Anatomy & Physiology ‒ Introductory Vocabulary

Anatomy

Study of the structure and shape of body parts and their relationships to one another.

Physiology

Study of the functions of body parts and how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

Morphology

Branch of biology that deals with the form and external structure of organisms.

Gross (Macroscopic) Anatomy

Examination of large, easily observable body structures such as the heart or bones.

Microscopic Anatomy

Study of very small body structures requiring a microscope; includes histology and cytology.

Surface Anatomy

Study of the external form and markings of the body visible to the naked eye.

Systematic Anatomy

Study of specific body systems, e.g., the respiratory system.

Regional Anatomy

Study focused on all structures in a particular body region, e.g., the head or neck.

Radiographic Anatomy

Study of internal structures using X-ray and imaging techniques.

Developmental Anatomy

Study of structural changes from fertilized egg to adult form.

Pathological Anatomy

Study of structural changes caused by disease.

Cardiovascular Physiology

Study of the functions of the heart and blood vessels.

Immunology

Study of the body’s defense mechanisms, including antibodies against pathogens.

Respiratory Physiology

Study of the functions of air passages and lungs.

Renal Physiology

Study of kidney functions such as filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and hormone production.

Cell Physiology

Study of cell function, from cellular structures to molecular transport.

Pathophysiology

Study of functional changes that accompany disease and aging.

Exercise Physiology

Study of functional changes during muscular activity.

Neurophysiology

Study of functional characteristics of neurons and the nervous system.

Endocrinology

Study of hormones and how they regulate body functions.

Cytology

Branch of biology that studies cells.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Organology

Study of the structure and functions of organs.

Hematopoiesis

Process of blood cell formation.

Chemical Level

Lowest level of structural organization consisting of atoms and molecules.

Cellular Level

Level where cells—the smallest living units—carry out specific roles.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells working together to perform common functions.

Organ Level

Structure composed of two or more tissue types performing a specific task.

Organ System Level

Group of organs that cooperate to accomplish a common purpose.

Organismal Level

Highest level of organization; the living individual made of interacting organ systems.

Integumentary System

External covering—skin; waterproofs, cushions, and regulates temperature.

Skeletal System

Bones, cartilage, ligaments, joints; supports body and facilitates movement.

Muscular System

Skeletal muscles that contract to produce body movements.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones for movement.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle in walls of organs and vessels.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated, involuntary muscle found only in the heart; pumps blood.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system consisting of brain, spinal cord, nerves, and receptors.

Endocrine System

Slow-acting control system of glands that secrete hormones into the blood.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels; transports gases, nutrients, hormones, and wastes.

Lymphatic System

Returns leaked fluid to blood; houses immune cells for defense.

Respiratory System

Organs that supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide via gas exchange.

Digestive System

Tube from mouth to anus; breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Urinary System

Removes nitrogenous wastes; maintains water, electrolyte, and pH balance.

Reproductive System

Organs that produce gametes and enable fertilization and development of offspring.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Negative Feedback

Homeostatic mechanism that reverses a deviation to return value to set point.

Positive Feedback

Mechanism that amplifies a change until a specific goal is reached; short-lived.

Homeostatic Imbalance

The body fails to maintain balance and body becomes unstable.

Disease

Pathological condition where normal body function is disturbed.

Local Disease

Illness confined to one body region.

Systemic Disease

Illness affecting several parts or the entire body.

Sign

Objective, measurable indicator of disease observed by others.

Symptom

Subjective sensation experienced by the patient.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Posterior cavities containing the cranial and vertebral cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Space within the skull housing the brain.

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

Canal within vertebrae containing the spinal cord.

Ventral Body Cavity

Anterior cavity subdivided into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Chest cavity that houses lungs and heart.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Contains abdominal and pelvic organs.

Serous Membrane

Thin double-layered membrane lining body cavities and organs.

Visceral Layer

Serous membrane layer that covers the organ surface.

Parietal Layer

Serous membrane layer lining the cavity wall.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Pleura

Serous membrane surrounding the lungs.

Pericardium

Serous membrane enclosing the heart.

Anatomical Position

Standard body posture: standing erect, feet together, arms at sides, palms forward.

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior (Caudal)

Away from the head; toward the lower part of a structure.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Near the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; internal.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into left and right parts.

Mid-Sagittal Plane

Sagittal plane dividing body into equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal Plane

Sagittal plane dividing body into unequal left and right portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Plane dividing body into superior and inferior sections.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Plane dividing body into anterior and posterior portions.

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle of a joint, usually in a sagittal plane.

Extension

Movement that increases the angle of a joint, straightening it.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the body’s midline in the coronal plane.

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the body’s midline.

Rotation

Turning of a bone around its longitudinal axis.

Circumduction

Circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Pronation

Medial rotation of the forearm so the palm faces posteriorly.

Supination

Lateral rotation of the forearm so the palm faces anteriorly.

Protraction

Anterior movement of a body part in a transverse plane.

Retraction

Posterior movement of a protracted part back to anatomical position.

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot medially.

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot laterally.

Active Transport

Energy-requiring movement of solutes from lower to higher concentration.

Cilia

Motile, hair-like projections that move substances across cell surfaces.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like substance inside the cell surrounding the nucleus.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Large nucleotide polymer carrying genetic information.

Diffusion

Passive movement of particles from high to low concentration.