Question | Answer |
The study of how the body is put together and how it works in health and disease | Human Biology |
The science of the structure of the body--the appearance and relationships of the body parts. | Anatomy |
The parts of the body that we can see with our eyes. | Gross Anatomy/ Macroscopic Anatomy |
The parts of the body that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. | Microscopic Anatomy/ Cell Anatomy |
The study of how the body works. It describes the function of the body and its organs, tissues, and cells. | Physiology |
The systems of the body that we can see with our eyes. | Gross Physiology |
Concerns cell-level physiology. | Microscopic Physiology |
The study of human biology when the anatomy and/or the physiology is abnormal. | Pathology |
The body is straight up with palms up and thumbs are faced out. | Anatomic Position |
Divides the body into superior and inferior sections. | Transverse/ Horizontal Plane |
Above | Superior |
Below | Inferior |
Divides body into right and left sections. | Sagittal/Longitudinal Plane |
Divides the body into equal right and left sections. It's the midline of the body. | Midsagittal/Median Plane |
Divides the body into unequal right and left sections. | Parasagittal Plane |
Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections. | Coronal/Frontal Plane |
Front | Anterior |
Back | Posterior |
Towards the top of the head. | Cephalad |
Towards the soles of the feet. | Caudad |
Closer to the midsagittal plane or middle. | Medial |
Farther away from the midsagittal plane or middle. | Lateral |
In front of | Anterior |
In back of | Posterior |
On the belly side | Ventral |
On the back side | Dorsal |
Nearer to the center of the body or organ. | Proximal |
Farther away from the center of the body or organ. | Distal |
On or closer to the skin or surface of an organ. | Superficial |
Under or farther away from the skin or surface of an organ. | Deep |
Within or near the center. | Central |
At or near the rim or edge. | Peripheral |
The outer wall of a body cavity. | Parietal |
The covering of an organ. | Visceral |
Outside or closer to the skin or surface of an organ. | External |
Inside or farther away from the skin or surface of an organ. | Internal |
Situated on or affecting the same side of the body. | Ipsilateral |
Situated on or affecting the opposite side of the body. | Contralateral |
Carrying toward a body part or the center of an organ. | Afferent |
Carrying away from a body part or the center of an organ. | Efferent |
The study of the surface of the body. | Superficial Anatomy |
Lying flat on the back. | Supine |
Forehead | Frons |
Eye | Orbit |
Cheek | Bucca |
Neck | Cervix |
Collarbone | Clavicle |
Armpit | Axilla |
Chest | Thorax |
Rib and cartilage | Costochondral Margin |
Trunk | Abdomen |
Navel, bellybutton | Umbilicus |
Front pelvic bone | Pubis |
Thigh | Femur |
Kneecap | Patella |
Ankle | Talus |
Upper arm | Brachium |
Front of elbow | Antecubital Fossa |
Forearm | Antebrachium |
Wrist | Carpus |
Finger/toe | Digit |
Side from ribs to hip bone. | Flank |
Hip bone | Iliac crest |
Groin | Inguen |
Shin | Tibia |
Elbow | Cubitus |
Back of head | Occiput |
Neck | Cervix |
Shoulder blade | Scapula |
Upper back | Dorsum |
Lower back | Lumbus |
Spinal bones located between the buttocks | Sacrum |
Butttocks | Gluteus |
Back of knee | Popliteal fossa |
Calf | Sura |
Heel | Calcaneus |
Sole of foot | Plantar surface |
Frontal | Front/o |
Orbital | Orbit/o |
Buccal | Bucc/o |
Cervical | Cervic/o |
Clavicular | Clavicul/o |
Axillary | Axill/o |
Thoracic | Thorac/o |
Brachial | Brachi/o |
Carpal | Carp/o |
Digital | Digit/o |
Abdominal | Abdomin/o |
Umbilical | Umbilic/o |
Inguinal | Inguin/o |
Groin | Inguen |
Pubic | Pub/o |
Femoral | Femor/o |
Tibial | Tibi/o |
Patellar | Patell/o |
Talar | Tal/o |
Cubital | Cubit/o |
Occipital | Occipit/o |
Scapular | Scapul/o |
Dorsal | Dors/o |
Lumbar | Lumb/o |
Sacral | Sacr/o |
Gluteal | Glute/o |
Sural | Sur/o |
Calcaneal | Calcane/o |
Ad/ | Toward |
Af/ | Ad/ combined with F |
Afferent | To carry toward |
Anatomy | The science of the structure of the body |
Antero/ | Before |
Anterior | In front of |
Biology | The study of living things |
Caud/o | Cauda, tail |
Centr/o | Center |
Central | Relating to a center |
Corno/o | Corona, crown |
