Intro to Anatomy vocab

Anatomy

the science of the structure of living organisms

Responsiveness

The ability to sense changes in the environment and react to them

Digestion

The process by which the body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules

sagittal plane

The longitudinal plane that divides the body

Homeostasis

a state of body equilibrium or stable internal environment of the body

dorsal cavity

contains the brain and spinal cord

ventral cavity

thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity

Physiology

the study of how the body and its parts work or function

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that occur within an organism

Excretion

Process by which metabolic wastes are eliminated from the body

transverse plane

divides the body into superior and inferior parts

anatomical position

erect, feet forward, arms at side with palms facing forward, head facing forward

coronal plane

An imaginary plane where the body is cut into front and back parts.

abdominopelvic cavity

Part of the ventral cavity that contains the abdominal and pelvic cavities.