1.8: Key Terms
- Page ID
- 108173
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| Words (or words that have the same definition) | The definition is case sensitive | (Optional) Image to display with the definition [Not displayed in Glossary, only in pop-up on pages] | (Optional) Caption for Image | (Optional) External or Internal Link | (Optional) Source for Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Eg. "Genetic, Hereditary, DNA ...") | (Eg. "Relating to genes or heredity") |  | The infamous double helix | https://bio.libretexts.org/ | CC-BY-SA; Delmar Larsen |
| Word(s) | Definition | Image | Caption | Link | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 | functionally distinct structure composed of two or more types of tissues | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | describes the back or direction toward the back of the body; also referred to as dorsal | ||||
| posterior cavity | posterior body cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; also referred to as dorsal cavity | ||||
| 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 | describes the front or direction toward the front of the body; also referred to as anterior | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 |