Term | Definition |
Anatomy | The study of the structure of the human body |
Physiology | The study of the function of the human body |
Homeostasis | Is the attempt to maintain a stable internal environment |
Metabolism | Is the sum total of all the chemical processes in the human body |
Anabolism | Is the portion of metabolism associated with taking in energy |
Catabolism | is the portion of metabolism associated with breaking down and releasing stored energy |
Atom | basic unit of matter |
Molecules | are formed when two or more unstable atoms join together |
Macromolecules | formed when small molecules combine together to form a larger molecule |
Organelles | are specialized structures, made of macromolecules, which carry out important functions within the cell of the human body |
Cells | are the basic units of life |
Tissues | are the same types of cells attached/working together |
Organs | are made of several different types of tissues/ are major supporting structures within the human body |
Organ Systems | are groups of related organs working together |
Organism | made up of all 11 organ systems working together |
Integumentary System | Major Organs: skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, sebaceous glands
Major Functions: protects tissues, regulates body temperature, support sensory receptors |
Skeletal System | bones, ligaments, cartilages
provides framework, protects soft tissues, provides attachments for muscles, produces blood cells, stores inorganic salts |
Muscular System | muscles
causes movement, maintains posture, produces body heat |
Nervous System | brain, spinal cord, nerves, sense organs
detects changes, receive and interpret sensory information, stimulate muscles and glands |
Endocrine System | glands that secrete hormones (pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, tested, pineal and thymus)
controls metabolic activities of body structures |
Cardiovascular System | heart, arteries, capillaries and veins
move blood through blood vessels and transports substances throughout the body |
Anatomical Position | the term used to have a common way of visualizing the human body. standing erect, facing forward, arms fully extended and downward at the sides of the body, and with palms facing forwards. |
Superior | meaning a part is above another part |
Inferior | meaning a part is below another part |
Anterior | (ventral) meaning towards the front |
Posterior | (dorsal) meaning towards the back |
Medial | referring to an imaginary midline dividing the body into equal left and right halves |
Lateral | meaning towards the side, away from the midline |
Bilateral | refers to paired structures, one on each side |
Ipsilateral | refers to structures on the same side |
Contralateral | refers to structures on the opposite side |
Proximal | describes a part closer to a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part |
Distal | the opposite of proximal. It means a particular body part is farther away from a point of attachment to the trunk. |
Superficial | meaning near the surface |
Deep | describes more internal parts |
Sagittal | refers to the lengthwise cut that divides the body into right and left portions |
Median (Midsagittal) | a sagittal section that passes through the midline and divides the body into equal parts |
Parasagittal | a sagittal section lateral (away from) to the midline |
Transverse | (horizontal) refers to a cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions (top and bottom) |
Frontal | (coronal) refers to a section that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions (front and back) |
Abdominal | |
Acromial | point of the shoulder |
Antebrachial | forearm |
Antecubital | anterior surface of the elbow |
Axillary | armpit |
Brachial | arm |
Buccal | cheek |
Carpal | wrist |
Celiac | abdomen |
Cephalic | head |
Cervical | neck |
Costal | ribs |
Coxal | hip |
Crural | leg |
Cubital | elbow |
digital | finger or toe |
Dorsal | back |
Femoral | thigh |
Frontal | forehead |
Genital | external reproductive organs |
Gluteal | buttocks |
Groin | depressed region of the abdominal wall near the thigh (inguinal) |
Lumbar | region of the lower back between ribs and pelvis (loin) |
Mammary | breast |
Mental | Chin |
Nasal | nose |
Occipital | inferior posterior region of the head |
Oral | mouth |
Orbital | eye cavity |
Otic | Ear |
Palmar | palm of the hand |
Patellar | anterior part of the knee |
Pectoral | anterior chest |
Pedal | foot |
Pelvic | pelvis |
Perineal | the inferior most region of the trunk between the thighs and the buttocks |
Plantar | sole of the foot |
Popliteal | area posterior to the knee |
Sacral | posterior region between the hip bones |
Sternal | middle of the thorax, anteriorly |
Sural | calf of the leg |
Tarsal | ankle |
Umbilical | navel |
Vertebral | spinal column |
Abdominal | region between the thorax and pelvis |
Ventral Body Cavity | body cavity towards the front |
Dorsal Body Cavity | body cavity towards the back |
Protons | |
| positively charged, locates in nucleus |
Electrons | negatively charged, located in the orbital path surrounding the nucleus |
Neutrons | neutrally charged, located in nucleus |
Carbohydrates | organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms |
Lipids | non polar molecules that are hydrophobic (water fearing) in nature. including fats, oils and waxes |
Proteins | organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen |
Nucleic Acids | organic molecules that include both DNA and RNA |
Nucleus | regulates cellular metabolism and stores the majority of DNA within a cell |
Flagella | large whip like structures that are used to allow some cells to move independently |
Cillia | |
| numerous small hair like structures that are involved in movement |