Tissues, Anatomy, Body Cavities, and Directional Terms Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering anatomical levels of organization, body systems, fluid compartments, tissue classifications, cell types, neuronal structures, body cavities, body planes, and directional terminology.

Anatomy

The structural blueprint of the body, focusing on forms and arrangement.

Physiology

The study of body function in use, detailing how structures work and interact.

Cell

The smallest unit of life.

Tissue

A collection of cells working together to perform a specific function.

Organ

A collection of tissues organized to perform specific functions.

Organ System

A collection of organs working together to perform complex body functions.

Circulatory System

Body system composed of the heart, blood, and vessels that circulates blood and delivers nutrients.

Digestive System

Body system composed of the stomach, intestines, and liver that breaks down food to yield energy ($\text{ATP}$).

Respiratory System

Body system composed of the lungs and trachea that functions in drawing oxygen into the bloodstream.

Nervous System

Body system composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves responsible for the transmission of impulses.

Skeletal System

Body system composed of bones, joints, and ligaments that acts as a support system framework to hold the animal together.

Muscular System

Body system composed of skeletal muscles and tendons that generates movement.

Integumentary System

Body system composed of skin, hair, and nails that provides a protective barrier from outside to inside.

Endocrine System

Body system composed of glands such as the thyroid and pituitary that produce hormones allowing normal body function.

Lymphatic System

Body system composed of lymph nodes and vessels involved in body defenses and replacing lost fluid.

Urinary System

Body system composed of the kidneys and bladder responsible for eliminating toxic waste.

Reproductive System

Body system composed of ovaries and testes responsible for reproduction and passing down genetics.

Special Senses

Structures including the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue that monitor the surroundings.

Intercellular Products

Substances found between cells that provide structural support, adhesion, and signaling.

Intracellular Products (Matrix)

Substances produced and stored within cells.

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid found between cells that bathes and nourishes them, comprising $80\%$ of Extracellular Fluid (ECF).

Total Body Water (TBW)

The total fluid content of the body, making up $60\%$ of total body weight.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid contained inside cells, representing $\frac{2}{3}$ of Total Body Water (TBW).

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid located outside cells, representing $\frac{1}{3}$ of Total Body Water (TBW).

Plasma

The fluid portion of blood within blood vessels, constituting $20\%$ of Extracellular Fluid (ECF).

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue type that covers and protects surfaces and functions in secretion and absorption.

Connective Tissue

Tissue type that supports, binds, and transports substances in the body.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue type that generates movement.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue type that communicates and coordinates body activities.

Simple Epithelium

Single-layer permeable epithelium that is easier to damage, found in locations such as the lungs.

Stratified Epithelium

Layered epithelium designed for tough protection, such as in the skin.

Squamous Epithelium

Epithelial cells that are flattened in shape.

Cuboidal Epithelium

Box-shaped epithelial cells that are equally wide and thick.

Columnar Epithelium

Column-shaped epithelial cells that are taller than they are thick.

Goblet Cell

A unicellular gland that secretes mucus for protection and lubrication.

Exocrine Gland

Gland that utilizes ducts for local delivery, formed of multicellular assemblies with complex folding to increase surface area (e.g., sweat glands).

Endocrine Gland

Ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Connective Tissue Matrix

The foundational matrix formed by Cells + Ground Substance + Fibers.

Fixed Cells

Permanent resident cells of connective tissue, including fibroblasts, macrophages, adipocytes, pigment cells, and persistent mesenchymal cells.

Wandering Cells

Transient connective tissue cells, including mast cells, plasma cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils.

Ground Substance

The GAG/MPS packing material component of the connective tissue matrix.

Areolar Tissue

Loose, flexible connective tissue that serves as packing material and cushioning around organs and vessels.

Adipose Tissue

Fat tissue providing energy reserves and thermal insulation, and the site of lipomas (benign fatty tumors).

Cartilage

Rigid but flexible non-vascularized connective tissue that functions as a shock absorber.

Bone

Skeletal framework tissue containing a calcified matrix with Haversian transport channels.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated, multi-nucleated muscle tissue that moves the skeleton.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated, branched muscle tissue with intercalated discs found exclusively in the heart.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue lining viscera and blood vessels.

Dendrons

Neuronal processes that receive incoming information.

Cell Body

The processing center of a neuron containing the nucleus.

Axon

Neuronal projection that transmits information away from the cell body.

Myelin Sheath

Insulating layer covering the axon that increases signal transmission speed.

Mediastinum

The vertical septum in the thoracic cavity that divides left and right sides and houses the heart and trachea.

Pulmonary Pleura

The membrane covering the lungs.

Costal Pleura

The membrane lining the inner surface of the ribs.

Peritoneal Cavity

Abdominal space housing organs such as the stomach, transverse colon, mesentery, and greater omentum.

Pelvic Inlet

The cranial entrance to the pelvic cavity.

Ischium

Bone forming the floor of the pelvic cavity.

Caudal Aperture

The exit of the pelvic cavity.

Dorsal Plane

Body plane (frontal) that slices the body into top and bottom sections.

Median Plane

Body plane that slices the body into equal left and right halves.

Transverse Plane

Body plane that slices an animal body into front and back sections (or top and bottom in humans).

Cranial

Directional term meaning toward the head (e.g., the heart is cranial to the bladder).

Caudal

Directional term meaning toward the tail.

Dorsal

Directional term meaning toward the back (e.g., the spine is dorsal to the heart).

Ventral

Directional term meaning toward the belly.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body (e.g., the nose is midline to the ears).

Lateral

Directional term meaning toward the side of the body.

Proximal

Directional term used for limbs meaning closer to the attachment point (e.g., wrist is proximal to elbow).

Distal

Directional term used for limbs meaning farther from the attachment point.

Deep

Directional term referring to internal structures away from the surface.

Superficial

Directional term referring to structures near the surface (e.g., skin is superficial to the heart).