Question | Answer |
abdominal cavity | cavity beneath the thoracic cavity; contains: liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, pancreas, intestines, and kidneys |
anaplasia | a change in the structure and orientation of cells, characterized by a loss of differentiation and reversion to a more primitive form |
anatomical position | *the standard reference position for the body as a whole* the person is standing with arms at the sides and palms turned forward; head and feet are also pointing forward |
anterior | pertaining to the front of the body or toward the belly of the body |
aplasia | a developmental failure resulting in the absence of any organ or tissue |
cardiac muscle | muscle that makes up the muscular wall of the heart |
caudal | pertaining to the tail |
cell | smallest and most numerous structural unit in living matter |
cell membrane | semipermeable barrier that is the outer covering of a cell |
cervical vertebrae | C1 through C7 |
chromosomes | threadlike structures within the nucleus that controls the functions of growth, repair, and reproduction for the body |
coccyx | tailbone |
connective tissue | tissue that supports and binds other body tissue and parts |
cranial | pertaining to the skull or cranium |
cranial cavity | the cavity that contains the brain |
cytology | the study of cells |
distal | away from or farthest from the trunk of the body or point of origin of a body part |
dorsal | pertaining to the back |
dysplasia | any abnormal development of tissues or organs |
epigastric region | region of the abdomen located between the right and left hypochondriac regions in the upper section of the abdomen |
epithelial tissue | the tissue that covers the internal and external organs of the body |
frontal plane | vertical planes passing through the body from the head to the feet, dividing the body into front and back portions (anterior/posterior) |
genes | segments of chromosomes that transmit hereditary characteristics |
histologist | medical scientist who specializes in the study of tissues |
hyperplasia | increase in the number of cells of a body part |
hypogastric region | middle section of the lower abdomen, beneath the umbilical region |
hypoplasia | incomplete or underdeveloped organ or tissue |
inferior | below or downward toward the tail or feet |
inguinal region | right and left regions of the lower section of the abdomen |
lateral | toward the side of the body, away from the midline of the body |
lumbar region | right and left regions of the middle section of the abdomen |
McBurney's point | A point on the right side of the abdomen, about two-thirds of the distance between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip (appendix issues) |
medial | toward the midline of the body |
mediolateral | pertaining to the middle and side of a structure |
midline of the body | body is divided into equal right and left halves (medial/lateral) |
mitochondria | cell organs, which provide the energy needed by the cell (energy to cell) |
muscle tissue | tissue capable of producing movement of the parts and organs of the body by contracting and relaxing its fibers |
navel | umbilicus; belly button |
neoplasia | new and abnormal development of cells that may be benign or malignant |
nervous tissue | tissue that transmits impulses throughout the body |
nucleus | central controlling body within a living cell |
pelvic cavity | lower front cavity of the body, contains: bladder and reproductive organs |
peritoneum | specific serous membrane that covers the entire abdominal wall of the body |
plane | imaginary slices (or cuts)made through the body |
plantar | pertaining to the sole or bottom of the foot |
posterior | pertaining to the back of the body |
prone | lying facedown on the abdomen |
proximal | toward or nearest to the trunk of the body |
sacrum | singular triangular-shaped bone |
skeletal muscle | muscle that is attached to the bone |
smooth muscle | muscle found in the walls of the hollow internal organs of the body |
superficial | pertaining to the surface |
superior | above or upward toward head |
supination | a movement that allows the palms of the hands to turn upward or forward |
supine | lying horizontally on the back, faceup |
thoracic cavity | the chest cavity, contains: lungs, heart, esophagus, and trachea |
tissue | a group of cells that performs specialized functions |
transverse plane | dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions |
umbilical region | the region of the abdomen located in the middle section of the abdomen |
umbilicus | navel; also called the belly button |
ventral | front; belly side |
visceral | internal organs |
visceral muscle | smooth muscle |