Chapter 1 Key Terms

Question 1

Study of the larger structures of the body, typically with the unaided eye; also referred to macroscopic anatomy

Answer 1

Gross Anatomy

Question 2

Study of very small structures of the body using magnification

Answer 2

Microscopic Anatomy

Question 3

Science that studies the form and composition of the body’s structures

Answer 3

Anatomy

Question 4

study of the structures that contribute to specific body regions

Answer 4

Regional anatomy

Question 5

study of the structures that contribute to specific body systems

Answer 5

Systemic Anatomy

Question 6

science that studies the chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of the body’s functions

Answer 6

Physiology

Question 7

steady state of body systems that living organisms maintain

Answer 7

Homeostasis

Question 8

smallest independently functioning unit of all organisms; in animals, a cell contains cytoplasm, composed of fluid
and organelles

Answer 8

Cell

Question 9

group of similar or closely related cells that act together to perform a specific function

Answer 9

Tissue

Question 10

functionally distinct structure composed of two or more types of tissues

Answer 10

Organ

Question 11

group of organs that work together to carry out a particular function

Answer 11

Organ system

Question 12

living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions
necessary for life

Answer 12

Organism

Question 13

sum of all of the body’s chemical reactions

Answer 13

Metabolism

Question 14

assembly of more complex molecules from simpler molecules

Answer 14

Anabolism

Question 15

breaking down of more complex molecules into simpler molecules

Answer 15

Catabolism

Question 16

Every cell in your body makes use of this chemical compound to store and release energy

Answer 16

adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Question 17

ability of an organisms or a system to adjust to changes in conditions

Answer 17

Responsiveness

Question 18

changes an organism goes through during its life

Answer 18

Development

Question 19

process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function

Answer 19

Differentiation

Question 20

process of increasing in size

Answer 20

Growth

Question 21

process by which new organisms are generated

Answer 21

Reproduction

Question 22

chemical obtained from foods and beverages that is critical to human survival

Answer 22

Nutrient

Question 23

force exerted by a substance in contact with another substance

Answer 23

Pressure

Question 24

ideal value for a physiological parameter; the level or small range within which a physiological parameter such as blood pressure is stable and optimally healthful, that is, within its parameters of homeostasis

Answer 24

Set Point

Question 25

range of values around the set point that do not cause a reaction by the control center

Answer 25

Normal range

Question 26

homeostatic mechanism that tends to stabilize an upset in the body’s physiological condition by preventing an excessive response to a stimulus, typically as the stimulus is removed

Answer 26

Negative Feedback

Question 27

(also, receptor) reports a monitored physiological value to the control center

Answer 27

Sensor

Question 28

compares values to their normal range; deviations cause the activation of an effector

Answer 28

Control center

Question 29

organ that can cause a change in a value

Answer 29

Effector

Question 30

mechanism that intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition in response to a stimulus

Answer 30

Positive Feedback

Question 31

standard reference position used for describing locations and directions on the human body

Answer 31

Anatomical position

Question 32

face down

Answer 32

Prone

Question 33

face up

Answer 33

Supine

Question 34

larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane lined pleural cavities for the lungs, pericardial cavity for the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as ventral cavity

Answer 34

Anterior Cavity

Question 35

posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to as dorsal cavity

Answer 35

Posterior Cavity

Question 36

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also referred to as cranial

Answer 36

Superior

Question 37

describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also referred to as caudal

Answer 37

Inferior

Question 38

describes the side or direction toward the side of the body

Answer 38

Lateral

Question 39

describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body

Answer 39

Medial

Question 40

describes a position nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body

Answer 40

Proximal

Question 41

describes a position farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body

Answer 41

Distal

Question 42

describes a position nearer to the surface of the body

Answer 42

Superficial

Question 43

describes a position farther from the surface of the body

Answer 43

Deep

Question 44

in anatomy, a single flat surface of a three-dimensional structure that has been cut through

Answer 44

Section

Question 45

imaginary two-dimensional surface that passes through the body

Answer 45

Plane

Question 46

two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides

Answer 46

Sagittal Plane

Question 47

two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions

Answer 47

Frontal Plane

Question 48

two-dimensional, horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior portions

Answer 48

Transverse plane

Question 49

posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to the posterior body cavity

Answer 49

Dorsal cavity

Question 50

larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membranelined pleural cavities for the lungs, pericardial cavity for the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as anterior body cavity

Answer 50

Ventral cavity

Question 51

division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the brain

Answer 51

cranial cavity

Question 51

division of the dorsal cavity that houses the spinal cord; also referred to as vertebral cavity

Answer 51

spinal cavity

Question 52

division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea

Answer 52

thoracic cavity

Question 53

division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the abdominal and pelvic viscera

Answer 53

abdominopelvic cavity

Question 54

membrane that covers organs and reduces friction; also referred to as serosa

Answer 54

serous membrane

Question 55

serous membrane that lines the pleural cavity and covers the lungs

Answer 55

pleura

Question 56

sac that encloses the heart

Answer 56

pericardium

Question 57

serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and covers the organs found there

Answer 57

peritoneum

Question 58

form of high energy electromagnetic radiation with a short wavelength capable of penetrating solids and ionizing gases; used in medicine as a diagnostic aid to visualize body structures such as bones

Answer 58

X-ray

Question 59

medical imaging technique in which a computer-enhanced cross-sectional X-ray image is obtained

Answer 59

Computed tomography (CT)

Question 60

medical imaging technique in which a device generates a magnetic field to obtain detailed sectional images of the internal structures of the body

Answer 60

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 61

application of ultrasonic waves to visualize subcutaneous body structures such as tendons and organs

Answer 61

Ultrasonography

Question 62

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also referred to as superior

Answer 62

cranial