Lauren Garcia Human Body Systems Chapter 1: Introduction to the human body

What does ana- mean?

The prefix 'ana-' is derived from Greek, meaning 'up.’ It is often used in medical terminology to indicate a process of restoration or an increase.

What does tome mean?

The term 'tome' originates from Greek, meaning 'to cut.' In medical contexts, it often refers to a surgical procedure involving dissection or incisions.

What is the definition of anatomy?

Scientific study of body structures (morphology) and development.

Who was Andreas Vesalius?

A 16th-century anatomist who is considered the “father of modern anatomy” due to his detailed studies and illustrations of the human body.

What is the nomina anatomica?

The anatomic names/terms of the body that we agreed on by the international Congress of Anatomists

What is the definition of physiology?

The scientific study of how the body functions; understanding chemical and physical functions of the body.

What are the levels of organization within the human body?

The hierarchical structure that includes the chemical level, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the organism as a whole.

What is gross anatomy?

The study of the structures of the body visible to the naked eye, including organs and systems.

What is surface anatomy?

The study of the external structures of the body; focuses on the overall surface of the body without going “inside”

What does palpate mean?

Touch or feel

What is radiological anatomy?

The study of anatomy that utilizes the use of technology or scans; the body’s structure being seen through scans.

What is systemic anatomy?

The study of anatomy that focuses on a particular organ system; ex. cardiovascular system.

What is histology?

The study of body tissues and types of tissues.

What is cytology?

The study of body cells and cell structure.

What is embryology?

The study of the development of a fetus throughout prenatal development.

What is teratology?

The scientific study of congenital malformations (birth defects) and their causes. It investigates factors that disrupt normal embryonic or fetal development.

What is a zygote?

The cell formed when two gametes fuse during fertilization; the beginning of embryonic development.

What is comparative anatomy?

The study of similarities and differences in the anatomical structures of different species. This helps us infer how species have evolved over time and how their forms are related to functions.

What does patho- mean?

The prefix “patho-” is derived from the Greek word “pathos” meaning suffering or disease.

What is superior?

The position to describe a body part that is closer to the head or is above another part of the body.

What is inferior?

The position to describe a body part that is closer to the feet or is below another part of the body.

What is anterior (ventral)?

A term to describe the front side of the body, and refers to the position closer to the front surface (belly side).

What is posterior (dorsal)?

A term to describe the back side of the body. It is the position closer to the back surface (back/spine side).

What is medial?

The position that is closer to the midline of the body, the line that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

What is lateral?

The position that is further away from the midline of the body.

What is proximal?

The position closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the central part of the body.

What is distal?

The position farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the central part of the body.

What is superficial?

The position closer to the surface of the body, or the exterior of the body (ex. skin).

What is deep (internal)?

The position farther away from the surface of the body, closer to the internal body parts (ex. bones).

What is parietal?

Refers to the wall of a body cavity; the membrane that lines a body cavity.

What is visceral?

Refers to the organs located inside a body cavity; the inside of a body cavity.

What is supine?

The body position where the person is lying on their back, with their face facing upwards.

What is prone?

The body position where the person is lying on their belly, with their face facing down.

What is the midsagittal section?

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

What is the frontal (coronal) section?

Anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

What is the transverse (cross-) section?

Anatomical plane that divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.

What is the dorsal body cavity?

One of the major body cavities, located on the posterior (back) side and contains the cranial and vertebral cavities.

What is the cranial cavity?

The body cavity in the head that contains the brain.

What is the vertebral (spinal) cavity?

The body cavity in the back that contains the spinal cord.

What is the thoracic (pleural) cavity?

An anterior body cavity located in the chest; contains organs like the lungs and heart.

What is the abdominal (peritoneum) cavity?

An anterior body cavity located in the abdomen (belly); contains organs like the large and small intestines.

What is the pelvic cavity?

An anterior body cavity located in the pelvis (hips); contains reproductive organs.

What separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity?

A muscle called the diaphragm.

What is the cephalic region?

The region of the body that contains the head area, ex. skull.

What is the cervical region?

The region of the body that contains the neck area, ex. larynx.

What is the pectoral region?

The region of the body that contains the chest area, ex. pectoral muscles.

What is the mammary region?

The region of the body that contains the breast area in females, ex. the breasts.

What is the brachial region?

The region of the body that contains the upper arm area, ex. biceps

What does ante- mean?

A prefix used to refer to the front of a body part.

What is the cubital region?

The region of the body that contains the back of the elbow, also known as the olecranal region.

What is the carpal region?

The region of the body that contains the wrist area, ex. carpal tunnel syndrome

What is the inguinal region?

The region of the body that contains the groin, ex. reproductive organs.

What is the crural region?

The region of the body that contains the leg, specifically the lower leg.

What is the patellar region?

The region of the body that contains the anterior knee area.

What is the pedal?

The region of the body that contains the foot, ex. toes (phalanges)

What is the occipital region?

The region of the body that contains posterior and lower region/base of the skull, ex. back of the head.

What is the popliteal region?

The region of the body that contains the posterior of the knee area, ex. the hollows of the back of the knee.

What is the calcaneal?

The region of the body that contains the heel, ex. Achilles tendon.

Abdomin/o

Abdomen/peritoneal

Acr/o

Extremity, ex. legs and arms.

Aden/o

Gland ex. thyroid gland.

Angi/o

Vessel ex. blood vessels

Arthr/o

Joints

Cardi/o

Heart

Chondr/o

Cartilage

Cyst/o

Bladder/sac

Cyt/o

Cell

Dent/o

Tooth

Dermat/o

Skin

Derm/o

Skin

Duoden/o

Duodenum (first section of the small intestine)

Gastr/o

Stomach

Hepat/o

Liver

Laryn/go

Larynx/voice box

My/o

Muscle

Nephr/o

Kidney ex. nephritis

Neur/o

Nerve

Oste/o

Bone

Ot/o

Ear ex. otitis

Path/o

Disease ex. pathology

Pneumon/o

Lung ex. pneumonia

Rhin/o

Nose ex. Rhinoplasty

Stomat/o

Mouth

Thorac/o

Thorax (chest) ex. thoracic cavity.