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Anatomy & Physiology Lab 1 - Key Concepts

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  • Anterior surface

    The inside of the palm and arm; the front-facing surface of the body.
  • Superior vs Inferior

    Superior means toward the head or upper part; Inferior means toward the feet or lower part.
  • Proximal vs Distal

    Proximal means closer to the point of attachment or origin; Distal means farther from the point of attachment.
  • Frontal (Coronal) plane

    Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.
  • Median plane

    Divides the body into equal left and right halves.
  • Transverse plane

    Divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) halves.
  • Thoracic cavity

    Chest cavity housing lungs, heart, and trachea; separated from abdominal cavity by the diaphragm.
  • Mediastinum

    A space within the thoracic cavity that contains the heart, surrounded by the pericardial cavity.
  • Pericardial cavity

    The fluid-filled lining around the heart that prevents overexpansion.
  • Abdominopelvic cavity

    Contains abdominal organs like stomach, intestines, kidneys, and pelvic organs like bladder and rectum.
  • Axillary

    Refers to the armpit region; e.g., axillary artery.
  • Antecubital

    The front of the elbow, commonly used for drawing blood.
  • Patella

    The kneecap bone.
  • Sural

    The calf region of the leg.
  • Plantar surface

    The sole or bottom surface of the foot.
  • Hypochondriac region

    Located under the ribs; 'hypo' means under, 'chondriac' means cartilage.
  • Epigastric region

    Located above the stomach; 'epi' means above, 'gastric' means stomach.
  • Microscope oculars

    The eyepieces through which you view the specimen.
  • Objective lenses

    Lenses with different magnifications: red (4x), yellow, blue (high dry), white (oil immersion).
  • Cell membrane

    Selectively permeable lipid-protein layer controlling entry and exit of substances.
  • Mitochondria

    Double-membraned organelles that produce ATP, the cell's energy source.
  • Golgi complex

    Packages proteins for transport inside or outside the cell.
  • Lysosomes

    Contain enzymes for self-destruction of cells and digestion of unwanted proteins.
  • Cell cycle phases

    G1: growth; S: DNA synthesis; G2: final growth and checks before mitosis.
  • Mitosis stages

    Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis.
  • Connective tissue function

    Supports, insulates, and connects other tissues; examples include adipose and bone.
  • Cardiac muscle

    Striated muscle with intercalated discs that conduct electrical signals.
  • Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

    Lines respiratory tract; cilia move mucus upward to trigger cough or sneeze.
  • Stratum basale

    Deepest epidermal layer where cells undergo mitosis and melanocytes produce pigment.
  • Arrector pili muscle

    Muscle attached to hair follicle causing hair to stand up (goosebumps).