Anatomy

The branch of morphology concerned with the study of the internal and external structure of organisms and their parts.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference position used for describing locations and directions on the human body.

Frontal (Coronal)

Divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion.

The frontal plane is often referred to as a coronal plane. (“Corona” is Latin for “crown.”)

Sagittal

Also known as the midline.

Divides the body, from the top to bottom, into equal left and right halves.

Divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides.

If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body, it is called the midsagittal or median plane.

If it divides the body into unequal right and left sides, it is called a parasagittal plane or less commonly a longitudinal section.

Transverse

The horizontal plane that divides the whole body into upper and lower portions.

Divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions.

Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections.

Anterior, Ventral

Refers to the front or belly-side of the body or organ.

Describes the front or direction toward the front of the body.

Posterior, Dorsal

Refers to the back of the body or organ.

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.

Superior, Cranial

Describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper.

Inferior, Caudal

Toward the lower part of the body.

Describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper.

Proximal

Situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure.

Describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Distal

Situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure.

Describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Lateral

Describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.

Superficial

Describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

Cephalic seh-FAL-ick

Toward the head.

Dorsal

Within the dorsal cavity we find the cranial cavity (contains brain) and the spinal cavity (contains the spinal cord).

Ventral

The ventral cavity contains the thoracic (contains lungs and heart), abdominal and pelvic cavities (sometimes referred to as the abdominopelvic cavity as there is no physical separation).

Epigastric

epi- meaning above and gastr meaning stomach

Hypogastric

hypo-meaning below and gastr meaning stomach

Right and left lumbar regions

lumb meaning lower back

Umbilical region

referring to umbilicus which means belly botton/naval

Right and left iliac regions

ili meaning hip

Cells

Are the smallest functional units of the human body.

They are highly specialized as they perform various different functions.

For example, a erythrocyte (red blood cell) is flexible and packed with oxygen as it’s function is to travel through the body exchanging gas while a neuron is branching because of its role in communication.

Stem cells however are a special type of cell because they are unspecialized and can renew themselves. Stem cells are not yet differentiated into having a specialized function, but certain conditions can transform them to be differentiated cells with a specific function. Embryonic stems cells can form any adult cell.

Cytology

The study of cells.

cyt meaning cell, -ology meaning study).

Connective

support and connects internal organs and other body tissues

Epithelial

forms protective coverings internally and externally and be found lining the skin, blood vessels, and lungs. Specialized groups of epitheial cells that are capable of producing secretions are termed glands. Two types exist: endocrine and exocrine. Endocrine produce hormones secreted into the bloodstream (ex. estrogen) vs exocrine glands which secrete into other organs or outside the body (ex. sweat).

Muscle

responsible for movement via cells that contract and relax and can be found in the heart, digestive tract and skeletal muscle connected to the bones

Nerve

responsible for communication in the body via cells that are responsive to stimuli and can conduct electrical signals

Lymphatic System Thymus, Lymph nodes, Spleen, Lymphatic vessels

Returns fluid to blood

Defends against pathogens

Respiratory System Nasal passage, Trachea, Lungs

Removes carbon dioxide from the body

Delivers oxygen to the blood

Integumentary System Hair, Skin, Nails

Encloses internal body structures

Site of many sensory receptors

Skeletal System Cartilage, Bones, Joints

Supports the body

Enables movement (with muscular system)

Digestive System Stomach, Liver, Gall bladder, Large intestine, Small intestine

Processes food for use by the body

Removes wastes from undigested food

Urinary System Kidneys, Urinary bladder

Controls water balance in the body

Removes wastes from blood and excretes them

Muscular System Skeletal muscles, Tendons

Enables movement (with skeletal system)

Helps maintain body temperature

Nervous System Brain, Spinal cord, Peripheral nerves

Detects and processes sensory information

Activates bodily responses

Male Reproductive System Epididymis, Testes

Produces sex hormones and gametes

Delivers gametes to female

Female Reproductive System Mammary glands, Ovaries

Produces sex hormones and gametes

Supports embryo/fetus until birth

Produces milk for infant

Endocrine System Pituitary gland, Thyroid gland, Pancreas, Adrenal gland, Testes, Ovaries

Secretes hormones

Regulates body processes

Cardiovascular System Heart, Blood Vessels

Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues

Equalizes temperature in the body

Pathology

is the study of disease. It can also mean a condition produced by a disease. A pathogen is a microorganism which produces a disease such as the influenza (flu) virus.

Etiology

is the study of the causes of disease or abnormal condition.

Disease can be transmitted (spread) in many ways such as direct (human to human contact), bloodborne (via infected blood or bodily fluid), airborne (via air), vector-borne (via insects).

Diseases can also be classified in many ways such as infectious (caused by a living pathogenic organism), iatrogenic (result of medical treatment), idiopathic (no known cause), nosocomial (hospital acquired) diseases.

Genetics is the study of how genes (the basic physical and functional unit of heredity; Genes are made up of DNA) are inherited from parents to children and the role of genes in health and disease (gene means producing, and -tics means pertaining to).

Genetic Disorder, Hereditary Disease

Is caused by an absent or defective gene.

down syndrome, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis.

aden/o

gland

adip/o

fat

anter/o

before/front

cyt/o, -cyte

cell

end-, endo

in, within, inside

exo-

out of, outside, away from

hist/o

tissue

ologist

specialist

ology

the study or science of

path/o, -pathy

disease, suffering or feeling emotion

plas/I, plas/o, -plasio

development, growth, formation

poster/o

behind, toward the back

stasis, -static

control, maintenance of a constant level

Abdominal Cavity ab-DOM-ih-nal

Contains primarily the major organs of digestion.

