Chapter 1 – Organization of the Human Body – Terms to Know

Biology – scientific study of life

Anatomy – study of structures of the human body

Physiology – study of function of human body

Microscopic – requires magnification to study structures

Cytology – study of cells

Histology – study of tissues (no, not Kleenex!! )

Macroscopic – things visible with the unaided eye 

Scientific method – logical and systematic approach to discovering principles of nature

Hypothesis – a statement used as a proposed explanation for a scientific problem

Theory – a scientific idea that has a reasonably high degree of confidence after rigorous testing or observation

Eponym – terms that are based on a person’s name

 Responsiveness – ability of an organism to sense, monitor and respond to changes in internal and external environment

Conductivity – ability of cells to transmit a wave of electrical disturbance from one point to another 

Growth – organized increase in size and number of cells

Respiration – exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between organism and environment

Circulation – movement of fluids from one body area to another in a continuous and complete route through hollow vessels

Digestion – ability to break down complex food products into simple substances that can be absorbed and used by body cells

Absorption – movement of molecules through a membrane and into body fluids for transport to cells for use

Secretion – production and release of substances for diverse body functions

Excretion – removal of waste products

Reproduction – formation of new individual offspring

Metabolism – all of the chemical reactions of the body

Atom – smallest stable unit of matter

Molecule – group of atoms bonded together

Cell – smallest structure that performs all vital life functions

Organelle – “subcellular” structures, like little organs of a cell, each with individual structures and functions

Tissue – two or more cell types working together for a common function

Organ – two or more tissues working together for a common function, ie. Heart, lungs, stomach etc.

Organ systems – two or more organs working together for a common function

Integumentary system – skin, hair, nails & glands; protection, temperature regulation and sensation

Skeletal system – bones & ligaments; support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production

Muscular system – skeletal muscles & tendons; movement, posture & heat production

Nervous system – brain, spinal cord, nerves & sensory organs; immediate control, regulation and coordination of other organ systems, sensation and memory

Endocrine system – pituitary gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, thyroid, hypothalamus and others; long term control and regulation of other systems

Cardiovascular system – heart, blood & vessels; exchange and transport of materials

Lymphatic system – lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, spleen, thymus & tonsils; immunity & fluid balance

Respiratory system – lungs, bronchial tree, trachea, larynx & nasal cavity; movement of air, acid-base balance

Digestive system – stomach, small & large intestines, esophagus, liver, mouth & pancreas; breakdown & absorption of nutrients, elimination of waste

Urinary system – kidney, ureter, bladder & urethra; excretion of waste, fluid & electrolyte balance, acid-base balance

Reproductive system – males: testes, ductus deferens, prostate, penis/ females: ovaries, uterine tubes, vagina, mammary glands; reproduction, continuing of genetic information, nurturing offspring

Organism – all 11 organ systems collectively together as one cohesive unit

Anatomical position – standing posture with feet and head facing forward, arms at the sides and palms facing forward

Ventral body cavities – ventral = belly side; includes thoracic cavity & abdominopelvic cavity

Dorsal body cavities – dorsal = spine side; includes cranial & spinal cavities

Thoracic cavity – region of body trunk superior to diaphragm, includes pleural cavities, pericardial cavity & mediastinum

Pleural cavities – regions within left and right sides of thoracic cavity that contain each lung

Pericardial cavity – region within thoracic cavity that contains heart

Mediastinum – region within thoracic cavity between the pleural cavities, 

Abdominopelvic cavity – region of body trunk inferior to diaphragm, includes abdominal and pelvic cavities

Abdominal cavity - upper portion of abdominopelvic cavity, contains liver, gall bladder, stomach, pancreas, intestines, spleen, kidneys

Pelvic cavity – lower portion of abdominopelvic cavity, contains reproductive organs and part of large intestine

Cranial cavity – region within skull that contain brain

Spinal cavity – region within spinal column that contains spinal cord

Oral cavity – contains teeth and tongue

Nasal cavity – contains nose and sinuses

Orbital cavity – contains eyes

Middle ear cavity – contains bones of middle ear

Parietal – refers to the inside wall of a body cavity, or the membrane that covers this wall

Visceral – refers to the internal organs or the membrane that covers these organs

Axial – long axis of the body, includes head, neck and truck

Appendicular – the shoulder and arms & hips and legs

Superior – upper or above

Inferior – lower or below

Anterior – front 

Posterior – back

Medial – towards the midline

Lateral – towards the sides (away from the midline)

Proximal – closer to the attachment

Distal – farther from attachment (think distant)

Superficial – closer to the surface

Deep – farther away from surface

Lumen – hollow, open interior of organ or tube

Central – near the center or middle

Peripheral – near the surface or outside

Medullary – inner region of an organ

Cortical – outer region of an organ

Apical – narrow tip of organ

Basal – base or widest part of organ

Oblique – on an angle

Hypochondriac region – upper lateral abdominopelvic region 

Lumbar region – middle lateral abdominopelvic region

Inguinal region – lower lateral abdominopelvic region

Epigastric region – upper medial abdominopelvic region

Umbilical region – middle medial abdominopelvic region

Hypogastric region – lower medial abdominopelvic region

Sagittal plane – line dividing into right and left pieces

Coronal plane (aka frontal plane) – line dividing into front and back pieces

Transverse plane (aka horizontal plane) – line dividing into top and bottom pieces

 Abdominal – anterior torso below diaphragm

Acromial – shoulder

Antebrachial – forearm

Antecubital – depressed area in front of elbow

Axillary – armpit

Brachial – upper part of arm

Buccal – cheek (inside)

Calcaneal – heel of foot

Carpal – wrist

Cephalic – head

Cervical – neck

Coxal – hip

Cranial - skull

Crural – leg (below knee)

Cubital – elbow

Cutaneous – skin (or body surface)

Digital – fingers or toes

Dorsal – back (spine side)

Facial – face

Femoral – thigh

Frontal - forehead

Gluteal – buttock

Hallux – great toe

Inguinal – groin

Lumbar – lower back

Mammary – breast

Manual – hand

Mental – chin

Nasal – nose

Navel – umbilicus (belly button)

Occipital – back of lower part of skull

Olecranal – back of elbow

Oral – mouth

Orbital – eyes

Ophthalmic – eyes

Otic – ear

Palmar – palm of hand (anterior surface)

Patellar – front of knee

Pedal – foot

Pelvic – lower portion of torso

Perineal – area between anus and genitals

Plantar – sole of foot (bottom of foot)

Pollex – thumb

Popliteal – back of knee

Pubic – pubis

Supraclavicular – area above clavicle 

Sural – calf (back of leg below knee)

Tarsal – ankle

Temporal – side of skull

Thoracic – mid back or chest

Zygomatic – cheek bone

Homeostasis – relatively constant internal state maintained by the human body

Set point – ideal value 

Afferent – signal traveling toward a particular center

Efferent – signal traveling away from a particular center

Negative feedback – inhibitory control mechanism, change will oppose (or negate) original condition 

Positive feedback – stimulating control mechanism, change will amplify original condition

Intracellular controls – operate at the cell level through genes, enzymes and regulatory proteins

Intrinsic controls – operate at the tissue and organ level through chemical signals

Extrinsic controls – typically involve nervous or endocrine systems