abdominopelvic cavity: division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the abdominal and pelvic viscera
anabolism: assembly of more complex molecules from simpler molecules
anatomical position: standard reference position used for describing locations and directions on the human body
anatomy: science that studies the form and composition of the body’s structures
anterior cavity: larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-lined pleural cavities for the lungs, pericardial cavity for the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as ventral cavity
anterior: describes the front or direction toward the front of the body; also referred to as ventral
catabolism: breaking down of more complex molecules into simpler molecules
caudal: describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also referred to as inferior
cell: smallest independently functioning unit of all organisms; in animals, a cell contains cytoplasm, composed of fluid and organelles
computed tomography (CT): medical imaging technique in which a computer-enhanced cross-sectional X-ray image is obtained
control center: compares values to their normal range; deviations cause the activation of an effector
cranial cavity: division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the brain
cranial: describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also referred to as superior
deep: describes a position farther from the surface of the body
development: changes an organism goes through during its life
differentiation: process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function
distal: describes a position farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body
dorsal cavity: posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to the posterior body cavity
dorsal: describes the back or direction toward the back of the body; also referred to as posterior
effector: organ that can cause a change in a value
frontal plane: two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions
gross anatomy: study of the larger structures of the body, typically with the unaided eye; also referred to macroscopic anatomy
growth: process of increasing in size
homeostasis: steady state of body systems that living organisms maintain
inferior: describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also referred to as caudal
lateral: describes the side or direction toward the side of the body
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): medical imaging technique in which a device generates a magnetic field to obtain detailed sectional images of the internal structures of the body
medial: describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body
metabolism: sum of all of the body’s chemical reactions
microscopic anatomy: study of very small structures of the body using magnification
negative feedback: homeostatic mechanism that tends to stabilize an upset in the body’s physiological condition by preventing an excessive response to a stimulus, typically as the stimulus is removed
normal range: range of values around the set point that do not cause a reaction by the control center
nutrient: chemical obtained from foods and beverages that is critical to human survival
organ system: group of organs that work together to carry out a particular function
organism: living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life
organ: functionally distinct structure composed of two or more types of tissues
pericardium: sac that encloses the heart
peritoneum: serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and covers the organs found there
physiology: science that studies the chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of the body’s functions
plane: imaginary two-dimensional surface that passes through the body
pleura: serous membrane that lines the pleural cavity and covers the lungs
positive feedback: mechanism that intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition in response to a stimulus
positron emission tomography (PET): medical imaging technique in which radiopharmaceuticals are traced to reveal metabolic and physiological functions in tissues
posterior cavity: posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to as dorsal cavity
posterior: describes the back or direction toward the back of the body; also referred to as dorsal
pressure: force exerted by a substance in contact with another substance
prone: face down
proximal: describes a position nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body
regional anatomy: study of the structures that contribute to specific body regions
renewal: process by which worn-out cells are replaced
reproduction: process by which new organisms are generated
responsiveness: ability of an organisms or a system to adjust to changes in conditions
sagittal plane: two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides
section: in anatomy, a single flat surface of a three-dimensional structure that has been cut through
sensor: (also, receptor) reports a monitored physiological value to the control center
serosa: membrane that covers organs and reduces friction; also referred to as serous membrane
serous membrane: membrane that covers organs and reduces friction; also referred to as serosa
set point: ideal value for a physiological parameter; the level or small range within which a physiological parameter such as blood pressure is stable and optimally healthful, that is, within its parameters of homeostasis
spinal cavity: division of the dorsal cavity that houses the spinal cord; also referred to as vertebral cavity
superficial: describes a position nearer to the surface of the body
superior: describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also referred to as cranial
supine: face up
systemic anatomy: study of the structures that contribute to specific body systems
thoracic cavity: division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea
tissue: group of similar or closely related cells that act together to perform a specific function
transverse plane: two-dimensional, horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior portions
ultrasonography: application of ultrasonic waves to visualize subcutaneous body structures such as tendons and organs
ventral cavity: larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-lined pleural cavities for the lungs, pericardial cavity for the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as anterior body cavity
ventral: describes the front or direction toward the front of the body; also referred to as anterior
X-ray: form of high energy electromagnetic radiation with a short wavelength capable of penetrating solids and ionizing gases; used in medicine as a diagnostic aid to visualize body structures such as bones