General Anatomy I

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental anatomical terms, directional references, planes, axes, joint movements, and the levels of structural organization in the human body.

Anterior

A directional term meaning toward the front or located in front.

Posterior (Dorsalis)

A directional term referring to structures located at the back or on the dorsal side of the body; synonymous with dorsalis.

Superior (Cranialis)

A directional term meaning above or upper; synonymous with cranialis.

Inferior (Caudalis)

A directional term meaning below or lower; caudalis is used with the same meaning.

Medialis

Refers to structures located toward the inner side, close to the median plane.

Lateralis

Refers to structures located toward the outer side, away from the median plane of the body.

Intermedius

A positional term meaning located between two structures.

Medianus

A positional term meaning located on the midline.

Apicalis

A term designating a relationship to the apex.

Basilaris

A term designating a relationship to the base.

Centralis

A positional term meaning located near the center.

Peripheralis

A positional term meaning located away from the center, at the periphery.

Internus

A positional term meaning internal or located inside.

Externus

A positional term meaning external or located outside; the opposite of internus.

Proximalis

Refers to a structure located close to the point of origin or closer to the trunk.

Distalis

Refers to a structure located farther from the trunk or point of origin.

Verticalis

A directional term meaning vertical.

Horizontalis

A directional term meaning horizontal or transverse.

Superficialis

Derived from the Latin term for superficial; refers to structures located near the surface of the skin.

Profundus

Refers to structures located deep in the body, away from the skin surface.

Palmaris

A anatomical term related to the palm of the hand.

Plantaris

An anatomical term related to the sole of the foot.

Flexion

A movement that decreases the angle between parts of the body or between the segments of a joint in the sagittal plane; derived from the Latin flexio meaning bending.

Extension

A movement that increases the angle between parts of the body or between the segments of a joint in the sagittal plane; the opposite of flexion.

Abduction

Movement of a limb or joint segment away from the midline in the frontal plane.

Adduction

Movement of an extremity or one of its parts toward the midline in the frontal plane.

Rotation

The movement of a body part or bone around its longitudinal axis.

Circumduction

A circular movement of an extremity or one of its parts produced by a combination of abduction, adduction, flexion, and extension.

Pronation

The inward rotational movement of the forearm around the axis of the radius in the upper extremity.

Supination

The outward rotational movement of the forearm around the axis of the radius in the upper extremity.

Inversion

Movement in which the sole of the foot turns toward the median plane.

Eversion

Movement in which the sole of the foot turns away from the median plane to face laterally.

Anatomical Position

The reference posture of a person standing upright, facing forward with eyes looking straight ahead, arms hanging at the sides with palms facing forward, and feet together.

Sagittal Plane (Planum sagittale)

A general term for planes passing vertically from front to back, or back to front, along the longitudinal axis of the body.

Median Plane (Planum medianum)

A special sagittal plane passing through the anterior and posterior median lines that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Paramedian Plane (Planum paramedianum)

A plane parallel to the median plane that divides the body into unequal right and left parts.

Frontal Plane (Planum frontale/coronale)

A vertical plane extending from right to left or left to right, forming a right angle with the sagittal planes, and dividing the body into unequal anterior and posterior parts.

Horizontal Plane (Planum horizontale/transversum)

A plane passing through the body at any level parallel to the ground, dividing the body into unequal upper and lower parts.

Axis

An imaginary line connecting points that do not change position during a movement.

Vertical Axis (Axis verticalis)

An anatomical axis extending from the top of the head to the midpoint between the soles of the feet, oriented perpendicular to the transverse plane.

Right-Left Transverse Axis (Axis transversalis)

An anatomical axis passing horizontally from the right side of the body to the left, or vice versa.

Anteroposterior Axis (Axis sagittalis)

An anatomical axis passing horizontally from the front of the body to the back, or vice versa, oriented perpendicular to the frontal plane.

Prenatal Period

The first developmental period of the human body spent within the uterus, ending at birth.

Postnatal Period

The developmental period beginning at birth, during which humans pass through newborn, infancy, childhood, adolescence, youth, and adulthood stages.

Organism

A biological entity capable of carrying out all essential biological processes, maintaining independent life, showing characteristic growth and development, and reproducing its own kind.

Compound

A chemical substance formed from atoms of different elements.

Organic Compounds

Compounds associated with living organisms, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Cell

The smallest independent structural unit of an organism, whose basic functions include growth, metabolism, excitability, and reproduction.

Nucleus

A fundamental intracellular structure that controls cellular activities; if lost, metabolic functions eventually cease and the cell dies.

Tissue

A group of similar cells organized together with extracellular material (interstitial substance) to perform specific functions.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type performing protective, secretory, and absorptive functions, covering the body surface and lining hollow organs, vessels, and body cavities.

Connective and Supporting Tissue

A primary tissue type embryologically derived from mesoderm that connects and supports body structures; includes loose connective, dense connective, cartilage and bone, and blood tissues.

Muscle Tissue

A primary tissue type highly specialized for contraction and mechanical movement production; classified into skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle.

Nervous Tissue

A primary tissue type specialized for generating, receiving, and transmitting nerve impulses; composed of nerve cells (neurons) and neuroglia.

Organ

A body structure composed of two or more tissue types that work together to perform a specific function.

Organ System

A coordinated group of organs working together to perform broader bodily functions such as respiration, digestion, and reproduction.