Human Anatomy and Physiology – Terminology
Guide to Body Cavities, Planes, Systems, and
Homeostasis
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
, Cranial ✔✔Describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also
referred to as superior
Cranial Cavity ✔✔Division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the brain
Cross Section ✔✔In anatomy, a transverse cut through a structure or tissue.
Deep ✔✔Describes a position farther from the surface of the body
Development ✔✔Changes an organism goes through during its life
Diaphragm ✔✔The muscle that separates the chest (thoracic) cavity from the abdomen and is
the main muscle of respiration.
Differentiation ✔✔Process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and
function
Distal ✔✔Describes a position farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body
Dorsal Body Cavity ✔✔Posterior body cavity that houses the brain and the spinal cord; also
referred to as posterior body cavity
Effector ✔✔Organ that can cause a change in value
- an organ (a gland or muscle) that becomes active in response to nerve impulses
Excretion ✔✔The process whereby the undigested residue of food and the waste products of
metabolism are eliminated, material is removed to regulate the composition of body fluids and
tissues, or substances are expelled to perform functions on an exterior surface.
Frontal Plane ✔✔Two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior
and posterior portions
Gross Anatomy ✔✔Study of the larger structures of the body, typically with the unaided
(naked) eye; also referred to macroscopic anatomy
Growth ✔✔Process in increasing in size
Guide to Body Cavities, Planes, Systems, and
Homeostasis
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
, Cranial ✔✔Describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper; also
referred to as superior
Cranial Cavity ✔✔Division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the brain
Cross Section ✔✔In anatomy, a transverse cut through a structure or tissue.
Deep ✔✔Describes a position farther from the surface of the body
Development ✔✔Changes an organism goes through during its life
Diaphragm ✔✔The muscle that separates the chest (thoracic) cavity from the abdomen and is
the main muscle of respiration.
Differentiation ✔✔Process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and
function
Distal ✔✔Describes a position farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body
Dorsal Body Cavity ✔✔Posterior body cavity that houses the brain and the spinal cord; also
referred to as posterior body cavity
Effector ✔✔Organ that can cause a change in value
- an organ (a gland or muscle) that becomes active in response to nerve impulses
Excretion ✔✔The process whereby the undigested residue of food and the waste products of
metabolism are eliminated, material is removed to regulate the composition of body fluids and
tissues, or substances are expelled to perform functions on an exterior surface.
Frontal Plane ✔✔Two-dimensional, vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior
and posterior portions
Gross Anatomy ✔✔Study of the larger structures of the body, typically with the unaided
(naked) eye; also referred to macroscopic anatomy
Growth ✔✔Process in increasing in size
