Anatomic Terminology, Body Cavities, and Organ Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering body directional terms, body planes, cavities, serous membranes, organ systems, and anatomical regional terms.

Coronal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions; also called a frontal plane.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.

Midsagittal plane

A vertical plane that passes through the midline and divides the body or organ into equal left and right halves.

Integumentary System

Provides protection, regulates body temperature, site of cutaneous receptors, synthesizes vitamin D, and prevents water loss.

Skeletal System

Provides support and protection, site of hemopoiesis (blood cell production), stores calcium and phosphorus, and provides sites for muscle attachments.

Muscular System

Produces body movement and generates heat when muscles contract.

Nervous System

A regulatory system that controls body movement, responds to sensory stimuli, and helps control all other systems of the body; also responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory.

Endocrine System

Consists of glands and cell clusters that secrete hormones, some of which regulate body and cellular growth, chemical levels in the body, and reproductive functions.

Cardiovascular System

Consists of the heart (a pump), blood, and blood vessels; the heart moves blood through blood vessels in order to distribute hormones, nutrients, and gases, and pick up waste products.

Lymphatic System

Transports and filters lymph (interstitial fluid transported through lymph vessels) and initiates an immune response when necessary.

Respiratory System

Responsible for exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between blood and the air in the lungs.

Digestive System

Mechanically and chemically digests food materials, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste products.

Urinary System

Filters the blood and removes waste products from the blood, concentrates waste products in the form of urine, and expels urine from the body.

Female Reproductive System

Produces female sex cells (oocytes) and female hormones (e.g., estrogen and progesterone), receives sperm from male, site of fertilization of oocyte, and site of growth and development of embryo and fetus.

Male Reproductive System

Produces male sex cells (sperm) and male hormones (e.g., testosterone), and transfers sperm to the female.

Cranial cavity

Posterior aspect cavity formed by the cranium that houses the brain.

Vertebral canal

Posterior aspect cavity formed by the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity bordered anteriorly and laterally by the chest wall and inferiorly by the diaphragm.

Mediastinum

Median space in the thoracic cavity containing the pericardial cavity, thymus, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels.

Pericardium

The serous membrane associated with the heart and pericardial cavity.

Pleura

The serous membrane associated with the lungs and pleural cavity.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane associated with the abdominopelvic cavity and abdominal viscera.

Anterior

In front of; toward the front surface.

Posterior

In back of; toward the back surface.

Dorsal

At the back side of the human body.

Ventral

At the belly side of the human body.

Superior

Closer to the head.

Inferior

Closer to the feet.

Caudal

At the rear or tail end.

Cranial (Directional)

At the head end.

Rostral

Toward the nose.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Deep

On the inside, underneath another structure.

Superficial

On the outside.

Proximal

Closest to point of attachment to trunk.

Distal

Furthest from point of attachment to trunk.

Antebrachial

Forearm (the portion of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist).

Antecubital

Region anterior to the elbow; also known as the cubital region.

Axillary

Armpit.

Brachial

Arm (the portion of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow).

Buccal

Cheek.

Calcaneal

Heel of the foot.

Cephalic

Head.

Cervical

Neck.

Crural

Leg (the portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle).

Gluteal

Buttock.

Hallux

Great toe.

Inguinal

Groin (sometimes used to indicate just the crease in the junction of the thigh with the trunk).

Olecranal

Posterior of the elbow.

Perineal

Diamond-shaped region between the thighs that contains the anus and selected external reproductive organs.

Pollex

Thumb.

Popliteal

Area posterior to the knee.

Sural

Calf (posterior part of the leg).