Human Anatomy Flashcards
(151 cards)
1
Q
Anterior (ventral)
A
Toward the front
2
Q
Posterior (dorsal)
A
Toward the back
3
Q
Superior
A
Toward the head
4
Q
Inferior
A
Away from the head
5
Q
Medial
A
Toward the midline of the body
6
Q
Lateral
A
Away from the midline of the body
7
Q
Proximal
A
Toward the attached end of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
8
Q
Distal
A
Away from the attached end of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
9
Q
Superficial
A
External; located close to or on the body surface
10
Q
Deep
A
Internal; located further beneath the body surface than the superficial structures
11
Q
Cervical
A
Regional term refering to the neck
12
Q
Thoracic
A
Regional term refering to the portion of the body between the neck and the abdomen; also known as the chest (thorax)
13
Q
Lumbar
A
Regional term referring to the portion of the back between the abdomen and the pelvis
14
Q
Plantar
A
The sole or bottom of the feet
15
Q
Dorsal
A
The top surface of the hands or feet
16
Q
Palmar
A
The anterior or ventral surface of the hands
17
Q
Sagittal Plane
A
A longitudinal (imaginary) line that divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sections
18
Q
Frontal Plane
A
A longitudinal (imaginary) plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts; lies at a right angle to the sagittal plane
19
Q
Transverse Plane
A
Also known as the horizontal plane; an imaginary line that divides the body into superior and inferior sections
20
Q
Arthro
A
Joint
21
Q
Bi
A
Two
22
Q
Brachium
A
Arm
23
Q
Cardio
A
Heart
24
Q
Cephalo
A
Head
25
Chondro
Cartilage
26
Costo
Rib
27
Dermo
Skin
28
Hemo; Hemat
Blood
29
Ilio
Ilium
30
Myo
Muscle
31
Os, Osteo
Bone
32
Pulmo
Lung
33
Thoraco
Chest
34
Tri
Three
35
Anatomical Position
Standing erect with the feet and palms facing forward
36
Connective Tissues
The tissue that binds together and supports various structures of the body. Ligaments and tendons are connective tissue.
37
Epithelial Tissue
Tissue that covers the surface of the body and lines the body cavities, ducts, and vessels.
38
Digestion
The process of breaking down food into small enough units for absorption
39
Absorption
The uptake of nutrients across a tissue or membrane by the gastrointestinal tract
40
Esophagus
The food pipe; the conduit from the mouth to the stomach
41
Arteries (Artery)
A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to vital organs and the extremities
42
Capillaries
The smallest blood vessels that supply blood to the tissues, and the site of all gas and nutrient exchange in the cardiovascular system. They connect the arterial and venous systems
43
Veins
Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood toward the heart from vital organs and the extremities
44
Plasma
The liquid portion of blood
45
Hormone
A chemical substance produced and released by an endocrine gland and transported through the blood to a target organ
46
Carbohydrates
The body's preferred energy source. Dietary sources include sugars (simple), and grains, rice, potatoes, and beans (complex). Carbohydrate is stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver and is transported in the blood as glucose
47
Amino Acids
Nitrogen containing compounds that are the building blocks of protein
48
Lipids
The name for fats used in the body and bloodstream
49
Ions
A single atom or small molecule containing a net positive or negative charge due to an excess of either protons (positive) or electrons (negative)
50
Platelets
One of the disc-shaped components of the blood; involved in clotting
51
Arterioles
Small-diameter blood vessels that extend and branch out from an artery and lead to capellaries; the primary site of vascular resistance
52
Venules
Smaller divisions of veins
53
Aorta
The major artery of the cardiovascular system; arises from the left ventricle of the heart
54
Arteriosclerosis
A chronic disease in which thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arteral walls result in impaired blood circulation; develops with aging, and in hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions
55
Interstitial Fluid
Fluid between the cells or body parts
56
Ventricles
The two lower chambers of the heart (right and left venticles)
57
Atrium (Atria)
The two upper chambers of the heart (right and left atrium)
58
Pulmonary Circuit
The circulatory vessels of the lungs; involved in the circulation of the blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs and back to the left atrium of the heart
59
Systemic Circuit
The circulatory vessels of the body
60
Cardiac Cycle
The period from the beginning of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next heartbeat; the systolic and diastolic phases and the interval in between
61
Systole
The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle
62
Diastole
The period of filling of the heart between contractions; resting phase of the heart
63
Pharynx
The muscular, membranous tube extending from the base of the skull to the esophagus
64
Larynx
The organ of the voice; located between the trachea and the base of the tongue
65
Trachea
The cartilaginous and membranous tube extending from the larynx to the bronchi; windpipe
66
Bronchi
The two large branches of the trachea leading into the lungs
67
Alveoli
Spherical extensions of the respiratory bronchioles and the primary sites of gas exchange with the blood
68
Bronchioles
The smallest tubes that supply air to the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs
69
Mediastinum
The portion of the thoracic cavity between the lungs
70
Inspiration
The drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation
71
Thorax
The portion of the trunk above the diaphragm and below the neck
72
Expiration
The act of expelling air from the lungs; exhalation
73
Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
A long hollow tube from mouth to anus where digestion and absorption occur
74
Chemical Digestion
A form of digestion that involves the addition of enzymes that break down nutrients
75
Lymphatic System
A network of lymphoid organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, lymphatic tissues, lymph capillaries, and lymph vessels that produces and transports lymph fluid from tissues to the circulatory system
76
Anus
The end point of the gastrointestinal tract through which semisolid waste is passed from the body
77
Epiglottis
The cartilage in the throat that guards the entrance to the trachea and prevents fluid or food from entering it during the act of swallowing
78
Peristalsis
The process by which muscles in the esophagus and intestines push food through the gastrointestinal tract in a wave-like motion
79
Chyme
The semiliquid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum
80
Pyloric Sphincter
Separates the stomach from the small intestine
81
Vitamin
An organic micronutrient that is essential for normal physiological function
82
Mineral
Inorganic substances needed in the diet in small amounts to help regulate bodily functions
83
Bolus
A food and saliva digestive mix that is swallowed and then moved through the digestive tract
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Duodenum
The top portion of the small intestine
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Jejunum
One of three segments of the small intestine
86
Ileum
One of three sections of the small intestine
87
Bile
A greenish-yellow or brownish emulsifier that perpares fats and oils for digestion; produced in and secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the small intestine
88
Microvilli
Tiny hairlike projections on each cell of every villus that can trap nutrient particles and transport them into the cells for absorption
89
Villi
Finger-like projections from the folds of the small intestines
90
Cardiac Sphincter
Sits at the upper portion of the stomach; prevents food and stomach acid from splashing back into the esophagus from the stomach; also called the esophageal sphincter
91
Colon
The lower portion of the large intestine, the primary function of which is to absorb water; its segments are the ascending colon, the transverse colon, and the sigmoid colon
92
Electrolyte
A mineral that exists as a charged ion in the body ans that is extremely important for normal celluar function.
93
Glucose
A simple sugar; the form in which all carbohydrates are used as the body's principal energy source
94
Hemopoiesis
The formaition of blood cells
95
Articulation
A joint
96
Cortical Bone
Compact, dense bone that is found in the shafts of long bones and the vertebral endplates
97
Trabecular Bone
Spongy or cancellous bone composed of thin plates that form a honeycomb pattern; predominately found inthe ends of long bones and the vertebral bodies
98
Tendon
A band of fibrous tissue forming the termination of a muscle and attaching the muscle to a bone
99
Osteoporosis
A disorder, primarily affecting postmenopausal women, in which bone density decreases and susceptibility to fractures increases
100
Diaphysis
The shaft of a long bone
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Proximal
Nearest to the midline of the body or point of origin of a muscle
102
Distal
Farthest from the midline of the body, or from the point of origin of a muscle
103
Epiphysis
The end of a long bone, usually wider than the shaft (plural: epiphyses)
104
Endosteum
A soft tissue lining the internal surface of the diaphysis on a long bone
105
Epiphyseal Cartilage
Cartilaginous layer between the head and shaft of a long bone where bone growth occurs. Also called a growth plate
106
Periosteum
A double-layered connective tissue sheath surrounding the outer surface of the daiphysis of a long bone; serves to cover and nourish the bone
107
Osteoblast
A bone-forming cell
108
Osteoclast
A cell that reabsorbs or erodes bone mineral
109
Wolff's Law
A principle stating that bone is capable of increasing its strength in response to stress (e.g. exercise) by laying down more bone
110
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord
111
Ligament
A strong, fibrous tissue that connects one bone to another
112
Axis of Rotation
The imaginary line or point about which an object, such as a joint, rotates
113
Sagittal Plane
The longitudinal plane that divides the body into right and left portions
114
Frontal Plane
A longitudinal section that runs at a right angle to the sagittal plane, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions
115
Transverse Plane
Anatomical term for the imaginary line that divides the body, or any of its parts, into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts. Also called the horizontal plane
116
Circumduction
