Anatomy Vocabulary

superior (cranial)
toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above
inferior (caudal)
away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below
ventral (anterior)
toward or at the front of the body; in front of
dorsal (posterior)
Toward or at the back of the body; behind
medial
toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of
lateral
away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
intermediate
between a more medial and a more lateral structure
proximal
closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
distal
farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
superficial
toward or at the body surface
deep (internal)
away from the body surface; more internal
anatomical position
erect, feet forward, arms at side with palms facing forward, head facing forward, internationally known
directional terms
allow us to explain where one body structure is in relation to another
sagittal
a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts
midsagittal
sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline
frontal planes (coronal plane)
like sagittal plane lie vertically, divide body into anterior and posterior parts
transverse/horizontal Plane
divides the body into superior and inferior parts.
dorsal body cavity
protects the fragile nervous system organs, has 2 subdivisions
cranial cavity
in the skull, encases the brain
vertebral cavity (spinal cavity)
runs within the bony vertebral column, encloses the delicate spinal cord
ventral body cavity
the more anterior and larger of the closed body cavities, has 2 major subdivisions, houses internal organs called Viscera
thoracic cavity
surrounded by the ribs and muscles of the chest
abdominal cavity
Contains stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver, and other organs
pelvic cavity
Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum
anatomy
the study of structure
physiology
the study of function at many levels
levels of structural organization
chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system and organismal level
cavity where brain is located
cranial cavity
cavity where spinal cord is located
vertebral cavity
cavity that contains the heart and lungs
thoracic cavity
between the thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity
diaphragm
cavity that contains the urinary bladder, reproductive organs and rectum
pelvic cavity
dorsal body cavity
cranial and vertebral cavity
ventral body cavity
thoracic and abdominal pelvic cavities
cytology
study of cells
histology
study of tissues
antagonistic movement of flexion
extension
antagonistic movement of abduction
adduction
antagonistic movement of inversion
eversion
Integumentary System
the external covering of the body, or the skin<br><br>Functions: waterproofs the body, protects deeper tissue, helps regulate body temperature
Skeletal System
consists of bones, cartilages, ligaments, and joints<br><br>Functions: supports the body, provides framework, causes movement
Muscular System
the muscles of the body; skeletal muscles for the muscular system<br><br>Functions: to contract or shorten, for movement to occur
Nervous System
the body's fast-acting control system. Consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors<br><br>Functions: sensory receptors detect stimuli from outside and inside the body, and send these messages to the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) so that it is informed about what is going on
Endocrine System
control body activities; endocrine glands produce chemical molecules called hormones and release them into the blood to travel to relatively distant target organs.
Cardiovascular System
the primary organs of this system are the heart and blood vessels<br><br>Functions: carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other substances to and from the tissue cells where exchanges are made
Lymphatic System
complements that of the cardiovascular system<br><br>Functions: picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood, houses white blood cells
Respiratory System
Role is to keep the body supplied with oxygen and to remove carbon dioxide
Digestive System
a tube running through the body from mouth to anus. Organs include oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and rectum.<br><br>Functions: break down food and deliver the products to the blood for dispersal to the body cells
Urinary System
removes the nitrogen containing wastes from the blood and flushes them from the body in urine. This system is composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.<br><br>Other Functions: maintains body's water and salt (electrolyte) balance, and regulating the acid-base balance of the blood
Reproductive System
exists primarily to produce offspring.<br><br>Males: Testes produce sperm. Scrotum, penis, accessory glands, and the duct system<br><br>Females: Ovaries produce eggs. Consists of uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina
abdominal
Anterior body trunk inferior to the ribs
antebrachial
forearm
axillary
armpit
brachial
arm
buccal
cheek area
carpal
wrist
cervical
neck region
coxal
hip
crural
leg
digital
fingers, toes
femoral
thigh
frontal
forehead
inguinal
area where thigh meets body trunk; groin
mental
chin
nasal
nose area
oral
mouth
orbital
eye area
patellar
anterior knee
pelvic
area overlying the pelvis anteriorly
pubic
genital region
sternal
breastbone area
tarsal
ankle region
thoracic
chest
umbilical
navel
cephalic
head
gluteal
buttock
lumbar
area of back between ribs and hips, the loin
occipital
posterior surface of head or base of skull
popliteal
posterior knee area
sacral
area between hips
scapular
shoulder blade region
vertebral
area of spinal column
plantar
sole of the foot
pedal
foot
temporal
side of head
otic
relating to the ear