Human Anatomy & Physiology definitions - Chapter 1-3 test - set 1

Anabolism - assembly of more complex molecules from simpler molecules

Anatomic Position - standard reference position used for describing locations and directions

on the human body

Anatomy - scientific study of the body’s structure

Anterior - describes the front/direction of the front on the human body

Anterior Cavity - large body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body

Catabolism - breaking down of more complex molecules into simpler molecules

Caudal - position below or lower than another part of the body; near or towards the tail

Cell - smallest independently functioning unit of all organisms; in animals, a cell contains a

cytoplasm, composed of fluid and organelles

Cranial - a position above or higher than another part of the body; also referred to as superior

Cranial Cavity - division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the brain

Deep - position farther from the surface of the body

Developmental - changes an organism goes through during its life

Differentiation - process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and

function

Distal - position farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body

Dorsal - back or direction toward the back of the body; also referred to as posterior

Dorsal Cavity - posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to as

the posterior body cavity

Effector - organ that can cause a change in value

Frontal Plane - 2-dimensional; vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and

posterior portions

Gross Anatomy - study of the larger structures of the body, typically with the unaided eye

Growth - process of increasing in size

Homeostasis - steady state of body systems that living organisms maintain

Inferior - position below or lower than another part of the body; near or toward the tail; also

referred to as caudal

Lateral - side or direction toward the side of the body

Medial - middle or direction toward the middle of the body

Metabolism - the sum of all of the body’s chemical reactions

Microscopic Anatomy - study of very small structures of the body using magnification

Negative Feedback - a homeostatic mechanism that tends to stabilize an upset in the body’s

physiological condition by preventing an excessive response to a stimulus, typically as the

stimulus is removed

Organ - functionally distinct structure composed of two or more types of tissues

Organ System - a group of organs that work together to carry out a particular function

Organism - a living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all

physiological functions necessary for life

Pericardium - the sac that encloses the heart

Peritoneum - the serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and covers the organs

found there

Physiology - science that studies the chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of the body’s functions

Plane - a 2-dimensional surface that passes through the body

Pleura - the serous membrane that lines the pleural cavity and covers the lungs

Positive Feedback - a mechanism that intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition

in response to a stimulus

Posterior - back direction; also referred to as dorsal

Posterior Cavity - posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to

as dorsal cavity

Proximal - position nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body

Regional Anatomy - study of the structures that contribute to specific body regions

Reproduction - new organisms are generated

Responsiveness - the ability of an organism or a system to adjust to changes in conditions

Sagittal Plane - a 2-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left

sides

Section - a single flat surface of a 3-dimensional structure that has been cut through

Sensor (also receptors) - reports a monitored physiological value to the control center

Serosa - membrane that covers organs and reduced friction; also referred to as serous

membrane

Serous Membrane - covers organs and reduces friction; also referred to as serosa

Spinal Cavity - division of the dorsal cavity that houses the spinal cord; also referred to as

vertebral cavity

Superficial - position nearer to the surface of the body

Superior - position above or higher than another part of the body; referred to as cranial

Systemic Anatomy - study of the structures that contribute to specific body systems

Thoracic Cavity - division of anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the heart, lungs, esophagus,

and trachea

Tissue - group of similar or closely related cells that act together to perform a specific function

Transverse Plane - 2-dimensional, horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior

and inferior portions

Ventral - front or direction towards the front of the body; also referred to as anterior

Ventral Cavity - anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-

lined pleural cavities for the lungs, pericardial cavity for the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the

abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as anterior body cavity

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