Coronal | Relating to the corona or crown |
Cytology | The study of cells |
Distal | Farther away from the center |
Dors/o | Dorsum, back |
Dorsal | Relating to the dorsum or back |
/e | Noun suffix |
Ef/ | Ex/combined with F |
Efferent | To carry away from |
Ex/, exo/ | Away from, without, outside |
External | Outer, outside |
/ferent | Bear, carry |
Histology | The study of tissue |
Ili/o | The ilium (hip bone) or iliac region |
Incision | To cut open |
Infer/o | Low, below |
Inferior | Below |
Internal | Within, inside |
Later/o | Lateral |
Lateral | Relating to or toward the side |
/ly (adverb) | In the style of |
Medi/o | Media |
Medial | Toward the middle or relating to the middle |
Midsagittal | Pertaining to the midline |
Morphology | The study of the form of body parts |
/on | Noun suffix |
Parasagittal | Relating to dividing the body into unequal right and left sections |
Pathology | The study of human biology when anatomy and/or physiology are abnormal |
Peripheral | At or near the rim or edge |
Pher/o | Support, bear |
Physiologically | Relating to physiology |
Physiologic | Normal function of the body |
Physiology | The study of how the body works |
Plane | Imaginary flat surfaces that pass through the body; transverse, sagittal, coronal |
Posterolateral | Behind and to one side |
Poster/o | Posterior |
Posterior | In back of |
Proxim/o | Proximal |
Proximal | Near to the center |
Sagittal | Relating to dividing the body into right and left sections |
Scop/o | Examine |
Inferior | Below |
Internal | Within, inside |
Later/o | Lateral |
Lateral | Relating to or toward the side |
/ly (adverb) | In the style of |
Medi/o | Media |
Medial | Toward the middle or relating to the middle |
Midsagittal | Pertaining to the midline |
Morphology | The study of the form of body parts |
/ion | Noun suffix |
Parasagittal | Relating to dividing the body into unequal right and left sections |
Pathology | The study of human biology when anatomy and/or physiology are abnormal |
Super/o | Above |
Superior | Above, upward |
Superomedial | Above the middle |
Superolateral | Above and to one side |
Transverse | Relating to dividing the body into superior and inferior sections |
Ventr/o | Ventral |
Ventral | Belly side |
Abdomen | Part of trunk between thorax and pelvis |
Antebrachium | Forearm, from elbow to wrist |
Axilla | Armpit |
Brachi/o | Brachium |
Brachium | Arm, from shoulder to elbow |
Bucc/o | Bucca |
Bucca | Cheek |
Calcane/o | Calcaneus |
Calcaneus | Heel |
Carp/o | Carpus |
Carpus | Wrist |
Cervix | Neck |
Clavicle | Collarbone |
Costal | Relating to rib |
Costochondral | Relating to rib and cartilage |
Cubit/o | Cubitus |
Cubitus | Elbow |
Deltoid | Triangular in shape |
Digit/o | Digit |
Digit | Finger or toe |
Epigastric | Relating to the epigastrium, the upper middle region of the abdomen |
Femor/o | Femur |
Femur | Thigh |
Flank | The side of the body from the ribs to the hip bone |
Fossa | A hollow or depressed area |
Frons | Forehead |
Front/o | Frons |
Glute/o | Gluteus |
gluteus | Buttock |
Hypochondriac | Relating to the upper lateral regions of the abdomen (right and left) |
Iliac crest | Hip bone |
Ilium | Superior portion of the hip bone |
Inguin/o | Inguen |
Inguen | Groin |
LLQ | Left lower quadrant |
Lumb/o | Lumbus |
Lumbar | Relating to the lumbus, the back between thorax and pelvis |
LUQ | Left upper quadrant |
Lymphadenopathy | Disease of the lymph nodes |
Occipit/o | Occiput |
Occiput | Back of head |
Orbit/o | Orbit |
Orbit | Eye |
Patell/o | Patella |
Patella | Kneecap |
Plantar surface | Sole of the foot |
Popliteal fossa | Back of knee |
Pretibial | Relating to in front of the tibia; the shin |
Prone | Lying with face down |
Pub/o | Pubis |
Pubis | Pelvic bone margin |
RLQ | Right lower quadrant |
RUQ | Right upper quadrant |
Sacr/o | Sacrum |
Sacrum | The upper portion of the back between the buttocks |
Scapul/o | Scapula |
Scapula | Shoulder blade |
Supine | Lying with face upward |
Tal/o | Talus |
Talus | Ankle |
Tars/o | Tarsus |
Tarsus | Broad flat surface; instep of foot or edge of eyelid |
Thoracic | Relating to the chest |
Thorax | Chest |
Tibi/o | Tibia |
Tibia | Shin bone |
Umbilic/o | Umbilicus |
Umbilicus | navel |
Front/o | Frontal |
Orbit/o | Orbital |
Bucc/o | Buccal |
Cervic/o | Cervical |
Clavicul/o | Clavicular |
Axill/o | Axillary |
