Chapter 1: The Human Body Flashcards
Anatomy
the study of the structure of the human body (AKA morphology: the science of form)
Physiology
the study of body function
Gross anatomy
the study of body structures that can be examined by the naked eye (i.e. bones, muscles, lungs)
Regional anatomy
all structures in a single body region are examined as a group (i.e. abdomen, head, etc.)
Systemic anatomy
all organs with related functions are studied (i.e. muscular system, skeletal system). Best for relating structure to function!
Surface anatomy
the study of shapes and markings (landmarks) on the surface of the body that reveal the underlying organs. (Ex. clinicians use it to locate blood vessels for places catheters, drawing blood, etc.)
What structures does microscopic anatomy deal with?
cells, cell parts, groups of cells/tissues, microscopic details of body organs
Developmental anatomy
traces the structural changes that occur in the body throughout the life span & the effects of aging
Embryology
the study of how body structures form & develop before birth
Pathological anatomy
studies the structural changes in cells, tissues & organs caused by disease
Radiographic anatomy
studies internal body structures by means of X-ray & other imaging techniques
Axial region
head, neck & trunk
Trunk region
thorax (chest), abdomen, pelvis, perineum
Appendicular region
limbs / appendages / extremities
Superior (cranial)
toward the head or upper part of a structure or the body; above
Ex. The head is superior to the abdomen.
Inferior (caudal)
Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below
Ex. The navel is inferior to the nose.
Anterior (ventral)
Toward or at the front of the body; in front of
Ex. The breastbone is anterior to the spine.
Posterior (dorsal)
Toward or at the back of the body; behind
Ex. The heart is posterior to the breastbone
Medial
Toward or at the mid-line of the body; on the inner side of
Ex. The heart is medial to the arm
Lateral
Away from the mid-line of the body; on the outer side of
Ex. The arms are lateral to the chest
Proximal
Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Ex. The elbow is proximal to the wrist
Distal
Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Ex. The knee is distal to the thigh
Superficial (external)
Toward or at the body surface
ex. the skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles
Deep (internal)
Away from the body surface
ex. The lungs are deep to the skin
Ipsilateral
On the same side
ex. The right hand and right foot are ipsilateral
Contralateral
On opposite sides
ex. The right hand and left foot are contralateral.
abduct
to draw away from the median line or axis
adduct
to draw toward the median line or axis
aveolus
pit, sac, or socket, “a hollow”
articulate
a joining as in a joint; to bind or make tight
bifurcate
to divide into two branches - “fork”
canal
tubular channel comprised of the same tissue through which it travels
condyle
knob or rounded eminence that articulates (joins) with another bone
crista
narrowing projecting ridge of a bone, “crest”
afferent
nerve fiber or blood vessel the “carries toward” a structure or organ
efferent
nerve fiber or blood vessel that “carries away” from a structure or organ
fissure
narrow opening or slit in the bone
foramen
opening or hole in a bone or membrane, “door”
fossa
shallow longitudinal depression of a surface, “dig”
fovea
small concave, cup-shaped depression in bone that articulates with another bone, “pit”
frontal / coronal plane
divides organs into anterior (ventral) & posterior (dorsal) halves
head
round portion of the proximal end of a bone that articulates with another bone
meatus
canal or passageway through a bone or organ
parietal
referring to the perimeter of the body or of a cavity, “wall”
process
prominence of a bone that projects from the main mass
prone
lying with the face and palms downward
sagittal
the plane that divides organs into right and left halves, “arrow”
sinus
hollow cavity, passage or recess in a bone or vessel
spin
bony process that is sharp & narrow
supine
lying with the face and palms upward
transverse
horizontal plane or cross section that divides organs into superior and inferior parts
trochanter
one of two bony processes of the femur for muscle attachment
tubercle
small knobby prominence on a bone
tuberosity
roughened, large prominence on a bone for muscle attachment
viscera
referring to internal organs or viscera
vascular
having a blood supply, “vessels”
