Anatomy Bowl Prep
Intro Structure & Function of the Body by Lisa Sappenfield
Know and understand these terms.

Atoms
 The smallest particle of a pure substance that still
has the chemical properties of that substance;
composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons

Molecules
 Particle of mater composed of one of more
smaller units called atoms

Cell
 The basic biological and structural unit of the
body consisting of a nucleus surrounded by
cytoplasm and enclosed by a membrane

Tissue
 A group of similar cells that perform a common function

Organ
 Group of special tissues that performs a special function

Systems
 A group of organs arranged so that the group can perform a more
complex function than any one organ can perform alone

Body
 Unified and complex assembly of structurally and functionally
interactive components

Supine & Prone
 Supine means that the body is facing upward
 Prone means that the body is facing downward

Superior & Inferior
 Superior means towards the head
 Inferior means below or towards the feet

Anterior & Posterior
 Anterior means front or in front of
 Posterior means back or in the back of

Medial & Lateral
 Medial means towards the midline of the body
 Lateral means away from the midline of the body

Proximal & Distal
 Proximal means closest to the trunk of the body
 Distal means farthest away from the trunk of the body

Superficial & Deep
 Superficial means nearer to the surface
 Deep means farther away from the surface

Sagittal plane
 Lengthwise plane that divides a structure into right and
left sections

Midsagittal plane
 Sagittal plane that divides the body into two equal halves

Frontal plane
 Lengthwise plane that divides a structure into an anterior
and posterior section

Transverse plane
 Horizontal plane that divides a structure into upper and
lower sections


Ventral cavity
 Thoracic
▪ Mediastinum
▪ midportion of thoracic cavity; heart, trachea located here
▪ Pleural cavities
▪ right and left lungs located here
 Abdominopelvic cavity
▪ Abdominal cavity contains stomach, small intestine, liver,
gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and most of the large intestine
▪ Pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs, urinary bladder, and the
remaining large intestine including the rectum
Dorsal cavity
 Cranial cavity contains brain
 Spinal cavity contains spinal cord

Homeostasis
 Maintaining internal stability
 Survival depends on homeostasis

Feedback Loops
 Positive-stimulatory
▪ Example: Increasingly rapid sticking together of blood cells called
platelets to form a plug that brings formation of a blood clot. (The
process increases rapidly until the positive feedback loop is stopped
by formation of a clot)
 Negative-oppose or negate a change in the controlled condition
▪ Example: excretion of larger than usual volumes of urine when the
volume of fluid in the body is greater than the normal, ideal
amount.