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Anatomy & Physiology: Anatomy Language

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Terms in this set (21)

  • What is anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts.

  • What is physiology?

    Physiology is the study of how the body and its parts function.

  • Define anatomical position.

    The anatomical position is the standard body position used as a reference: standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

  • What does 'anterior' mean?

    Anterior means toward the front of the body.

  • What does 'posterior' mean?

    Posterior means toward the back of the body.

  • Define 'superior' in anatomical terms.

    Superior means above or higher in position.

  • Define 'inferior' in anatomical terms.

    Inferior means below or lower in position.

  • What does 'medial' mean?

    Medial means toward the midline of the body.

  • What does 'lateral' mean?

    Lateral means away from the midline of the body.

  • Define 'proximal'.

    Proximal means closer to the point of attachment or origin.

  • Define 'distal'.

    Distal means farther from the point of attachment or origin.

  • What is a body plane?

    A body plane is an imaginary flat surface that divides the body into sections.

  • Name the three main body planes.

    The three main body planes are sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse.

  • What does the sagittal plane divide?

    The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right parts.

  • What does the frontal (coronal) plane divide?

    The frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

  • What does the transverse plane divide?

    The transverse plane divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

  • Define 'superficial' in anatomy.

    Superficial means toward or on the surface of the body.

  • Define 'deep' in anatomy.

    Deep means away from the surface, more internal.

  • What is the difference between 'ventral' and 'dorsal'?

    Ventral refers to the front or belly side; dorsal refers to the back side.

  • What does 'ipsilateral' mean?

    Ipsilateral means on the same side of the body.

  • What does 'contralateral' mean?

    Contralateral means on the opposite side of the body.