| A | B |
|---|
| Anatomy | The study of the structure of the body and how the body parts are organized |
| Physiology | The study of the functions of the body parts...what they do and how they do it |
| Directional Terms | Ways to describe the position of a body part in relation to the body as a whole |
| Planes of the Body | Imaginary flat geometric surfaces the pass through the body to allow a dissection of the body as a whole |
| Body Cavities | Two major; each major cavity divided into lesser cavities |
| Cells | The smallest unit of life |
| Tissues | A group of cells similar in size, shape, and function |
| Organs | Tissues that serve a common function |
| System | A group of organs |
| Superior | Uppermost or above |
| Inferior | Lowermost or below |
| Anterior / Ventral | Toward the front |
| Posterior / Dorsal | Toward the back |
| Cephalad / Cranial | Toward the head...synonymous with Superior |
| Medial | Nearest the midline |
| Lateral | Toward the side |
| Proximal | Nearest the point of attachment |
| Distal | Away from the point of attachment |
| Midsagittal / Median Plane | Vertically divides the body into equal halves |
| Sagittal Plane | Vertically divides body into halves...parallel to median/midsagittal plane |
| Horizontal / Transverse Plane | Divides body into superior and inferior portions |
| Frontal / Coronal Plane | Divides the body into anterior/ventral and posterior/dorsal portions |
| Two major body cavities | Dorsal cavity and Ventral Cavity |
| Dorsal Cavity Subdivisions | Cranial Cavity and Spinal Cavity |
| Ventral Cavity Subdivisions | Thoracic Cavity and Abdominopelvic Cavity |
