Anatomy, Histology, and Cytology Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from lab study guides covering anatomical terminology, planes, directional terms, body cavities, body regions, cranial and postcranial skeleton, mitosis, histology, and integumentary anatomy.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical body plane that divides the body into left and right parts.

Coronal Plane

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

Transverse Plane

A horizontal body plane that divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head or toward the lower part of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment or trunk of the body.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment or trunk of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning farther away from the body surface; more internal.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward or at the body surface.

Caudal

Directional term meaning toward the tail or inferior end of the body.

Rostral

Directional term meaning toward the forehead or nose.

Cranial Cavity

The body cavity that encloses the brain.

Vertebral Cavity

The body cavity that encloses the spinal cord.

Pleural Cavity

The thoracic body cavity that encloses the lungs.

Pericardial Cavity

The body cavity that encloses the heart.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity enclosing the heart, major blood vessels associated with the heart, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, and thymus.

Abdominal Cavity

The body cavity enclosing digestive organs, kidneys, and ureters.

Pelvic Cavity

The body cavity enclosing the rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, and reproductive organs.

Cranial

Anatomical term referring to the skull.

Facial

Anatomical term referring to the face.

Oral

Anatomical term referring to the mouth.

Nasal

Anatomical term referring to the nose.

Orbital

Anatomical term referring to the eyes.

Cervical / Nuchal

Anatomical term referring to the neck.

Axillary

Anatomical term referring to the armpit.

Thoracic

Anatomical term referring to the chest/trunk region.

Acromial

Anatomical term referring to the shoulder.

Sternal

Anatomical term referring to the region between the chest.

Pectoral

Anatomical term referring to the chest.

Brachial

Anatomical term referring to the upper arm.

Cubital

Anatomical term referring to the front surface of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Anatomical term referring to the forearm.

Carpal

Anatomical term referring to the wrist.

Manus

Anatomical term referring to the hand.

Palmar

Anatomical term referring to the front of the hand.

Dorsum of Hand

Anatomical term referring to the back of the hand.

Digits

Anatomical term referring to the fingers or toes.

Vertebral

Anatomical term referring to the spinal column or back.

Umbilical

Anatomical term referring to the bellybutton.

Inguinal

Anatomical term referring to the groin.

Lumbar

Anatomical term referring to the small of the back.

Gluteal

Anatomical term referring to the buttocks.

Perineal

Anatomical term referring to the inferior genital region.

Pubis

Anatomical term referring to the anterior genital region.

Femoral

Anatomical term referring to the thigh.

Patellar

Anatomical term referring to the front of the knee.

Popliteal

Anatomical term referring to the back of the knee.

Crural

Anatomical term referring to the lower leg.

Tarsal

Anatomical term referring to the ankle.

Pedal

Anatomical term referring to the foot.

Dorsum (Foot)

Anatomical term referring to the top of the foot.

Plantar

Anatomical term referring to the sole of the foot.

Frontal Bone

Cranial bone that forms the forehead and superior part of the orbits.

Occipital Bone

Cranial bone that forms the posterior and inferior base of the skull.

Occipital Condyle

Rounded process on the occipital bone that articulates with the atlas (first vertebra).

Parietal Bone

Paired cranial bones that form the superior and lateral walls of the cranium.

Temporal Bone

Paired cranial bones forming the lower lateral sides and base of the skull.

Petrous Part of Temporal Bone

Dense internal portion of the temporal bone enclosing structures of the inner and middle ear.

Mandible

The lower jaw bone, forming the lower structure of the skull.

Ramus

The vertical posterior portion of the mandible.

Coronoid Process

Anterior, pointed projection on the superior end of the mandibular ramus.

Condyloid Process

Posterior process on the mandibular ramus that articulates with the temporal bone.

Maxilla

The upper jaw bone housing upper teeth and forming the anterior hard palate.

Dental Alveoli

Sockets in the maxilla and mandible into which the roots of teeth are set.

Sphenoid Bone

Butterfly-shaped cranial bone forming part of the cranial base and orbit walls.

Sella Turcica

Saddle-like depression on the sphenoid bone holding the pituitary gland.

Zygomatic Bone

Facial bone forming the cheekbone and lateral wall of the orbit.

Ethmoid Bone

Anterior cranial bone between the eyes forming parts of the nasal cavity and cranial floor.

Crista Galli

Superior median process of the ethmoid bone serving as attachment point for cranial membranes.

Cribriform Plate

Perforated horizontal plate of the ethmoid bone allowing passage of olfactory nerve fibers.

Perpendicular Plate of Ethmoid Bone

Thin vertical plate of ethmoid bone forming the superior part of the nasal septum.

Nasal Bone

Small paired facial bones forming the bridge of the nose.

Lacrimal Bone

Small paired facial bones located in the medial wall of each orbit.

Vomer

Unpaired facial bone forming the inferior and posterior portion of the nasal septum.

Palatine Bone

Paired facial bones forming the posterior hard palate and lateral nasal cavity walls.

Hyoid Bone

U-shaped bone in the anterior neck supporting the tongue, without direct articulation to other bones.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra, specialized for rotation of the head around its dens process.

Sagittal Suture

Fibrous joint connecting the left and right parietal bones along the midline.

Coronal Suture

Fibrous joint between the frontal bone and the two parietal bones.

Lambdoidal Suture

Fibrous joint between the parietal bones and the occipital bone.

Squamous Suture

Fibrous joint between the parietal bone and temporal bone on each side of the skull.

Wormian Bone

Small extra bone island that forms within cranial sutures.

Infraorbital Foramen

Opening in the maxilla below the orbital margin for nerve and vessel passage.

Foramen Magnum

Large opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord connects to the brainstem.

Scapula

Triangular bone forming the shoulder blade on the posterior thoracic wall.

Olecranon Fossa

Depression on the posterior distal humerus receiving the olecranon of the ulna during elbow extension.

Medial Epicondyle

Prominent medial projection at the distal end of the humerus.

Lateral Epicondyle

Prominent lateral projection at the distal end of the humerus.

Manubrium

Broad, upper portion of the sternum articulating with the clavicles and first ribs.

Xiphoid Process

Small, pointed cartilaginous/bony process forming the inferior tip of the sternum.

Cervical Vertebrae

Seven vertebrae of the neck region containing transverse foramina.

Transverse Foramen

Openings in the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae for vertebral blood vessel passage.

Vertebral Foramen

Large central opening in a vertebra through which the spinal cord passes.

Femur

Long bone of the thigh, articulating proximally with the hip and distally with the tibia.

Pelvis

Bony structure formed by the hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx.

Sacrum

Triangular bone at the base of the spine composed of fused sacral vertebrae.