anatomy
structure of an organism
physiology
the study of the functions of an organism
homeostasis
the relatively stable state of equilibrium of an organism and its parts
anatomical position
standard position in which the body is facing forward, feet are parallel, and the arms are at the sides with palms facing forward
pathology
the study of disease
negative feedback
mechanism of homeostasis that tends to stabilize a process by reducing its rate or output
positive feedback
mechanism of homeostasis feedback that tends to magnify a process or increase its output
frontal plane
plane that divides the body into front and back sections
transverse plane
plane that divides the body into top and bottome sections
sagittal plane
plane that divides the body into left and right sections
midsagittal plane
plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves
body cavity
a hollow place or space within the body or one of its organs
receptor
a sensory nerve ending that receives information about a stimulus
effector
an organ that produces a response based on information from the control center
control center
brain or spinal cord, where information from a stimulus is processed and a response generated
supine
lying on the back, palms and face upward
prone
lying on the stomach, palms and face downward
x-ray
image created by sending electromagnetic radiation through body parts, solid parts appear white
MRI
abbreviation for magnetic resonance imaging, uses a large circular magnet and radio waves to generate signals from atoms in the body creating images of internal structures
CAT Scan
abbreviation for computerized axial tomography, uses a computer and a rotating x-ray device to create detailed, cross-sectional images, or slices, of organs and body parts
ultrasound
sound waves pass through the body producing echoes, which can identify distance, size and shape of internal structures
abdominopelvic quadrant
two lines intersecting through the bellybutton creating four equal regions of the torso below the diaphragm
superior
above or on top
inferior
below or under
cranial
toward the head, a.k.a. cephalic
cephalic
toward the head, a.k.a. cranial
caudal
toward the tailbone
anterior
front, a.k.a. ventral
posterior
back, a.k.a. dorsal
ventral
stomach side
dorsal
back side
medial
toward the midline of the body
lateral
away from the midline of the body
proximal
toward the point of attachment or origin (used for limbs only)
distal
away from the point of attachment or origin (used for limbs only)
superficial
toward the skin or surface
deep
toward the internal organs or away from the surface
sural
region of the calf
gluteal
region of the buttocks
pelvic
region between the front of the hips
inguinal
region where legs attach to the torso
umbilical
region of the bellybutton
carpal
region of the wrist
digital
region of the fingers
pubic
region just above the genitals
metabolism
sum of all the chemical processes that build up and break down cells
organism
single living thing
organ system
organs working together to perform a specific function
organ
multiple tissues working together to perform a specific function
tissue
cells working together to perform a specific function
cell
living matter surrounded by a membrane
reproductive system
organ system which functions in creating offspring (penis and testes in males, ovaries, uterus, and vagina in females)
urinary system
organ system which functions in maintaining water balance and eliminating nitrogen wastes (kidneys, urinary tract)
digestive system
organ system which breaks down and absorbs nutrients (stomach, intestines, liver)
respiratory system
organ system that exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide (trachea, lungs, bronchi, alveoli)
lymphatic system
organ system that returns fluids that have escaped from cells to the blood and also assists with immunity (spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils)
cardiovascular system
organ system responsible for transporting gases, nutrients, and wastes through the blood (heart, blood vessels)
endocrine system
organ system that releases hormones to control metabolism (glands)
nervous system
organ system that receives and interprets stimuli and generates responses to effector organs (brain, spinal cord, nerves)
muscular system
organ system that creates movement (muscles, tendons)
skeletal system
organ system that provides protection and support for body parts (bones, cartilage, ligaments)
integumentary system
organ system that provides protection for the body (skin, hair, nails)
crural
region of the shin
orbital
region around they eye
axillary
region of the armpit
popliteal
region behind the knee
sacral
region of the tail bone
coxal
region of the hip bones
sternal
region of the breast bone
fibular
region of the outside of the lower leg
tarsal
region underneath the ankle
brachial
region of the upper arm
vertebral
region over the entire spine
thoracic
region of the rib cage
abdominal
region below the bellybutton
lumbar
region of the lower spine
antecubital
region of the front of the elbow
oral
region of the mouth
deltoid
region of the shoulder
femoral
region of the front of the thigh
patellar
region of the kneecap
scapular
region of the shoulder blade
occipital
region of the back of the head
buccal
region of the cheeks
nasal
region of the nose
cervical
region of the neck
acromial
region of the top of the shoulder