Term | Definition |
Anatomy | the study of the form and structure of the body |
Physiology | the study of how the body functions |
Microscopic anatomy | the study of cells and tissues that require a microscope to see |
Macroscopic anatomy | the study of structures that can be seen with the unaided eye. also known as gross anatomy |
Sagittal plane | the plane that divides the body into left and right (not always equal) halves |
Median plane | the plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves |
Transverse plane | the plane that divides the body into head and tail sections |
Dorsal plane | the plane that divides the body into back and belly sections |
Cranial | meaning towards the head |
Caudal | meaning towards the tail |
Rostral | meaning used on the head region to refer to parts of the head closest to the nose |
Dorsal | closer to the back |
Ventral | closer to the belly |
Lateral | away from the median plane |
Medial | towards the median plane |
Superficial | close to the surface |
Deep | far from the surface |
Plantar | the surface of the rear paw that touches the ground |
Palmar | the surface of the front paw that touches the ground |
Bilateral symmetry | when the left and right side of an organism is an equal mirror image |
Radial symmetry | when an organism's symmetry is based around a central point |
Dorsal body cavity | the body cavity that contains the cranial and spinal cavity |
Cranial cavity | formed of the skull and contains the brain |
Spinal cavity | formed of the vertebra and contains the spinal cord |
Ventral body cavity | the body cavity that contains the thoracic and abdominal cavity |
Thoracic cavity | the body cavity that contains the heart, lungs, esophagus, and major blood vessels |
Pleura | the thin membrane that covers the thorax and the organs within |
Abdominal cavity | the body cavity that contains the reproductive, urinary, and gastrointestinal systems |
Peritoneum | the thin membrane that covers the abdomen and the organs within |
Taxonomy | the systematic classification and naming of organisms |
Cell | the most basic form of life |
Tissue | a group of similar cells that serve a common function |
Organs | groups of tissues that have a common function |
Organ systems | groups of organs with related functions that interact |
Carpus | Knee bone of horse, equivalent to wrist in humans |
Tarsus | equivalent to human ankle |
Homeostasis | the maintenance of a dynamic equilibrium in the body |
Histology | the study of microscopic structure and composition of tissues |
Histopathology | the study of healthy and diseased tissue |
Epithelial tissue | a collection of tissues that cover and protect body surfaces |
Connective tissue | binds cells and structures together and supports the body |
Muscle tissue | controls movement |
Nervous tissue | transmits information around the body |