Vocab Top Vocab

Anatomy – Study of body structure.

Physiology – Study of body function.

Metabolism – All chemical reactions in the body.

Water – Required for life processes.

Food – Provides nutrients and energy.

Oxygen – Gas needed for energy release.

Heat – Energy that regulates body reactions.

Pressure – Force needed for breathing and circulation.

Homeostasis – Stable internal environment.

Receptors – Detect changes in the body.

Control center – Processes information and directs response.

Set Point – Normal value for body condition.

Effectors – Muscles/glands that respond.

Negative Feedback – Reverses a change to restore balance.

Positive Feedback – Increases a change away from balance.

Axial – Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular – Limbs and attachments.

Cranial cavity – Holds the brain.

Vertebral canal – Holds the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity – Holds heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity – Holds abdominal and pelvic organs.

Pleural membranes – Around the lungs.

Pericardial membranes – Around the heart.

Peritoneal membranes – Around abdominal organs.

Superior – Above.

Inferior – Below.

Anterior – Front.

Posterior – Back.

Medial – Toward midline.

Lateral – Away from midline.

Bilateral – Paired on both sides.

Proximal – Closer to trunk.

Distal – Farther from trunk.

Superficial – Near surface.

Peripheral – Near the outer boundary.

Deep – Away from surface.

Sagittal – Divides left/right.

Transverse – Divides top/bottom.

Frontal – Divides front/back.