Organization, Body Systems, Positions, Regional Terms, and Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical definitions, levels of organization, body system organs and functions, directional terms, anatomical planes, regional body terms, and abdominopelvic quadrants.

Anatomy

Study of body structures.

Gross anatomy

Dissection.

Histology

Tissues.

Chemical level

Level of structural organization where atoms combine to form molecules.

Cellular level

Level of structural organization where cells are made up of molecules.

Tissue level

Level of structural organization where tissues consist of similar types of cells.

Organ level

Level of structural organization where organs are made up of different types of tissues.

Organ System level

Level of structural organization consisting of different organs that work together closely.

Organismal level

The whole person resulting from simpler levels of organization working together.

Integumentary system

Body system consisting of hair, skin, and nails; forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissues from injury, and synthesizes Vitamin D.

Skeletal system

Body system consisting of joints and bones; protects and supports body organs, provides a framework for muscles to cause movement, and forms blood cells.

Muscular system

Body system consisting of skeletal muscles; allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, facial expression, maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous system

Fast-acting control system consisting of brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors; responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine system

Body system consisting of pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, and adrenal glands, pancreas, testis, and ovary; secretes hormones regulating processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism).

Cardiovascular system

Body system consisting of the heart and blood vessels; blood vessels transport blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes while the heart pumps blood.

Lymphatic system

Body system consisting of red bone marrow, thymus, lymphatic vessels, thoracic duct, spleen, and lymph nodes; picks up leaked fluid, disposes of debris, houses lymphocytes involved in immunity, and mounts attacks against foreign substances.

Respiratory system

Body system consisting of nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus, and lungs; keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide via gas exchange through lung air sacs.

Digestive system

Body system consisting of oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, liver, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus; breaks down food into absorbable units for distribution to body cells and eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces.

Urinary system

Body system consisting of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; eliminates nitrogenous wastes and regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

Male reproductive system

Body system consisting of prostate gland, ductus deferens, scrotum, penis, and testes; overall function is production of offspring, sperm, and male sex hormones, with ducts and glands aiding sperm delivery.

Female reproductive system

Body system consisting of ovaries, uterus, vagina, uterine tubes, and mammary glands; produces eggs and female sex hormones, provides sites for fertilization and fetus development, and produces milk to nourish newborns.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward or at the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the trunk (stomach) or the point of attachment of a limb.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the trunk or the point of attachment of a limb.

Ipsilateral

Term meaning located on the same side of the body (e.g., right arm and right leg).

Contralateral

Term meaning located on opposite sides of the body (e.g., cross the body, left arm and left leg).

Anterior (ventral)

Directional term meaning toward or at the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward or at the back of the body.

Superficial (external)

Directional term meaning toward or at the body surface.

Deep (internal)

Directional term meaning away from the body surface.

Median (midsagittal plane)

Anatomical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Coronal (frontal) plane

Anatomical plane that divides the body into front and back portions.

Transverse plane

Anatomical plane (horizontal cut) that divides the body into upper and lower portions.

Oblique plane

Anatomical plane created by cutting the body at an angle (diagonally).

Cephalic

Regional term referring to the head.

Frontal

Regional term referring to the forehead.

Orbital

Regional term referring to the eye area.

Nasal

Regional term referring to the nose.

Oral

Regional term referring to the mouth.

Mental

Regional term referring to the chin.

Otic

Regional term referring to the ear.

Occipital

Regional term referring to the back of the head (skull).

Cervical

Regional term referring to the neck.

Thoracic

Regional term referring to the chest.

Sternal

Regional term referring to the breastbone or center of the chest (e.g., sternum).

Axillary

Regional term referring to the armpit.

Mammary

Regional term referring to the breast.

Abdominal

Regional term referring to the abdomen or belly.

Umbilical

Regional term referring to the belly-button area.

Pelvic

Regional term referring to the pelvis region.

Inguinal

Regional term referring to the groin.

Pubic

Regional term referring to the genital or pubic region.

Acromial

Regional term referring to the point or top of the shoulder (shoulder tip).

Brachial

Regional term referring to the upper arm (shoulder to elbow).

Antecubital

Regional term referring to the front of the elbow.

Olecranal

Regional term referring to the back of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Regional term referring to the forearm (elbow to wrist).

Carpal

Regional term referring to the wrist.

Manus

Regional term referring to the hands.

Pollex

Regional term referring to the thumb.

Metacarpal

Regional term referring to the back/palm bones of the hand (between wrist and fingers).

Palmar

Regional term referring to the palm of the hand.

Digital

Regional term referring to the fingers or toes.

Coxal

Regional term referring to the hip.

Femoral

Regional term referring to the thigh (femur = thigh bone).

Patellar

Regional term referring to the front of the knee (patella = kneecap).

Popliteal

Regional term referring to the back of the knee.

Crural

Regional term referring to the front of the lower leg (shin).

Sural

Regional term referring to the back of the lower leg (calf).

Fibular

Regional term referring to the outer/lateral side of the lower leg (fibula is lateral).

Pedal

Regional term referring to the foot.

Tarsal

Regional term referring to the ankle.

Calcaneal

Regional term referring to the heel (calcaneus bone).

Metatarsal

Regional term referring to the middle/top of the foot (between ankle and toes).

Plantar

Regional term referring to the sole/bottom of the foot.

Hallux

Regional term referring to the big toe.

Scapular

Regional term referring to the shoulder blade area (scapula = shoulder blade).

Vertebral

Regional term referring to the area along the spinal column (vertebrae = spine).

Lumbar

Regional term referring to the lower back.

Sacral

Regional term referring to the area between the hips, over the sacrum (just above buttocks).

Gluteal

Regional term referring to the buttocks.

Perineal

Regional term referring to the area between the anus and external genitalia.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing the liver, gallbladder, ascending colon of large intestine, part of the transverse colon, and small intestine.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing the cecum, appendix, small intestine, ascending colon of large intestine, and urinary bladder.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing the diaphragm, stomach, transverse colon of large intestine, descending colon of large intestine, small intestine, and part of the liver.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Abdominopelvic quadrant containing the descending colon of large intestine, sigmoid colon, small intestine, and urinary bladder.