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 ans 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
 And prone means that the body is facing downward

Superior & Inferior
 Superior means towards the head
 Inferior means below or toward the feet

Anterior & Posterior
 Anterior means front or in front of
 Posterior means back or in the back of
Ex) Your shoulder is proximal to your elbow.
Your skin is superficial to your bones.

Medial & Lateral
 Medial means toward the midline of the body
 Lateral means towards the side of the body

Proximal & Distal
 Proximal means toward or near the trunk of the body
 Distal means away from the or farthest from the trunk of
point of origin of a body part

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, intestines, liver, gallbladder,
and lowest part of intestine
▪ Pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs, urinary bladder,
pancreas, and spleen
Dorsal cavity
 Cranial cavity contains brain
 Spinal cavity contains spinal cord

Homeostasis
 Relative consistency of internal environment
 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.