Anatomy and Physiology

Abdominal Cavity - The largest hallow body cavity in humans and many animals, and holds the bulk of the viscera. It is located below (inferior to) the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Abdominopelvic Cavity - Division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that houses the abdominal and pelvic viscera. Anatomical Position - A standard reference position used for describing location and directions on the human body. Anatomy - Science that studies the form and composition of the the body's structures. Anterior Cavity - Larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior (dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-lined pleural cavities of the lungs, pericardial cavity of the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as ventral cavity. Atom - The basic unit that makes up all matter. Body Plane - An imaginary lines drawn through the body to separate the body into sections. 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 refer to as inferior Cell - Smallest independently functioning unit of all organisms; in animals, it contains cytoplasm, composed of fluid and organelles Control Center - Compares values to their normal range; deviations cause the activation of an effector Coronal Section - Divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and front, or posterior and anterior) portions; also referred to as frontal portion