Chapter 6 Anatomic Descriptors, Body Structure, and Genetics

abdominal

abdomen

histology

study of tissues

Anatomy

The study of body structure

organs

Groups of tissues that work together to perform a specific function or related functions

physiology

The study of body function

cytology

study of cells

Homeostasis

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

Pathophysiology

the study of how disease processes affect the function of the body

biochemistry

the study of substances and processes occurring in living things

elements

any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances

membrane

A thin covering of tissue

mitosis

cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

nucleus

Control center of the cell

nuclear membrane

controls what goes in and out of the nucleus

nucleoplasm

Fluid inside the nucleus

nucleolus

Found inside the nucleus and produces ribosomes

ribosomes

site of protein synthesis

endoplasmic reticulum

A cell structure that forms a maze of passageways in which proteins and other materials are carried from one part of the cell to another.

mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell

Golgi apparatus

manufactures carbohydrates and packages secretions for discharge from the cell

lysosomes

An organelle containing digestive enzymes

pinocytic vesicles

Pocket like folds in the cell membrane that allow large molecules to enter the cell

centrosome

A structure in animal cells containing centrioles from which the spindle fibers develop.

centrioles

Cell organelle that aids in cell division in animal cells only; cylinder shaped

endocytosis

process by which a cell takes material into the cell by infolding of the cell membrane

pinocytosis

Cell drinking

diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

osmosis

Diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane

isotonic solution

a solution whose solute concentration is equal to the solute concentration inside a cell

hypotonic

Having a lower concentration of solute than another solution

hypertonic

when comparing two solutions, the solution with the greater concentration of solutes

phagocytosis

Cell eating

neurons

nerve cells

edema

puffy swelling of tissue from the accumulation of fluid

epithelial tissue

A body tissue that covers the surfaces of the body, inside and out

connective tissue

A body tissue that provides support for the body and connects all of its parts

keloid

overgrowth of scar tissue

osseous

bone tissue

neurilemma

the thin sheath around a nerve axon (including myelin where this is present).

voluntary muscle

Muscle that is under direct voluntary control of the brain and can be contracted or relaxed at will; skeletal, or striated, muscle.

involuntary muscle

muscle that responds automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled

smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle found inside many internal organs of the body

midsagittal plane

divides the body into equal right and left sides

medial

toward the midline

lateral

side

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment

distal

away from the point of attachment

frontal (coronal) plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

anterior

front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

back of body

transverse plane

divides the body into superior and inferior parts

cephalic

pertaining to the head

Inferior (caudal)

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

body cavities

spaces within the body that contain vital organs

diaphragm

a dome-shaped, muscular partition separating the thorax from the abdomen in mammals. It plays a major role in breathing, as its contraction increases the volume of the thorax and so inflates the lungs.

thoracic

pertaining to the chest

abdominopelvic

pertaining to the abdomen and pelvis

peritoneum

membrane that lines the abdominal cavity

cranial cavity

houses the brain

spinal cavity

contains the spinal cord

orbital cavity

bony cavity in the skull that houses and protects the eyeball

nasal cavity

hollow space behind the nose

Buccal

pertaining to the cheek

epigastric region

above the stomach

umbilical region

The centermost region, which includes the umbilicus

hypogastric region

located below the stomach

hypochondriac region

to the right and left of the epigastric region

lumbar region

lower back; loin or side

iliac region

to the right and left of the hypogastric region, near the groin

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

dominant gene

A gene that is expressed in the offspring whenever it is present

recessive gene

Gene that is hidden when the dominant gene is present

X-linked

referring to a gene located on the X chromosome

congenital disorder

an abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth

cell membrane is made up of

protein and fats