Body Systems, Skeletal, and Muscular Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering body systems, tissues, anatomical terminology, and skeletal/muscular structures and disorders.

Abdominal cavity

Contains digestive organs

Adipose tissue

Stores fat and provides insulation

Anatomical position

Standard body reference position

Anterior

Toward the front

Appendicular skeleton

Limbs and girdles

Articular cartilage

Cartilage that reduces friction at joints

Atrophy

Decrease in muscle size due to disuse

Axial skeleton

Skull, spine, and ribs

Below

Lower than another structure

Cardiac muscle

Muscle found in the heart

Cardiovascular system

Transports oxygen, nutrients, and wastes

Cartilaginous joints

Slightly movable joints

Connective tissue

Supports, binds, and connects body structures

Contractility

Ability of a muscle to shorten

Cranial cavity

Contains the brain

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body

Diaphysis

Shaft of a long bone

Digestive system

Breaks down food

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment

Dorsal cavity

Protects the brain and spinal cord

Elasticity

Ability of muscle to return to original shape

Endocrine system

Controls hormone regulation

Endosteum

Inner lining of bone

Epigastric region

Region located above the stomach

Epiphyses

Ends of a long bone

Epithelial tissue

Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands

Excitability

Ability to respond to a stimulus

Extensibility

Ability to stretch

Fatigue

Reduced ability of muscle to contract

Fibrous joints

Immovable joints

Fibromyalgia

Disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain

Flat bones

Bones with broad surfaces that provide protection

Fontanels

Soft spots in an infant's skull

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides body into front and back portions

Gout

Excess uric acid causing joint pain

Hematopoiesis

Blood cell production in bones

Hernia

Protrusion of an organ through muscle

Hypertrophy

Increase in muscle size due to use

Hypochondriac regions

Upper lateral abdominal regions

Hypogastric region

Lower middle abdominal region

Iliac (inguinal) regions

Lower lateral abdominal regions

Inferior

Toward the tail or feet

Insertion

Movable attachment of a muscle

Integumentary system

Includes the skin

Kyphosis

Abnormal outward curvature of the spine

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Ligaments

Structures that connect bone to bone

LLQ

Left lower abdominal quadrant

Lordosis

Exaggerated inward curvature of the lower spine

Long bones

Bones longer than they are wide

Lumbar regions

Middle lateral abdominal regions

Lymphatic system

Major role in immunity

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Medullary canal

Cavity that holds bone marrow

Mucous membranes

Line open body passages and secrete mucus

Muscle tissue

Tissue capable of contraction to produce movement

Muscular dystrophy

Progressive muscle degeneration

Muscular system

Works with bones to produce movement

Myasthenia gravis

Autoimmune muscle weakness

Nervous system

Rapid control and communication

Nervous tissue

Tissue that transmits electrical impulses

Origin

Fixed attachment of a muscle

Ossification

Process of bone formation

Osteoarthritis

Wear-and-tear arthritis

Osteoblasts

Cells that build new bone tissue

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down bone tissue

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells

Osteoporosis

Loss of bone density

Pelvic cavity

Contains reproductive organs

Periosteum

Outer covering of bone

Posterior

Toward the back of the body

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment

Respiratory system

Site of gas exchange

Rheumatoid arthritis

Autoimmune arthritis

RUQ

Right upper abdominal quadrant

Sagittal plane

Divides body into left and right portions

Scoliosis

Lateral curvature of the spine

Serous membranes

Line closed body cavities and reduce friction

Sesamoid bone

Type of bone that includes the kneecap

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary muscle attached to bones

Skeletal system

Provides support, protection, and mineral storage

Skin

Outer protective covering of the body

Smooth muscle

Muscle found in organs and blood vessels

Spinal cavity

Houses the spinal cord

Strain

Torn muscle

Superficial

Toward the surface of the body

Superior

Toward the head

Supporting connective tissue

Classification of bone and cartilage

Synovial joints

Freely movable joints

Tendinitis

Inflammation of a tendon

Tendons

Structures that connect muscle to bone

Tetanus

Bacterial disease causing muscle rigidity

Thoracic cavity

Contains the heart and lungs

Tone

Continuous partial contraction of muscles

Transverse plane

Divides body into upper and lower portions

Umbilical region

Region that contains the navel

Urinary system

Removes waste and maintains fluid balance