Anatomy Chapter 1 Test Terms

Human Anatomy & physiology - The study of the structure and functions of the human body

Anatomical position - the position the body is to be in for scientific study, standing erect or lying flat, arms to the side with palms facing forward

Intercellular fluid (extracellular fluid) - fluids and other substances found in between cells

Intracellular fluid - fluids and substances found within a cell

Homeostasis - having a stable/normal internal environment 

Receptors - ends of nerves that detect information about specific conditions in the internal environment

Effector - an organ or structure that cause responses that alter conditions in the internal environment

Metabolism - the sum of all chemical reactions that take place in the body at a given time

Vascular - Having blood vessels within the tissue

Avascular - not having blood vessels within the tissue

Aerobic reactions - reactions that take place using oxygen

Anaerobic reactions - reactions that take place without using oxygen

-ase - refers to an enzyme

-ose - refers to a sugar

-itis - refers to inflammation

-cyte - refers to cell

Chondrocyte - cartilage cell

Osteocyte - bone cell

Adipocyte - fat cell

Erythocyte - red blood cell

Leukocyte - white blood cell

Thrombocyte - platelet

Organelles - small structures inside a cell that carry out specific functions to keep the cell in homeostasis

Cell - the most basic unit of structure and function of all organisms 

Tissue - a group of cells similar in structure and function

Organ - structures within the body consisting of a group of tissues with a specialized function 

Sudoriferous gland - scientific name for sweat gland

Sebaceous gland - scientific name for oil gland 

Articulation (joint) - anywhere 2 or more bones come together usually allowing for movement (ex. Elbow, knee)

Ligament - a type of connective tissue that connects a muscle to a bone

Tendon - a type of connective tissue that connects a muscle to a bone

Hematopoiesis - the production of blood cells from driving stem cells in red bone marrow

Endocrine gland - a type of gland that secretes its substance directly into the blood stream

Exocrine gland - a type of gland that secretes its substance through a duct to the surface of a structure or body.

Superior - a body part is above another part

Inferior - a body part is below another part

Anterior (ventral) - “front”

Posterior (dorsal) - “back” 

Medial - refers to how close a body part is to the midline

Lateral - toward the side, away from midline

Bilateral - paired structures, one of which is on each side of the midline

Ipsilateral - structures on the same side

Contralateral - structures on opposite sides 

Proximal - describes a body part that is closer to a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part is. May refer to another reference point

Distal - a body part is farther from a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part is. May refer to another reference point

Superficial - situated near the surface 

Peripheral - outward or near the surface; describes blood vessels or nerves

Deep - describes parts that are more internal than superficial parts

Sagittal - lengthwise plane that divides the body into left and right portions

median (midsagittal) - a plane that passes along the midline and thus divides the body into equal parts

Parasagittal - a sagittal section lateral to midline

Transverse - a plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions

Frontal (coronal) - a plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions