Term | Definition |
abdominal cavity | The space bounded by the abdominal walls, diaphragm, and pelvis and containing most of the organs of digestion, the spleen, the kidneys, and the adrenal glands. |
anterior or ventral | pertaining to or toward the front plane of the body, equivalent to the ventral surface of quadrupeds. |
blood system | includes blood and all its components. |
body cavity | are the spaces that hold organs |
cardiovascular | pertaining to or affecting the heart |
Cell | basic element in the human body |
connective tissue | fibrous substance that holds and connects body parts together. |
coronal plane | also known as frontal plane (divides the body into anterior and posterior front and back) |
cranial cavity | contains the brain |
deep | away from the surface |
diaphragm | the muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities |
digestive system | organs that digest and excrete waste make up |
distal | away from point of origin |
dorsal cavity | located on the back contains cranial and spinal cavity |
endocrine system | system that consists of the endocrine glands and the hormones that they secrete. |
epigastric region | the area around the stomach |
epithelial tissue | layer of cells forming the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous and serous membranes |
frontal plane | divides the body lengthwise into anterior and posterior portions (front and back) |
hypochondriac regions | region right below the cartilage of the ribs, immediately over the abdomen |
hypogastric region | area just below the umbilical region |
iliac or inguinal regions | regions near the upper portion of the hip bone |
inferior | below |
integumentary system | consists of the skin and the accessory structures deliver from it |
lateral plane | divides the body lenghth wise into right and left sides |
left lower quadrant | is the abdominal area that contains parts of the intestines and parts of reproductive organs in females |
left upper quadrant | the area of the abdomen that contains the stomach, spleen, and parts of the liver, pancreas, and intestines |
lumbar | left and right regions of the body in the back and sides between the lowest ribs and the pelvis |
lymphatic and immune | include the lymph, the glands and vessels |
medial | towards the middle of the body |
midsagittal plane | the plane is the imaginary line that divides the body into equal right and left halves |
musculoskeletal | the system that supports the body, protects organs, provides body movement, and includes muscles, bones, and cartilage |
nerve | tissue that carries messages to and from the brain and spinal cord from all parts of the body |
nervous system | regulates most body activities, sends and receives messages from the sensory organs. |
nervous tissue | tissue with a high degree of excitability and conductivity that makes up the nervous system. |
organ | structures of two or more tissue that work together to carry put a particular function |
pelvic cavity | space below the abdominal cavity |
posterior or dorsal | back of the body |
prone | laying face down |
proximal | closet to the point of origin |
reproductive system | system that controls the reproduction and heredity and is either male or female |
respiratory system | the system that includes the lungs and airways and performs breathing |
right lower quadrant | the abdominal area that contains the appendix, parts of the intestines and parts of the reproductive organs in females |
right upper quadrant | area of the abdomen that contains parts of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas and intestinal tract |
sagittal or lateral plane | divides the body length wise into right and left sides |
sensory system | covers the eyes and ears and those parts of other systems that are involved in the reactions of the five senses |
spinal cavity | formed by the vertebrae contains the spinal cord |
superficial | at or near the body's surface |
supine | laying on the back face up |
system | when a group of organs work together for a common purpose |
thoracic cavity | contains the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels |
tissue | are a group of cells with specialized functions. |
transverse (cross-sectional) plane | divides the body horizontally into upper and lower portions |
umbilical region | area surrounding the navel |
urinary system | the system that includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. |
ventral cavity | located on the front of the body |