Life sciences Flashcards
Including microbiology and body systems
Regional anatomy
All structures in one area studied together. Eg muscles/bones/nerves in the leg.
Systemic anatomy
The study of the gross anatomy of bodily systems. Eg studying the heart and blood vessels of the cardiovascular system
Surface anatomy
Study of internal body structures in relation to the overlaying skin surface. Eg location of blood vessels/bones/muscles
Embryology
Study of developmental changes pre birth
Surface anatomy
Study of internal body structures in relation to the overlaying skin surface. Eg locating blood vessels, bones, muscles
Palpation
Examiner feels body surfaces with hands (pulse and heart rate determination)
Auscultation
Examiner listens to body sounds to evaluate the function of certain organs (listening to lungs/heart)
Percussion
Examiner taps on the body surface with their fingertips and listens to resulting echo
Prone body position
Face down
Supine body position
Face up
Superior direction
Direction towards the head/upper body
Inferior direction (caudal)
Direction away from the head/ towards the lower body parts. Eg the stomach is inferior to the heart.
Anterior direction (ventral)
Direction towards the front of the body (in front of). Eg the nose is anterior to the ears
Posterior (dorsal)
Direction towards the back of the body (behind). Eg the heart is posterior to the sternum
Medial (mesial)
Direction towards midline (centre) of body. Eg the ulna is on the medial side of the forearm.
Lateral
Direction away from the midline of the body. Eg the eyes are lateral to the bridge of the nose.
Intermediate
Between a more medial and more lateral structures. Eg the clavicle (shoulder bone) is intermediate between the sternum and the shoulder
Proximal
Closer to the origin body part/point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. Eg the elbow is proximal (closer to point of attachment) to the wrist.
Distal
Farther from the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. Eg the knee is distal (further from point of attachment) to the thigh
Superficial direction
Direction towards the body/skins surface. Eg the skin is superficial to the skeleton.
Deep direction
Direction away from the body surface (more internal). Eg the skeleton is deep to the skin.
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body. Eg the gallbladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral (both on the left)
Contralateral
On opposite sides of the body. Eg the ascending and descending colons are contralateral ( one on left one on right)
Parietal
Outer wall of a body cavity (organ/tissue)