Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
Define physiology
The science of the normal functions and phenomena of living things
Define anatomy
The science that deals with structure of the bodies of humans
Plane
An imaginary flat surface that passes through the body
Section
One of two surfaces when a plane divides the body
Define superior
Towards the head, or upper part of a structure
Define inferior
Away from head, or the lower part of a structure
Define anterior
Nearer to or at the front of the body
Define posterior
Nearer to or at the back of the body
Define medial
Nearer to the midline or midsagittal plane
Define proximal
Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk; nearer to the point of origin or the beginning
Define lateral
Farther from the midline or midsagittal plane
Define distal
Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the point of origin or the beginning
Define superficial
Towards or on the surface of the body
Define deep
Away from the surface of the body
What is a sagittal plane?
A vertical plane that divides the body or an organ into right and left sides
What is a midsagittal plane!
A vertical line that divides the body or an organ into equal right and left sides
What is a parasagittal plane?
A vertical line that divides the body or an organ into unequal left and right sides
What is a frontal plane?
A vertical line that divides the body or an organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions
What is a transverse plane?
A horizontal line that divides the body or an organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions
What is an oblique plane?
A straight line that passes through the body or an organ at an angle between the transverse plane and sagittal plane, or between the transverse plane and frontal plane
What is the cranial cavity?
Area formed by cranial bones and contains the brain
What is the vertebral cavity!
Area formed by the vertebral column and contains spinal cord and beginnings of the spinal nerves
What is the thoracic cavity?
Chest cavity, containing the pleural and pericardial cavities, and the mediastinum
What is the pleural cavity?
Area that surrounds each lung, the serous membrane of the pleural cavities is the pleura
What is the pericardial cavity?
Area surrounding the heart, the serous membrane of the pericardial cavity is the pericardium
What is the mediastinum?
The central portion of the thoracic cavity between the lungs, extends from the sternum to the vertebral column, and from the neck to the diaphragm.
Contains the heart, thymus, oesophagus, trachea, and several large blood vessels
What is the abdominal cavity?
Area containing stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and mist of the large intestine.
The serous membrane of the abdominal cavity is the peritoneum
What is the pelvic cavity?
Area containing the urinary bladder, portions of the large intestine, and the internal organs of reproduction
