anatomy basics

superior (cranial)

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

inferior (caudal)

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

ventral (anterior)

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

dorsal (posterior)

Toward or at the back of the body; behind

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

intermediate

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

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

superficial

toward or at the body surface

deep (internal)

away from the body surface; more internal

anatomical position

erect, feet forward, arms at side with palms facing forward, head facing forward, internationally known

directional terms

allow us to explain where one body structure is in relation to another

sagittal

a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts

midsagittal

sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline

frontal planes (coronal plane)

like sagittal plane lie vertically, divide body into anterior and posterior parts

transverse/horizontal Plane

divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

dorsal body cavity

protects the fragile nervous system organs, has 2 subdivisions

cranial cavity

in the skull, encases the brain

vertebral cavity (spinal cavity)

runs within the bony vertebral column, encloses the delicate spinal cord

ventral body cavity

the more anterior and larger of the closed body cavities, has 2 major subdivisions, houses internal organs called Viscera

thoracic cavity

surrounded by the ribs and muscles of the chest

abdominal cavity

Contains stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver, and other organs

pelvic cavity

Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

anatomy

the study of structure

physiology

the study of function at many levels

levels of structural organization

chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system and organismal level

cavity where brain is located

cranial cavity

cavity where spinal cord is located

vertebral cavity

cavity that contains the heart and lungs

thoracic cavity

between the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity

diaphragm

cavity that contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs and rectum

pelvic cavity

dorsal body cavity

cranial and vertebral cavity

ventral body cavity

thoracic and abdominal pelvic cavities

cytology

study of cells

histology

study of tissues

antagonistic movement of flexion

extension

antagonistic movement of abduction

adduction

antagonistic movement of inversion

eversion

Integumentary System

the external covering of the body, or the skin

Functions: waterproofs the body, protects deeper tissue, helps regulate body temperature

Skeletal System

consists of bones, cartilages, ligaments, and joints

Functions: supports the body, provides framework, causes movement

Muscular System

the muscles of the body; skeletal muscles for the muscular system

Functions: to contract or shorten, for movement to occur

Nervous System

the body's fast-acting control system. Consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors

Functions: sensory receptors detect stimuli from outside and inside the body, and send these messages to the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) so that it is informed about what is going on

Endocrine System

control body activities; endocrine glands produce chemical molecules called hormones and release them into the blood to travel to relatively distant target organs.

Cardiovascular System

the primary organs of this system are the heart and blood vessels

Functions: carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other substances to and from the tissue cells where exchanges are made

Lymphatic System

complements that of the cardiovascular system

Functions: picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood, houses white blood cells

Respiratory System

Role is to keep the body supplied with oxygen and to remove carbon dioxide

Digestive System

a tube running through the body from mouth to anus. Organs include oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and rectum.

Functions: break down food and deliver the products to the blood for dispersal to the body cells

Urinary System

removes the nitrogen containing wastes from the blood and flushes them from the body in urine. This system is composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Other Functions: maintains body's water and salt (electrolyte) balance, and regulating the acid-base balance of the blood

Reproductive System

exists primarily to produce offspring.

Males: Testes produce sperm. Scrotum, penis, accessory glands, and the duct system

Females: Ovaries produce eggs. Consists of uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina

abdominal

Anterior body trunk inferior to the ribs

antebrachial

forearm

axillary

armpit

brachial

arm

buccal

cheek area

carpal

wrist

cervical

neck region

coxal

hip

crural

leg

digital

fingers, toes

femoral

thigh

frontal

forehead

inguinal

area where thigh meets body trunk; groin

mental

chin

nasal

nose area

oral

mouth

orbital

eye area

patellar

anterior knee

pelvic

area overlying the pelvis anteriorly

pubic

genital region

sternal

breastbone area

tarsal

ankle region

thoracic

chest

umbilical

navel

cephalic

head

gluteal

buttock

lumbar

area of back between ribs and hips, the loin

occipital

posterior surface of head or base of skull

popliteal

posterior knee area

sacral

area between hips