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Abdominopelvic cavity
Is the second subdivision of the ventral cavity, contains the kidneys, stomach, liver, and gallbladder, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas, and the ovaries and uterus in women.
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Anatomy
The study of the structure or morphology of the body and how the body parts are organized.
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Anterior
Means toward the front.
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Cardiovascular system
Function is to pump and distribute blood, which carries oxygen, nutrients, and wastes to and from the cells of the body. Consists of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.
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Caudal
Is synonymous with inferior, specifically means toward the tail.
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Cephalad
Or cranial means toward the head, is synonymous with superior.
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Connective tissue
Type of tissue that supports or binds.
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Coronal
Divides the anterior and posterior portions of the body at right angles to the sagittal plane.
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Cranial
Means toward the head, synonymous with superior.
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Cranial cavity
Cavity that contains the brain.
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Digestive system
Function is to convert food into simpler substances that along with other nutrients can be absorbed by the cells of the body and eliminate indigestible wastes. Includes the alimentary canal(mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, and anus) with its associated glands( salivary, liver, and pancreas).
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Distal
Means away from the point of attachment or origin.
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Dorsal
Means backside, can also be used for posterior.
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Endocrine system
Works with the nervous system through the hypothalamus of the brain, which contains the pituitary gland. Consists of the endocrine(ductless) glands. The master gland, or pituitary, controls the other glands-thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes. These glands produce hormones that chemically regulate the body's functions. Also see thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, as well as portions of kidneys, pancreas, liver, and placenta.
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Epithelial tissue
Type of tissue that protects, absorbs, or secretes.
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Frontal
Divides the anterior and the posterior portions of the body at right angles to the sagittal plane.
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Homeostasis
Tha maintenance of the internal environment of the body.
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Horizontal
Plane that divides the superior and inferior portions of the body.
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Inferior
Means lowermost or below.
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Integumentary system
Made up of two layers, epidermis and dermis. Includes the skin, hair, nails, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Functions include insulation of the body, protection of the body from environmental hazards such as UV rays, chemicals, and regulation of body temperature and water. Also has receptor sites to detect changes in temperature and pressure.
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Lateral
Means toward the side or away from the midline of the body.
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Lymphatic system
Consists of the lymph nodes, the thymus gland, the spleen, and the lymph vessels. Function is to drain tissue spaces of excess interstitial fluids and absorb fats from the intestine and carry them to the blood. Also protects the body from disease by developing immunities and destroying most invading disease causing microorganisms.
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Medial
Means nearest the midline of the body.
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Mediastinum
Found between the pleural cavities, contains the heart, thymus gland, lymph and blood vessels, trachea, esophagus, and nerves. The diaphragm muscle separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.
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Midsagittal
Plane that vertically divides the body through the midline into two equal left and right portions or halves.
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Muscle tissue
Tissue that can shorten and thicken and contract.
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Muscular system
Consists of muscles, fasciae,(fibrous connective tissues), tendon sheaths, and bursae(fibrous sacs). Skeletal muscles pull on bones to allow movement; smooth muscle pushes food through the digestive tract and blood through the circulatory system; and cardiac muscle causes contraction of the heart.
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Nervous system
Consists of the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, and the sensory and motor structures of the body. Functions include controlling, correlating and regulating the other systems of the body; interpreting stimuli, controlling special senses of sight, hearing, taste, and smell.
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Nervous tissue
Type of tissue that transmits impulses.
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Parietal
Refers to the walls of a cavity.
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Pathology
The study of diseases of the body.
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Pericardial cavity
Space between the epicardium of the heart and the inner layer of the of the pericardial sac.
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Physiology
The study of the functions of the body parts.
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Pleural cavities
Small space between the pleural membranes.
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Posterior
Toward the back.
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Protoplasm
The liquid part of the cell, surrounded by a limiting membrane, the cell membrane, also called the the plasma membrane, which selectively determines what what may enter and exit the cell.
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Proximal
Nearest the point of attachment or origin.
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Reproductive system
Consists of the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina in the female and the testes, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, penis, and the urethra in the male. Functions include maintenance of sexual characteristics and the perpetuation of our species.
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Respiratory system
Composed of the nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. It brings oxygen to and eliminates carbon dioxide from the blood.
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Sagittal
Any plane parallel to the midsagittal or median plane vertically dividing the body into unequal right and left portions.
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Skeletal system
Composed of the bones, cartilage, and the membranous structures associated with bones. Protects the soft and vital parts of the body and provides support for the bodies tissues. Bones act as levers, system also manufactures blood cells in red bone marrow and stores fat in yellow bone marrow, also stores mineral salts like calcium and phosphorous.
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Spinal cavity
Contains the spinal cord.
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Superior
Means uppermost or above.
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Thoracic cavity
First subdivision of the ventral cavity that is surrounded by the rib cage and contains the heart and lungs.
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Transverse
Plane that divides the superior and inferior portions of the body.
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Urinary system
Consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. Functions include the chemical regulation of the blood, the formation and elimination of urine, and the maintenance of homeostasis.
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Ventral
Means belly side, also used for anterior.
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Viscera
The organs of a cavity.
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Visceral
Refers to the covering of an organ.
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