Thorac/o | Thoracic |
Brachi/o | Brachial |
Carp/o | Carpal |
Digit/o | Digital |
Abdomin/o | Abdominal |
Umbilic/o | Umbilical |
Inguin/o | Inguinal |
Pub/o | Pubic |
Femor/o | Femoral |
Tibi/o | Tibial |
Patell/o | Patellar |
Tal/o | Talar |
Cubit/o | Cubital |
Occitpit/o | Occipital |
Scapul/o | Scapular |
Dors/o | Dorsal |
Lumb/o | Lumbar |
Glute/o | Gluteal |
Sur/o | Sural |
Calcane/o | calcaneal |
The spaces within the body that contain the various internal organs. | Body Cavities |
Subdivided into cranial and spinal cavities. | Dorsal Body Cavity |
the space inside the skull that contains the brain. | Cranial Cavity |
the cavity formed by the vertebrae, and it contains the spinal cord and the beginning of the spinal nerves. | Spinal Canal |
the opening of the occipital bone that interconnects the cranial cavity and spinal cord. | Foramen Magnum |
the hollow space towards the front of the body that contains the organs of the circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems. | Ventral Body Cavity |
the upper portion of the ventral cavity that contain the major organs of the circulatory and respiratory systems. | Thoracic Cavity |
a mass of tissue between the lungs extending from the sternum to the vertebral column. | Mediastinum |
The cavity that encloses the heart. | Pericardial Cavity |
The cavities containing the lungs. | Pleural Cavities |
A dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities. | Muscular Diaphragm |
The hollow space within the trunk that holds the abdominal and pelvic organs. | Abdominopelvic Cavity |
The upper portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, which contains the gallbladder, liver, spleen, stomach, small intestine, most of the large intestine, kidney, pancreas and the ureters. | Abdominal Cavity |
The lower portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, which contains the bladder, colon, rectum and the internal reproductive organs. | Pelvic Cavity |
Are layers of tissues that cover organ surfaces, line body cavities and form tubes. | Membranes |
Membranous tissue that covers internal surfaces of the body, which include cutaneous membrane, mucous membrane and serous membrane. | Epithelial Membranes |
The outer layer of the skin. | Cutaneous Membrane |
The surface, or outer layer of the skin, that dries to a tough, nonliving, keratinized layer of squamous cells that waterproofs the skin. | Stratified Squamous Epithelium |
resembling scales | Squamous |
line every tube or cavity that connects to the surface of the body; they often secrete mucus, which prevents body cavities from drying out. | Mucous Membranes (mucosa) |
line the major body cavities that do not connect to the surface of the body; they occur in pairs. | Serous Membranes (serosa) |
The inner layer of the serous membrane that lines the organs. | Visceral Layer |
The layer of serous membrane that lines body cavities. | Parietal Layer |
which lubricates the organs and reduces friction as they glide across each other and the cavity walls. | Serous Fluid (serum) |
A serous membrane lining that protects the thoracic cavity. | Pleura |
The serous membrane lining the pericardial cavity. | Parietal Pericardium |
The thin, transparent serous membrane covering the heart. | Visceral Pericardium |
A layer of serous membrane that protect the lungs and line the pleural cavities. | Parietal Pleura |
The inner layer of serous membrane that covers the lungs. | Visceral Pleura |
The largest serous membrane of the body which binds the abdominopelvic organs to each other and the cavity wall. | Peritoneum |
A layer of membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity. | Parietal Peritoneum |
Covers some of the organs in the abdominopelvic cavity. | Visceral Peritoneum |
Composed of a gel-like material; it usually contains different types of connective tissue elements. | Synovial Membrane |
Each layer of the meninges, which consist of three layers of membrane that protect the cranial cavity and the spinal cord. | Meninx |
tissues that line the cranial cavity. | Cranial Meninges |
Membranes that line the spinal canal. | Spinal Meninges |
The outer layer of tissues protecting the cranium and spine. | Dura Mater |
The middle layer of tissues protecting the cranium and spine. | Arachnoid |
The inner layer of tissues protecting the cranium and spine. | Pia Matter |
