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Anatomy

Branch of science dealing with the form and organization of body parts.

Physiology

The study of body functions.

Structure

The form and organization of body parts.

Function

What a body part does and how it does it.

Atom

Smallest particle of an element that has the properties of that element.

Subatomic Particles

Parts of an atom, including protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Molecule

Particle composed of two or more joined atoms.

Macromolecule

Very large molecule, such as a protein, starch, or nucleic acid.

Cell

The structural and functional unit of an organism.

Organelle

A specialized structure within a cell that has a specific function.

Tissue

An assembled group of similar cells that performs a specialized function.

Organs

Structures consisting of two or more tissues with a specialized function.

Organ System

A group of organs coordinated to carry on a specialized function.

Organism

An individual living thing.

Internal Environment

Conditions inside the body that surround the cells.

Cell Membrane

The selectively permeable outer boundary of a cell consisting of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins.

Homeostasis

Dynamic state in which the body’s internal environment is maintained within the normal range.

Pressure Gradient

Difference in the pressure of a liquid or gas from one area to another.

Concentration Gradient

Difference in the concentration of a chemical from one area to another.

Permeant

Possessing the ability to cross a cell membrane.

Permeable

Open for passage across a cell membrane.

Cellular Differentiation

The process of embryonic cells becoming fated for their various functions.

Membrane Receptors

Proteins found on a cell membrane that can bind to chemicals such as neurotransmitters and hormones.

Homeostatic Mechanism

Any control system that helps maintain a normal internal environment in the body.

Feedback Loop

An underlying component of physiological control systems that maintain homeostasis.

Intracellular Fluid

Fluid inside the cells.

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid between cells and outside of blood vessels; tissue fluid.

Extracellular Fluid

Fluids outside cells.

Atmospheric Pressure

Pressure exerted by the weight of the air, about 760 mm of mercury at sea level.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Pressure exerted by fluids, such as blood pressure.

Receptor

A specialized cell or structure that provides information about the environment.

Control Center

The decision-maker in a homeostatic mechanism.

Set Point

Target value of a physiological measurement maintained automatically in the body.

Effector

A muscle or gland that produces a response to a signal from the control center.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism that restores the level of a biochemical or other condition in the internal environment.

Positive Feedback

A process by which changes cause additional similar changes, producing unstable conditions.

Normal Range

Range of values for a particular measurement obtained from a sample of the healthy population.

Axial Portion

Pertaining to the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

Includes the upper and lower limbs.

Cranial Cavity

Space in the cranium containing the brain.

Vertebral Canal

Canal formed by hollow areas in the vertebrae that contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Space containing organs in the upper trunk.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Space between the diaphragm and the pelvic outlet that contains the abdominal and pelvic viscera.

Viscera

Organs in a body cavity.

Diaphragm

A sheetlike structure largely composed of skeletal muscle and connective tissue that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Mediastinum

The region in the thoracic cavity between the lungs.

Abdominal Cavity

Space between the diaphragm and the pelvic inlet that contains the abdominal viscera.

Pelvic Cavity

Hollow place within the ring formed by the sacrum and hip bones.

Oral Cavity

Chamber between the palate and the tongue.

Nasal Cavity

Space within the nose.

Orbital Cavity

Bony socket where the eye resides.

Tympanic Cavity

Middle ear where the ossicles are located.

Serous Membrane

Membrane that lines a cavity without an opening to the outside of the body and covers the organs in these cavities.

Pleural Membrane

Serous membrane that encloses the lungs and lines the chest wall.

Pericardial Membrane

Connective tissue surrounding the heart comprising two layers.

Peritoneal Membrane

Connective tissue lining the body cavity comprising two layers.

InnerConnections

Ties together the ways in which organ systems interact.

Integumentary System

Pertaining to the skin and its accessory organs.

Skeletal System

Organ system consisting of the bones, and the ligaments and cartilages that hold them together.

Muscular System

Organ system consisting of the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues.

Nervous System

Organ system consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Innervate

To supply with a nerve.

Endocrine System

Organ system that includes all the glands that secrete hormones into the blood.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system consisting of the heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic System

The organs and tissues associated with immunity and fluid balance.

Digestive System

Organ system that includes the mouth, tongue, teeth, pharynx, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small intestine, and large intestine.

Respiratory System

Organ system consisting of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, bronchi, and lungs. It obtains oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

Urinary System

Body system consisting of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; filters substances from the blood and forms, stores, and excretes urine.

Excretion

Elimination of metabolic wastes from the internal environment.

Reproduction

Offspring formation.

Reproductive System

Body system consisting of male or female reproductive organs for the primary purpose of producing offspring.

Anatomical Position

Body posture with the body erect, face forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Superior

Means a part is above another part.

Inferior

Means a part is below another part.

Anterior

Means toward the front.

Posterior

Means toward the back.

Medial

Closer to the body’s midline.

Lateral

Toward the side, away from the midline.

Bilateral

Refers to paired structures, one on each side of the midline.

Ipsilateral

Refers to structures on the same side.

Contralateral

Refers to structures on opposite sides.

Proximal

Describes a part closer to a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part.

Distal

Describes a part farther from a point of attachment to the trunk; opposite of proximal.

Superficial

Means near the surface.

Deep

Describes more internal parts.

Sagittal

Refers to a lengthwise cut that divides the body into right and left portions.

Transverse

Refers to a cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal

Refers to a section that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Epigastric Region

The upper middle portion of the abdomen.

Right & Left Hypochondriac Regions

The right and left regions on either side of the epigastric region, just inferior to the ribs.

Umbilical Region

The central portion of the abdomen.

Right & Left Lateral Regions

The right and left regions on either side of the umbilical region.

Pubic Region

The lower middle portion of the abdomen.

Right & Left Inguinal Regions

The right and left regions on either side of the pubic region.

Abdominal

Pertaining to the portion of the body between the diaphragm and the pelvis.

Acromial

Pertaining to the shoulder.

Antebrachial

Pertaining to the forearm.

Antecubital

Pertaining to the front of the elbow.

Axillary

Pertaining to the armpit.

Brachial

Pertaining to the arm.