Anatomy & Physiology Terms

Recurring Themes in Anatomy How is it that you get to stay alive?!?!?! Form follows function There are levels of organization No need for students to write

Stayin’ alive, staying’ alive, ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin’ aliiiiiiiiiiiive Homeostasis – maintaining a stable internal environment, staying within a range of tolerance Out of homeostasis = always the ultimate cause of death! No need for students to write

Form follows function The shape of structures is determined by their function No need for students to write Ex. Cells of capillary walls are flat/thin so substances like oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily diffuse across them Ex. – Neurons have to transmit info over long distances, so they have long, thin axons

Levels of organization Atoms/Molecules (chemistry) – the letters Cells (biology) – the words Tissues – sentences Organs – paragraphs Organ Systems – chapters Organism – the whole book! No need for students to write

The Anatomical Position Arms at sides, palms facing forward

Superior & Inferior Superior = Above Inferior = Below

Cranial, Rostral, & Caudal Cranial – towards the head Rostral – towards the nose Caudal – towards the tail

Anterior & Posterior Anterior – front side Posterior – back side

Ventral & Dorsal Ventral – front/belly side Dorsal – back side

Medial, Lateral, Intermediate Medial – towards the middle Lateral – towards the outside Intermediate – between the two

Proximal & Distal Proximal – closer to Distal – farther away from

Superficial & Deep Superficial – near the surface Deep – more inside

Body Planes Sagittal/Median – divides the body into a left and right side

Frontal Plane – divides the body into dorsal and ventral sides

Transverse Plane – divides body into cranial and caudal sides

Body Cavities Fluid-filled, membrane-lined spaces in the body

Cranial cavity – contains brain Dorsal cavity Cranial cavity – contains brain Vertebral cavity – contains spinal cord Blink 182 terms song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HqkL-bPYQs

Ventral cavity Thoracic cavity Pleural cavities – contain lungs Mediastinum - between lungs and heart Pericardial cavity – contains heart Abdominopelvic cavity Abdominal cavity – contains most digestive organs Pelvic cavity – contains bladder and reproductive organs