MAP: Body Positioning Strand 1

Anatomy

The study of body structure.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Chemical level

The level of body organization involving chemicals, such as calcium.

Cellular level

The level of body organization involving cells, such as a muscle fiber.

Tissue level

The level of body organization involving groups of similar cells, such as muscle tissue.

Organ level

The level of body organization involving structures made of tissues, such as the heart.

Organ system level

The level of body organization involving groups of organs working together, such as the cardiovascular system.

Organism level

The highest level of body organization; the whole human body.

Metabolism

All chemical processes that occur in the body.

Anabolism

The process of creating or building up molecules.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down molecules.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body.

Superior

Above or toward the head.

Inferior

Below or toward the feet.

Ventral

Toward the front/belly side of the body.

Dorsal

Toward the back side of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Sagittal plane

A plane that cuts the body into right and left sections.

Midsagittal plane

A plane that cuts the body into equal right and left sides.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that cuts the body into top and bottom sections.

Horizontal plane

Another name for the transverse plane; cuts the body into top and bottom sections.

Frontal plane

A plane that cuts the body into front and back halves.

Coronal plane

Another name for the frontal plane; cuts the body into front and back halves.

Dorsal cavity

The body cavity that includes the vertebral and cranial cavities.

Vertebral cavity

The dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Cranial cavity

The dorsal cavity that contains the brain.

Ventral cavity

The body cavity that includes the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Thoracic cavity

The ventral cavity that contains the heart and lungs.

Mediastinum

The midline region of the thoracic cavity.

Pericardial cavity

The cavity that contains the heart.

Pleural cavity

The cavity that contains the lungs.

Abdominal cavity

The cavity that contains many internal organs and is often divided into quadrants.

Pelvic cavity

The cavity that contains reproductive and urinary organs.

Left Upper Quadrant

The abdominal quadrant containing the spleen, stomach, and left kidney.

Right Upper Quadrant

The abdominal quadrant containing the liver and right kidney.

Left Lower Quadrant

The abdominal quadrant containing the left ovary, small intestine, and large intestine.

Right Lower Quadrant

The abdominal quadrant containing the cecum, appendix, and right ovary.

Homeostasis

The body’s state of balance or equilibrium.

Stress

Anything that disrupts homeostasis.

Stimulus

A stress or change in a situation that starts a feedback response.

Receptor

The part of a feedback mechanism that sends information to the control center.

Control center

The part of a feedback mechanism that integrates and processes information.

Effector

The part of a feedback mechanism that receives information and responds.

Negative feedback

A feedback mechanism that counteracts the stimulus.

Negative feedback example

Glucose and insulin levels.

Positive feedback

A feedback mechanism that enhances the stimulus.

Positive feedback example

Breastfeeding.