

comparative anatomy

The different body parts and organs of humans can be studied with regard to similarities with and differences from others in the animal kingdom

coronal (frontal) plane

frontal plane at a right angle to the sagittal plane; divides the body into anterior and posterior segments

coronary

referring to the blood vessels of the heart

cranial cavity

area of the body containing the brain

cytology

the study of the structure, function, and development of cells that comprise the different body parts

deep

directional term used to describe an internal organ within the body such as the stomach

dermatology

study of the integumentary system

developmental anatomy

studies the growth and development of an organism during its lifetime

disease

Any abnormal change in a structure or function that produces symptoms

distal

farthest from the point of origin of a structure; opposite of proximal

dorsal

"back" or "in back of" (dor.)

dorsal cavity

posterior cavity of the body that houses the brain and spinal column

embryology

studies the formation of an organism from fertilized egg to birth

endocrinology

study of the endocrine or hormonal system

epigastric

upper region of the abdominal cavity, located just below the sternum

external

superficial; at or near the surface of the skin

gross anatomy

the study of large and easily observable structures on an organism

histology

studies the tissues and organs that make up the entire body of an organism

homeostasis

state of balance; the ability of the healthy body to regulate the internal environment within narrow limits

hypogastric

lower region of the abdominal area

inferior

"lower" or "below another."

internal

term used to refer to body cavities and hollow organs; same as deep

lateral

toward the side

life functions

a series of highly organized and related activities that allow living organisms to live, grow, and maintain themselves

medial

directional term, toward midline of the body

metabolism

the functional activities of cells that result in growth, repair, and the release of energy by the cells

metric system

a decimal system based on the power of 10.

microscopic anatomy

uses ultrawave and electron microscopes to enable one to see the minute details of organ parts

midsagittal plane

an imaginary line dividing the body into equal right and left halves

nasal cavity

one of the pair of cavities between the anterior nares and the nasopharynx

neurology

study of the nervous system

oral cavity

encloses the teeth and tongue

orbital cavity

contains the eye and its external structures

organ system

organs that are grouped together because more than one is needed to perform a function

organs

groups of tissues organized according to structure and function

pelvic cavity

area of the body containing the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum, remainder of the large intestine, and appendix

physiology

studies the function of each body part and how the functions of the various body parts coordinate to form a complete living organism

planes

imaginary, anatomical dividing lines useful in separating body structures

posterior

"back" or "in back of" (pos.)

proximal

located nearest the center of the body; point of attachment of a structure

quadrants

a term used in reference to the abdominal area by dividing it into four areas

sagittal plane

directional term that divides the body into left and right parts

section

a cut made through the body in the direction of a certain plane

spinal cavity

area of the body containing the spinal cord

superficial

on or near the surface of the body

superior

"upper" or "above another"

systematic anatomy

the study of the structure of various organs or parts that comprise a particular organ system

thoracic cavity

area of the body divided into two cavities: the left pleural cavity contains the left lung and the right pleural cavity contains the right lung

tissues

cells grouped according to size, shape, and function; epithelial, connective, muscle, and nerve types are examples

transverse

crosswise; at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body

umbilical

area located around the navel; the right and left lumbar region

umbilicus

navel

ventral

"front" or "in front of" (ven.)