Key Terms
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
describes the front or direction toward the front of the body; also referred to as ventral
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
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
describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also referred to as superior
cranial cavity
division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the brain
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
describes the back or direction toward the back of the body; also referred to as posterior
dorsal cavity
posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to the posterior body cavity
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 t