Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology - Key Terms

A vocabulary set covering major terms related to body organization, cavities, membranes, planes, regions, and organ systems from the notes.

Superior

Above another part or structure.

Inferior

Below another part or structure.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the side.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk or reference point.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk or reference point.

Superficial

Near the surface of the body.

Deep

More internal; farther from the surface.

Sagittal plane

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

Midsagittal (median) plane

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

Parasagittal

A sagittal plane that divides the body into left and right portions that are not equal.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

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

Frontal (coronal) plane

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

Cross section

A cut across the structure.

Oblique section

An angular cut through the structure.

Longitudinal section

A lengthwise cut through the structure.

Cranial cavity

Space inside the skull that houses the brain.

Vertebral canal

Space within the vertebral column that houses the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity that houses the heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Cavity that includes the abdominal and pelvic regions.

Abdominal cavity

Cavity that contains stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, and most of the intestines.

Pelvic cavity

Cavity that contains the end of the large intestine, urinary bladder, and internal reproductive organs.

Diaphragm

Broad, thin muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Pleural membranes

Double-layered membranes around the lungs.

Parietal pleura

Lines the inner wall of the thoracic cavity.

Visceral pleura

Covers the lungs.

Pleural cavity

Potential space between pleural layers containing serous fluid.

Pericardial membranes

Membranes surrounding the heart (parietal and visceral layers).

Parietal pericardium

Outer layer around the heart.

Visceral pericardium

Layer that covers the heart.

Pericardial cavity

Space between parietal and visceral pericardium.

Fibrous pericardium

Outer fibrous layer of the pericardium.

Peritoneal membranes

Membranes lining the abdominopelvic cavity (parietal lines wall; visceral covers organs).

Parietal peritoneum

Lines the abdominal wall.

Visceral peritoneum

Covers abdominal organs.

Peritoneal cavity

Potential space between parietal and visceral peritoneum.

Mediastinum

Central part of the thoracic cavity between the lungs.

Orbital cavity

Eye socket; contains eyes and associated nerves and muscles.

Oral cavity

Mouth; contains tongue and teeth.

Nasal cavity

Inside the nose; divided by a nasal septum; contains sinuses.

Middle ear cavity

Contains the middle ear bones.

Frontal sinuses

Paranasal sinuses located in the frontal bone.

Sphenoidal sinus

Paranasal sinus located in the sphenoid bone.

Nasal septum

Wall dividing the nasal cavity into left and right halves.

Epigastric region

Upper middle region of the abdomen.

Right hypochondriac region

Upper right abdominal region.

Left hypochondriac region

Upper left abdominal region.

Umbilical region

Middle region around the navel.

Right lumbar region

Right middle region of the abdomen.

Left lumbar region

Left middle region of the abdomen.

Pubic (hypogastric) region

Lower middle region of the abdomen.

Right inguinal (iliac) region

Right lower side of the abdomen.

Left inguinal (iliac) region

Left lower side of the abdomen.

Right upper quadrant

One of four abdominal quadrants (upper right).

Right lower quadrant

One of four abdominal quadrants (lower right).

Left upper quadrant

One of four abdominal quadrants (upper left).

Left lower quadrant

One of four abdominal quadrants (lower left).

Integumentary system

System providing body covering; includes skin, hair, nails, sweat and sebaceous glands.

Skeletal system

System of bones, ligaments and cartilages; supports and protects tissues and stores minerals.

Muscular system

System of muscles; enables movement and produces heat.

Nervous system

Brain, spinal cord, nerves; cells communicate via neurotransmitters; functions include sensing, integrating, and responding.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones; includes hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pineal, thymus, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.

Cardiovascular system

Heart, blood vessels, and blood; distributes substances and removes wastes.

Lymphatic system

Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, thymus, spleen; drains tissue fluid and returns it to the bloodstream; has lymphocytes.

Digestive system

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines; breaks down and absorbs nutrients and excretes wastes.

Respiratory system

Lungs and air passages; exchanges O2 and CO2 between blood and air.

Urinary system

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra; removes wastes and helps balance water/electrolyte levels; produces urine.

Reproductive system

Male and female systems for producing offspring; includes respective organs and functions.