A biplanar movement involving the sequential combination of flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction
117
Flexion
The act of moving a joint so that the two bones forming it are brought closer together
118
Extension
The act of straightening or extending a joint, usually applied to the muscular movement of a limb
119
Abduction
Movement away from the midline of the body
120
Adduction
Movement toward the midline of the body
121
Pronation
Internal rotation of the forearm causing the radius to cross diagonally over the ulna and teh palm to face posteriorly
122
Supination
External rotation of the forearm (radioulnar joint) that causes the palm to face anteriorly
123
Inversion
Rotation of the foot to direct the plantar surface inward
124
Eversion
Rotation of the foot to direct the plantar surface outward
125
Peripheral Nervous System
The parts of the nervous system that are outside the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system)
126
Ganglia
A group of nerve cell bodies usually located in the peripheral nervous system
127
Foramina
Holes or openings in a bone or between body cavaties
128
Fascia
Strong connective tissues that perform a number of functions, including developing and isolating the muscles of the body and providing structural support and protection. Plural = Fasciae
129
Somatic Nervous System
Division of the peripheral nervous sstem that conducts signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system (efferent signals) and signals from the central nervous system to skeletal muscles (afferent signals)
130
Autonomic Nervous System
The part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary body functions, including the activity of the cardiac muscle, smooth muscles, and glands. It has two divisions; the sympathetic nervous systems and teh parasympathetic nervous system
131
Sympathetic Nervous System
A branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for mobilizing the body's energy and resources during times of stress and arousal. Opposes the physiological effects of the parasympathetic nervous system (e.g. reduces digestive secretions, speeds the heart, contracts blood vessels)
132
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that is involved in regulating the routine functions of the body, such as heartbeat, digestion, and sleeping. Opposes the physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system (e.g. stimulates digestive secretions, slows the heart, constricts the pupils, dilates blood vessels)
133
Dendrite
The portion of a nerve fiber that transmits impulses toward a nerve cell body; receptive portion of a nerve cell
134
Axon
A nerve fiber that conducts a nerve impulse away from the neuron cell body; efferent nerve fiber
135
Synapse
The region of communication between neurons
136
Myelin
The fatty insulation of nerve fibers that is important for the conduction of nerve impulses. These fibers are damaged in individuals with multiple sclerosis
137
Neuromuscular Junction
The site at which a motor neuron transmits information to a muscle fiber
138
Proprioception
Sensation and awareness of body postition and movements
139
Proprioceptors
Somatic sensory receptors in muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and skin that gather information about body position and the direction and velocity of movement
140
Pacinian Corpuscle
A specialized bulblike mechanoreceptor located in the subcutaneous tissue of teh skin responsible for detecting pressure; occur abundantly in the skin of palms, soles, and joints
141
Meissner's Corpuscle
A specialized mechanoreceptor located in the superficial aspect of the skin responsible for detecting light touch; occur abundantly in the skin of the fingertips, palms, soles, lips, tongue, and face
142
Golgi-Mazzoni Corpuscle
A specialized mechanoreceptor located in the joint capsule responsible for detecting joint compression. And weightbearing activity stimulates these receptors
143
Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO)
A sensory organ with a tendon that, when stimulated, causes an inhibition of the entire muscle group to protect against too much force
144
Muscle Spindle
The sensory organ within a muscle that is sensitive to stretch and thus protects the muscle against too much stretch
145
Autogenic Inhibition
An automatic reflex relaxation caused by stimulation of the Golgi tendon organ (GTO)
146
Antagonist
The muscle that acts is opposition to the contraction produced by an agonist (prime mover) muscle
147
Reciprocal Inhibition
The reflex inhibition of the motor neurons of antagonists when the agonists are contracted
148
Static Stretching
Holding a nonmoving (static) position to immobilize a joint in a position that places the desired muscles and connective tissues passively at their greatest possible length
149
Dynamic Stretching
Type of streching that involves taking the joints through their ranges of motion while continously moving. Often beneficial in warming up for a particular sport or activity that involves the same joint movements
150
Agonist
The muscle directly responsible for observed movement; also called the prime mover
151
Vestibular System
Part of the central nervous system that coordinates reflexes of the eyes, neck, and body to maintain equilibrium in accordance with posture and movement of the head
