Anatomy of Human Movement and Performance Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards for studying Anatomy of Human Movement and Performance, covering basic definitions, anatomical subdivisions, levels of organization, life processes, directional terminology, body planes, cavities, and joint movements.

Anatomy

The study of structures and form of the body and its parts, derived from the Greek words "ana" (meaning "up") and "temos" or "tomos" (meaning "cutting").

Physiology

The branch of biology that deals with the study of the functioning and internal workings of living things, derived from the Greek words "physis" (meaning "nature") and "logos" (meaning "words" or "study").

Surface Anatomy

A subdivision of anatomy dealing with the form and markings of the body surface, studied by sight, visualization, or palpation without dissection.

Gross Anatomy

The study of body structures visible to the unaided eye (naked eye), such as muscles, bones, digestive organs, or skin, examined via cadaveric dissections.

Microscopic Anatomy

A branch of anatomy that relies on the use of microscopes to examine the smallest structures of the body, including tissues, cells, and molecules.

Histology

A subdivision of microscopic anatomy defined as the study of tissues.

Cytology

A subdivision of microscopic anatomy that restricts its study to individual cellular structures using a microscope.

Pathology

The study of anatomical changes due to disease.

Embryology

The study of developmental changes of the body from fertilization to birth.

Pathological Anatomy

A specialized branch of anatomy focused on the study of structural changes caused by disease.

Radiographic Anatomy

A specialized branch of anatomy focused on the study of internal body structures visualized by X ray.

Molecular Biology

In anatomy, the study of anatomical structures at a sub-cellular level.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of an organism, and the smallest unit of life.

Tissue

A group of cells with similar functions that work together to perform a specific task.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more different types of tissues arranged to perform a special function.

Organ System

An organizational level consisting of varying numbers and kinds of organs arranged to perform complex body functions.

Responsiveness

Also called irritability, the characteristic of life that permits an organism to sense, monitor, and respond to changes in the external environment.

Conductivity

The capacity of living cells and tissues to selectively transmit or propagate a wave of excitation from one point to another within the body.

Growth

A process occurring as a result of a normal increase in the size or number of cells, producing an increase in size of the individual or organ.

Digestion

The process by which complex food products are broken down into simpler substances that can be absorbed and used by individual body cells.

Respiration

The movement of gases during chest breathing, taking in oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide.

Absorption

The movement of digested nutrients through the wall of the digestive tube into body fluids for transport to cells.

Secretion

The production and delivery of specialized substances, such as digestive juices and hormones, for diverse body functions.

Excretion

The removal of waste products produced during body functions, including the breakdown and use of nutrients in cells.

Circulation

The movement of body fluids and substances, such as nutrients, hormones, and waste products, from one body area to another.

Reproduction

The formation of a new individual, as well as the formation of new cells in the body to permit growth, wound repair, and cell replacement.

Homeostasis

The process in health where all parts of the body function together to maintain internal stability.

Anatomical Position

A standardized posture where the subject stands upright facing the observer, head level, eyes forward, feet flat on the floor, arms at sides, and palms turned forward.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head, or the upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head, or the lower part of a structure.

Anterior

Also called ventral, a directional term meaning nearer to or at the front of the body.

Posterior

Also called dorsal, a directional term meaning nearer to or at the back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning nearer to the midline or midsagittal plane.

Lateral

Directional term meaning farther from the midline or midsagittal plane.

Intermediate

Directional term meaning between two structures.

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning on the same side of the body as another structure.

Contralateral

Directional term meaning on the opposite side of the body from another structure.

Proximal

Directional term in limbs meaning nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk or point of origin.

Distal

Directional term in limbs meaning farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk or point of origin.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface of the body.

Prone

Body position describing a person lying face down.

Supine

Body position describing a person lying face up.

Unilateral

Term describing a condition or location pertaining to one side of the body.

Bilateral

Term describing a condition or location pertaining to both sides of the body.

Sagittal Plane

An anatomical plane dividing the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal Plane

Also called median plane, an anatomical plane dividing the body into equal right and left halves.

Frontal Plane

Also called coronal plane, an anatomical plane dividing the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions.

Transverse Plane

Also called horizontal plane, a plane dividing the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions.

Body Cavity

A fluid-filled space inside the body that holds and protects internal organs.

Ventral Cavity

A major body cavity located at the anterior/front of the trunk, containing organs such as the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, and reproductive organs.

Dorsal Cavity

A major body cavity located at the posterior/back of the body, subdivided into the cranial and spinal cavities.

Cranial Cavity

A cavity formed by cranial bones that fills most of the upper skull and contains the brain.

Vertebral Canal

Also called spinal cavity, a cavity formed by the vertebral column containing the spinal cord and beginnings of spinal nerves.

Mediastinum

The central portion of the thoracic cavity between the lungs, extending from the sternum to the vertebral column and from the first rib to the diaphragm.

Pleural Cavity

A fluid-filled space surrounding each lung, bounded by the pleura serous membrane.

Pericardial Cavity

A fluid-filled space surrounding the heart, bounded by the pericardium serous membrane.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

A ventral cavity subdivision inferior to the diaphragm, divided into the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity.

Flexion

A joint movement characterized by bending or decreasing the angle between two bones.

Extension

A joint movement characterized by straightening or increasing the angle between two bones.

Hyperextension

Excessive extension of the parts at a joint beyond anatomical position.

Abduction

Movement of a body part away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement of a body part towards the midline of the body.

Pronation

Movement turning the forearm or foot downward so the palm or sole faces down.

Supination

Movement turning the forearm or foot upward so the palm or sole faces up.

Retraction

Movement of a body part backward.

Protraction

Movement of a body part forward.

Elevation

Movement raising a body part upward.

Depression

Movement lowering a body part downward.

Rotation

Turning movement of a body part on a single axis.

Circumduction

Tri-planar, circular motion of a limb at the hip or shoulder joint.

Lateral Flexion

Side-bending movement of the trunk or neck to the left or right.

Inversion

Movement turning the sole of the foot inward.

Eversion

Movement turning the sole of the foot outward.

Dorsiflexion

Ankle movement bringing the top of the foot towards the shin.

Plantarflexion

Ankle movement pointing the foot downward away from the leg.

Radial Deviation

Movement of the wrist towards the radius bone or lateral side.

Ulnar Deviation

Movement of the wrist towards the ulna bone or medial side.

Opposition

Movement of the thumb across the palm of the hand to touch the fingertips.