Organs that are located outside of the peritoneum in the abdominal cavity. | Retroperitoneal Organs |
Surgical puncture into the abdominal cavity to remove fluid. | Abdominocentesis |
Relating to the abdominal and pelvic cavity. | Abdominopelvic |
Relating to the skull. | Cranial |
Skull | Cranium |
The muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. | Diaphragm |
Refers to dura mater, the outer membrane protecting the brain and spinal cord. | Dura |
Opening | Foramen |
Large opening. | Foramen Magnum |
break or bursting through, abnormal flow. | Hemorrhage |
Condition of underactive thyroid. | Hypothyroidism |
lungs | Pneumon/o |
mediastinum | Mediastin/o |
mass of tissue between the lungs. | Mediastinum |
meninges | Mening/o |
The three membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord:
-Dura Mater
-Pia Mater
-Arachnoid | Meninges |
Organ | Organ/o |
relating to an organ. | Organic |
Paries, wall | Pariet/o |
Relating to the wall of a cavity. | Parietal |
Lower portion of the abdomen | Pelvis |
Membrane that encloses the heart. | Pericardium |
Peritoneum | Peritone/o |
Serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity. | Peritoneum |
fence, wall | Phrang/o |
Enclosure | /phragm |
Diaphragm | Phren/o |
Relating to the diaphragm | Phrenic |
Pleura | Pleur/o |
Serous membrane that lines the thoracic cavity. | Pleura |
Relating to behind the eye. | Retro-orbital |
Relating to behind the peritoneum. | Retroperitoneal |
Serous Membrane | Serosa |
Clear fluid secreted from serous membranes. | Serum |
Spina | Spin/o |
Spine | Spina |
The canal formed by the vertebrae that encloses the spinal cord and meninges. | Spinal Canal |
Surgical puncture into the chest wall to remove fluid. | Thoracocentesis, Thoracentesis |
Tone, tension | Ton/o |
Normal degree of tension or stretch in muscle. | Tone |
Viscus | Viscer/o |
Any large organ in a cavity, especially the abdomen. | Viscus, Viscera |
Covers every body surface, including the outer surface, body cavities and organs. | Epithelial Tissue |
Connects other types of tissues, helps support the body and has its own blood supply. | Connective Tissue |
Extends and contracts, allowing movement. | Muscle Tissue |
transmits electrical impulses and makes up the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. | Nervous Tissue |
The organ system containing the liver, stomach, intestines and pancreas, all aiding in the function of digestion. | Digestive/Gastrointestinal System |
Organs with similar functions or physiology are grouped together. | Organ Systems |
Organs with similar functions or physiology are grouped together. | Organ Systems |
It lies in the pleura and pleural cavities, and is concerned with the breathing, such as the organs that include the lungs, trachea and the larynx. | Respiratory System |
The organ system that transports oxygen to allow gas exchange. | Circulatory/Cardiovascular System |
The thymus forms lymph tissue for the body's use, and lies in the mediastinum. | Lymphopoietic Organ |
Includes the brain, spinal cord, the nerves that reach each organ in the body, and the mind. | Nervous, Neurological or Neuro-psychiatric System |
Includes Skeletal muscles, ligaments and tendons. Only voluntary muscles are part of this system. | Muscular System |
Includes bones, joints, cartilage and spine. | Skeletal System |
Voluntary muscles and bones. | Musculoskeletal System |
Includes skin, nails, hair, sweat and sebaceous glands. | Integumentary System |
In the covering or in the skin. | Integument |
Largest organ in the body. | Skin |
The organ system that secretes hormones and consists of the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands. | Endocrine System |
This system begins with the mouth and ends at the anus, and includes the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, mouth and esophagus. It's also called the gastrointestinal system. | Digestive System |
This system filters the blood and produces urine. It includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. | Urinary System |
Includes such organs as the ovaries, uterus, vagina, breasts, testes and penis. | Reproductive System |
The body's defense system which appears to include portions of the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. | Immune System |