Human Body Systems PLTW

Anterior

Situated toward the front of the body

Deep

Away from the body surface; More internal

Directional Terms

Terms used to explain where one body structure is in relation to another

Distal

Situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point; Located away from the center of the body

Dorsal

Being or located near, on, or toward the back or posterior part of the human body

Identity

The distinguishing character or personality of an individual

Inferior

Situated below and closer to the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being

Lateral

Of or relating to the side; especially of a body part

Medial

Lying or extending in the middle; especially of a body part

Posterior

Situated at or toward the hind part of the body

Proximal

Situated next to or near the point of attachment or origin or a central point

Regional Terms

Anatomical terms that refer to specific visible landmarks on the surface of the body

Superficial

Of, or relating to, or located near the surface

Superior

Situated toward the head and further away from the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being

System

A group of body organs or structures that together perform one or more vital functions

Ventral

Pertaining to the anterior or front side of the body; opposite of dorsal

Brain Stem

The part of the brain composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata and connecting the spinal cord with the forebrain and cerebrum

Central Nervous System

A large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe.

Cerebellum

A large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe.

Cerebrum

The dorsal portion, composed of right and left hemispheres, of the vertebrate forebrain; the integrating center for memory, learning, emotions, and other highly complex function of the central nervous system.

Gyrus

A convoluted ridge between anatomical grooves.

Limbic System

A group of subcortical structures (as the hypothalamus, the hippocampus, and the amygdala) of the brain that are concerned especially with emotion and motivation.

Lobe

A division of a body organ (as the brain, lungs, or liver) marked off by a fissure on the surface.

Peripheral Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves excepting the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system.

Phrenology

The study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character.

Sulcus

A shallow furrow on the surface of the brain separating adjacent gyri.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of relatively stable internal physiological conditions (as body temperature or the pH of blood) in higher animals under fluctuating environmental conditions.

Macromolecule

A very large molecule (as of a protein, nucleic acid, or carbohydrate) built up from smaller chemical structures

Resource

A natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body

Adduction

Movement toward the midline off the body

Articular Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage attached to articular bone surfaces

Articulation

The action or manner in which the parts come together at a joint

Ball-and-Socket Joint

An articulation (as the hip joint) in which the rounded head of one bone fits into a cuplike cavity of the other and admits movement in any direction

Cartilage

A usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates.

Circumduction

A movement at a synovial joint in which the distal end of the bone moves in a circle while the proximal end remains relatively stable

Dorsiflexion

Bending the foot in the direction of the dorsum (upper surface)

Extension

An unbending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that increases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint

Flexion

A bending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint

Goniometer

An instrument for measuring angles (as of a joint or the skull)

Hinge joint

Joint between bones (as at the elbow or knee) that permits motion in only one plane

Hyaline Cartilage

Translucent bluish white cartilage consisting of cells embedded in an apparently homogeneous matrix, present in joints and respiratory passages, and forming most of the fetal skeleton

Joint

The point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton whether movable or rigidly fixed together with the surrounding and supporting parts (as membranes, tendons, or ligaments)

Ligament

Dense regular connective tissue that attaches bone to bone

Plantar Flexion

Bending the foot in the direction of the plantar surface (sole)

Range of Motion

The range through which a joint can be moved

Rotation

Moving a bone around its own axis, with no other movement

Synovial Cavity

The space between the articulating bones of a synovial joint, filled with synovial fluid. Also called a joint cavity.

Synovial Fluid

Secretion of synovial membranes that lubricates the joints and nourishes articular cartilage

Synovial Joint

A fully moveable joint in which the synovial (joint) cavity is present between the two articulating bones

Tendon

A white fibrous cord of dense regular connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone

Bone Marrow

A soft highly vascular modified connective tissue that occupies the cavities and cancellous part of most bones and occurs in two forms - yellow and red

Bone Remodeling

The continuous turnover of bone matrix and mineral that involves first, an increase in resorption and osteoclast activity, and later, reactive bone formation by osteoblast activity

Calcitonin

A polypeptide hormone especially from the thyroid gland that tends to lower the level of calcium in the blood plasma

Callus

A growth of new bone tissue in and around a fractured area, ultimately

Compact Bone

Bone tissue that contains few spaces between osteons; forms the external portion of all bones and the bulk of diaphysis (shaft) of long bones

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone

Epiphysis

The end of a long bone, usually larger in diameter than the shaft

Fracture

The breaking of hard tissue (as bone)

Osteoblast

A bone-forming cell

Osteoclast

Any of the large multinucleate cells closely associated with areas of bone resorption (as in a fracture that is healing)

Osteocyte

A cell that is characterized of adult bone and is isolated in a lacuna of the bone substance

Parathyroid Hormone

A hormone of the parathyroid gland that regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the body

Spongy Bone

Bone tissue that consists of an irregular latticework of thin plates of bone called trabeculae; found inside short, flat, and irregular bones and in the epiphyses of the long bone

Case Study

A detailed analysis of a person or group, especially as a model of medical, psychiatric, psychological, or social phenomena

Intervention

Any measure whose purpose is to improve health or alter the course of disease