Anatomy_Key Terms_Ch1 Flashcards
anatomy
study of the structure of the human body
morphology
the science of form
physiology
study of body function
gross anatomy
the study of body structures that can be examined by the naked eye
dissection
cut apart
regional anatomy
all structures in a single body region are examined as a group
systemic anatomy
all the organs with related functions are studied together
surface anatomy
the study of shapes and markings (called landmarks) on the surface of the body that reveal the underlying organs
microscopic anatomy
the study of structures that are so small they can be seen only with a microscope
histology
tissue study, or microscopic anatomy
developmental anatomy
traces the structural changes that occur in the body throughout the life span and the effects of aging
embryology
study of how body structures form and develop before birth
pathological anatomy
structural changes in cells, tissues, and organs caused by disease
radiographic anatomy
the study of internal body structures by means of X-ray studies and other imaging techniques
functional morphology
explores the functional properties of body structures and assesses the efficiency of their design
tissue
group of cells and extracellular material that work together to perform a common function
organ
discrete structure made up of more than one tissue
organ system
organs that work closely together to accomplish a common purpose
organismal level
the result of all of the simpler levels working in unison to sustain life
anatomical position
A person stands erect with feet flat on the ground, toes pointing forward, and eyes facing forward. The palms face anteriorly with the thumbs pointed away from the body.
regional terms
names of specific body areas
axial region
consists of the head, neck, and trunk. The trunk is divided into the thorax (chest), abdomen, and pelvis; trunk includes the region around the anus and external genitals, called the perineum.
appendicular region
consists of the limbs, which are also called appendages or extremities
opposites: superior
opposites: inferior
opposites: anterior (ventral)
opposites: posterior (dorsal)
opposites: medial
opposites: lateral
opposites: superficial
opposites: deep
sagittal plane
extends vertically and divides the body into left and right parts
median plane
sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline, or midsaggittal plane
parasaggittal plane
sagittal plane offset from the midline
frontal (coronal plane)
extends vertically and divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
transverse (horizontal) plane
runs horizontally from right to left, dividing the body into superior and inferior parts, also called a cross section
oblique sections
cuts made along any plane that lies diagonally between the horizontal and the vertical