Frequently referred to as the abdomen.

Adenocarcinoma ad-eh-noh-kar-sih-NOH-mah

A malignant tumor the originates in glandular tissue.

Adenoma ad-eh-NOH-mah

A benign tumor that arises in, or resembles, glandular tissue.

Anaplasia an-ah-PLAY-zee-ah

A change in the structure of cells, and in their orientation to each other.

Anatomy ah-NAT-oh-mee

The study of the structures of the body.

Anomaly ah-NOM-ah-lee

A deformation of an anatomical structure.

(birth defect), a disorder present at birth.

Anterior an-TEER-ee-or

Situated in the front.

On the forward part of an organ.

Aplasia ah-PLAY-zee-ah

The defective development, or the congenital absence, of an organ or tissue.

Atresia ah-TREE-zee-ah

A condition in which an orifice or passage in the body is (usually abnormally) closed or absent.

Autopsy AW-top-see

?

Bloodborne Transmission

The spread of a disease through contact with blood or other body fluids contaminated with blood.

Caudal KAW-dal

Toward the lower part of the body.

Cephalic seh-FAL-ick

Toward the head.

Chromosome KROH-moh-sohme

The genetic structures located within the nucleus of each cell.

Communicable Disease kuh-MEW-nih-kuh-bul

Transmitted from one person to another by direct contact or indirectly by contact with contaminated objects.

Congenital Disorder kon-JEN-ih-tahl

An abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth.

Cytoplasm SIGH-toh-plazm

The material within the cell membrane that is not a part of the nucleus.

Distal DIS-tal

Situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure.

Dorsal DOR-sal

Refers to the back of the body or organ.

Dysplasia dis-PLAY-see-ah

Abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs.

Endemic en-DEM-ick

Refers to the ongoing presence of a disease, such as the common cold, within a population, group, or area.

Endocrine Glands EN-doh-krin

These do not have ducts.

Secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Epidemic ep-ih-DEM-ick

A sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease, such as the flu, within a population group or area.

Epigastric Region ep-ih-GAS-trick

Located above the stomach.

Etiology ee-tee-OL-oh-jee

The study of the causes of diseases.

Exocrine Glands ECK-soh-krin

Such as sweat glands.

Secrete their chemical substances into ducts that lead into other organs or out of the body.

Functional Disorder

Produces symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified.

Genetic Disorder

A pathological disorder caused by an absent or defective gene.

Geriatrician jer-ee-ah-TRISH-un

A physician that specializes in the care of older people

Hemophilia hee-moh-FILL-ee-ah

A group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which one of the factors needed to clot the blood is missing.

Histology hiss-TOL-oh-jee

The study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues.

Homeostasis hoh-mee-oh-STAY-sis

The processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment.

Hyperplasia high-per-PLAY-zhee-ah

The enlargement of an organ or tissue because of an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues.

Hypertrophy high-PER-troh-fee

A general increase in the bulk of a body part or organ that is due to an increase in the size, but not in the number, of cells in the tissues.

Hypogastric Region high-poh-GAS-trick

Of the abdomen, is located below the stomach.

Hypoplasia high-poh-PLAY-zee-ah

The incomplete development of an organ of tissue, usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells.

Iatrogenic Illness eye-at-roh-JEN-ick

A problem, such as a side effect or an unfavorable response, arising from a prescribed treatment or medicine.

Idiopathic Disease id-ee-oh-PATH-ick

An illness without known cause.

Infectious Disease in-FECK-shus

An illness caused by a living pathogenic organism, such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus.

Inguinal ING-gwih-nal

Means pertaining to the groin.

Refers to the entire lower portion of the abdomen.

Medial MEE-dee-al

The direction toward, or near, the midline.

Mesentery MESS-en-terr-ee

A fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches part of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall.

Midsagittal Plane mid-SADJ-ih-tal

Also known as the midline.

Divides the body, from the top to bottom, into equal left and right halves.

Nosocomial Infection nahs-oh-KOH-mee-al

A disease acquired in a hospital or clinic.

Pandemic pan-DEM-ick

The outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide.

Pathology pah-THOL-oh-jee

The study of disease.

Pelvic Cavity PEL-vick

The space formed by the hip bones that contains primarily the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.

Peritoneum pehr-ih-toh-NEE-um

A multi-layered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity.

Peritonitis pehr-ih-toh-NIGH-tis

An inflammation of the peritoneum.

Physiology fiz-ee-OL-oh-jee

The study of the functions of body structures.

Posterior pos-TEER-ee-or

Situated in the back.

On the back part of an organ.

Proximal PROCK-sih-mal

Situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure.

Retroperitoneal ret-roh-pehr-ih-toh-NEE-al

Located behind the peritoneum.

Stem Cells

Unspecialized cells that renew themselves for long periods of time through cell division.

Syndrome SIN-drohm

A set of medical signs and symptoms which are correlated with each other and often associated with a particular disease or disorder.

Thoracic Cavity thoh-RAS-ick

Also known as the chest cavity, or thorax.

Protects the heart and the lungs.

Transverse Plane trans-VERSE

The horizontal plane that divides the whole body into upper and lower portions.

Umbilicus um-BILL-ih-kus

The pit in the center of the abdominal wall that marks where the umbilical cord was attached before birth.

Vector-Borne Transmission

The spread of certain disease due to the bite of a vector, such as an insect or animal, which is capable of transmitting a disease.

Ventral VEN-tral

Refers to the front or belly-side of the body or organ.