Glossary

abdominopelvic cavity

Division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the abdominal and pelvic viscera.

anatomical position

Standard reference position used for describing locations and directions of anatomical structures in the human body.

anatomy

Science that studies the form and composition of the body’s structures.

anterior

In front of or front.

axial

Horizontal plane at right angles to the sagittal and frontal planes, slicing the body into a superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions. The obtained cuts are transverse or axial views.

caudal

Towards the tail.

coronal plane

Vertical plane at right angle to the sagittal plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

cranial

Towards the head.

cranial cavity

Interior space of the skull that houses the brain.

deep

Farther from the surface.

distal

Away or farthest away from the trunk or the point of origin of the body part.

dorsal

Towards the back of the body.

equilibrium

Sense of balance that includes sensations of position and movement of the head.

frontal plane

Two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions.

homeostasis

Steady state of body systems that living organisms maintain.

inferior

Towards the feet.

medial

Towards the median.

midline

Median vertical line that runs the length of the body separating it into left and right hemispheres.

midsagittal plane

Vertical plane passing through the centre of the body (midline) that cuts it longitudinally into right and left halves.

negative feedback

Homeostatic mechanism that tends to stabilise an upset in the body’s physiological condition by preventing an excessive response to a stimulus, typically as the stimulus is removed.

oblique

At an angle.

parasagittal plane

Sagittal plane not on the midline resulting in two unequal left- and right-side views.

peripheral

Situated on the outer limits or edge.

physiology

Science that studies the chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of the body’s functions.

posterior

In behind or behind.

prefix

Placed in front of a word to change its meaning.

prone

Face down.

proximal

Closer or towards the trunk or the point of origin of the body part.

receptor

Protein molecule that contains a binding site for another specific molecule (called a ligand).

root

Derived from Greek or Latin term that expresses the basic meaning of the term.

sagittal plane

Two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides.

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.

stimulus

An event in the external or internal environment that registers as activity in a sensory neuron.

suffixes

Placed at the end of a work which may alter the meaning ie ‘itis’ means inflammation, nephritis.

superficial

Nearer to the surface.

superior

Towards the top of the head.

supine

Face up.

terminology

Body of terms specific to a subject of study.

thermoregulation

Maintenance of core body temperature within homeostatic range.

thoracic cavity

Division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the heart, lungs, oseophagus and trachea.

transverse plane

Two-dimensional, horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior portions.

ventral

Towards the front of the body.