Anatomy Intro Flashcards
Dissection
To cut open
Prosection
Carefully prepared dissections for the demonstration of anatomical structures
Fascia
Thin sheath of fibrous connective tissue enclosing a muscle or other organ
Foramen
An opening or hole, providing passage, especially through a bone
Fissure
A groove or tear between two structures
Fossa
Hollow or depressed area
Pleura
Membrane lining the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura) and covering the lungs (visceral pleura)
Bilateral
Paired structures having right and left members (e.g. the kidneys)
Unilateral
Structures occurring on one side only (e.g spleen)
Ipsilateral
Occurring on the same side of the body as another structure; The knee and foot of the same lower limb is considered ipsilateral, same side
Contralateral
Occurring on the opposite side of the body relative to another structure; the right hand is contralateral to the left hand
Superior
A structure nearer to the top of the cranium
Inferior
A structure nearer to the bottom of the feet
Cranial
Relates to the cranium and also used directionally toward the head
Caudal
Directionally toward the feet or tail/ coccyx
Medial
Near the median plane of body
Lateral
Away from the median plane of the body
Proximal
Contrasting positions that are near from the attachment of a limb
Distal
Contrasting positions that are further from the attachment of a limb
Anterior
Front
Ventral
Front
Posterior
Back
Dorsal
Back
Dorsum
Usually refers to the superior aspect of any part that protrudes anteriorly from the body, such as the dorsum of the tongue, nose, penis, or foot. It is also used to describe the posterior surface of the hand
Palmar Surface
Surface of the hand and fingers corresponding to the palm
Plantar Surface
Surface of the foot and toes corresponding to the sole
Rostral
Often used instead of anterior when describing parts of the brain (Lat. for beak); nearer the anterior part of the head (e.g. The frontal lobe of the brain is rostral to the cerebellum)
External
Outside of or farther from the center of an organ or cavity, independent of direction
Internal
Inside or closer to the center of an organ or cavity, independent of direction
Cells
The basic structural and functional unit of organisms; they can connect body parts, form lining of body cavities, gather information, and maintain homeostasis.
Tissue
A collection of cells with similar structure and function
Epithelia
The tissue of the skin
Connective tissue
Cartilage, blood, and bone
Muscle
A type of tissue; skeletal and smooth
Nervous tissue
Type of tissue
Cutaneous
A type of membrane; skin
Mucus
A type of membrane; lines the digestive, respiratory, and urogenital tracts)
Serous
A type of membrane; lines closed cavities such as heart sac (pericardium), thoracic wall (pleura), and abdominal pelvic viscera (peritoneum)
Organs
A collection of tissues and membrane that perform a specific function
Organ system
A collection of organs that perform a specific process (e.g. GI tract)
Coronal plane
Vertical planes passing through the body at right angles to the median plane, dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts
Frontal plane
Vertical planes passing through the body at right angles to the median plane, dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts
Sagittal plane
Vertical planes passing through the body parallel to the median plane, diving the left from the right
Median plane
The vertical anterioposterior plane passing longitudinally through the midlines of the head, neck, and trunk where it intersects the surface of the body, dividing it into right and left halves
Transverse plane
Horizontal planes passing through the body at right angles to the median and frontal planes, dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts
Axial plane
Horizontal planes passing through the body at right angles to the median and frontal planes, dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts
Anatomical position
Provides a standard reference point to describe the body, the location of structures, and the relationships between them. Position includes: face looking forward with forward gaze, arms adjacent to body and hands by side with palms facing forward, and feet together with toes pointed forward and lower limbs together
Supine
Lying on the back, face upward
Recumbent
Laying on the back, face upward
Prone
Laying on the abdomen, face downward
Superficial
Nearer to the surface
Intermediate
Between a superficial and a deep structure
Deep
Farther from the surface
Regional/topographical anatomy
Considers the organization of the human body as major parts or segments, which may then be further subdivided into areas or regions
Dermatomes
A region of skin that is innervated by one nerve level arising from the spinal cord
Flexion
Decreasing the angle between two structures as they bend or move closer together
Extension
Increasing the angle between two structures as they move further apart
Abduction
Any movement away from midline
Adduction
Any movement towards the midline
Lateral rotation
A rotating movement away from the midline
Medial rotation
A rotating movement towards the midline
Elevation
Movement in a superior direction
Depression
Movement in an inferior direction
Supination
Moving from a prone to supine position (primarily turning one’s hand from dorsum up to palm up)
Pronation
Moving from a supine position to a prone position (primarily moving one’s hand from palm up to dorsum up)
Dorsiflexion
Flexion at the ankle so that the foot points more superiorly
Plantarflexion
Extension at the ankle so that the foot points inferiorly
Inversion
Movement which occurs at the ankle joint by moving the soul towards the medial plane
Everion
Movement which occurs at the ankle joint by moving the soul away from the median plane
Opposition
Brings the thumb and little finger together
Reposition
Meant that moves the thumb and little finger away from each other
Circumduction
Conical movement of a limb extending from the joint at which the movement is controlled (a cone is formed as the extended limb moves in a circle)
Protraction
The anteriolateral movement of the scapula on the thoracic wall that allows the shoulder to move anteriorly (i.e. reaching out to something)
Retraction
The posteriomedial movement of the scapula on the thoracic wall which causes the shoulder region to move posteriorly (i.e. good posture)
Protrusion
The movement of a structure in an anterior direction (e.g. mandibular)
Retrusion
The movement of a structure in a posterior direction (e.g. mandibular)
Excursion
When the mandible moves to either the left or right. Lateral excursion is away from midline, medial excursion is towards midline
