Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body meaning "throughout" or "to cut."

Chemical Level

The first level of organization of the body where atoms and molecules combine to form the various chemicals needed to maintain life.

Cellular Level

The smallest functional units of the human body where we observe the basic qualities of life.

Tissue Level

Occurs when a group of similar cells are arranged to perform a specific function.

Epithelial Tissue

Covers the outer surface of many parts of the body and lines the inner surfaces of body cavities and organs. It is involved in the formation of secretions that are produced by glands.

Membrane

A type of epithelial tissue that is a thin, sheet like expanse of tissue.

Epidermis

Outer layer of the skin.

Mucous Membranes

Lines the cavities that open onto the surface of the body and secretes mucous.

Serous Membranes

Lines the closed body cavities and secrets serum.

Mucous

A thick, slippery substance that helps to keep the body parts soft.

Serum

A thick, lubricating substance that helps to reduce friction between moving body parts.

Connective Tissue

Protects, supports, and binds body parts together.

Areolar (Loose)

Serves as the "glue."

Adipose (Fatty)

Connective tissue that stores fat.

Fibrous Connective Tissue

Fibrous bundles of tissue that provides strength and support (tendons, ligaments, fascia).

Hemipoietic

Blood forming tissue usually in red bone marrow.

Muscle Tissue

Responsible for the movement of the body by contracting and relaxing.

Nervous Tissue

Makes up various parts of the nervous system that receives stimuli, conducts impulses, and has overall control of the various bodily functions.

Organ Level

Groups of similar tissue arranged for the performance of some function.

System Level

Group of organs arranged for the performance of some specific function.

Skeletal System

Bones, cartilage, and ligaments to provide support and protection in the body.

Circulatory System

Heart, blood, blood vessels, and the lymphatic system, which transports gases, nutrients, and waste throughout the body. Also helps to protect the body against disease.

Muscular System

Connected primarily with movement of body parts.

Endocrine System

Group of glands which give off secretions which serve as chemical regulators of various bodily functions.

Nervous System

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves which have overall control over the bodily functions and serve to coordinate the performance of tasks by various cells, tissue, and organs in the body.

Digestive System

Organs used to take in food products, break them down to absorb nutrients, and eliminate solid waste products.

Urinary System

Kidneys and their related organs which serve to clean waste products from the blood and maintain proper fluid and chemical balances in the body.

Respiratory System

Lungs and other organs concerned with taking in oxygen and eliminating other respiratory gases.

Reproductive System

Male and female organs that are in involved in reproduction and development of sexual characteristics.

Integumentary System

The skin and its components that cover and protect the body as a whole, regulate temperature and act as a sensory organ.

Homeostasis

Good health and a normal, stable metabolism.

Head and Neck Region

Includes the Cranium, Face, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, and Neck.

Thoracic Region

Includes the Chest area, which houses vital organs such as the heart and lungs.

Abdominal Region

Includes liver, stomach, large and small intestines, pancreas, gall bladder, appendix, and kidneys.

Pelvic Region

Includes hip bones and structures of the lower abdomen.

Antebracial

Forearm.

Antecutital

Front of elbow.

Axillary

Armpit.

Brachial

Upper arm.

Buccal

Oral, mouth.

Cardiac

Heart.

Cervical

Neck.

Cranial

Head.

Cutaneous

Skin.

Femoral

Thigh.

Sagittal Plane

Cuts the body from front to back, separating it into left and right parts.

Mid-Sagittal Plane (Medial Plane)

When the Sagittal Plane is exactly in the middle, resulting in equal left and right parts or bilateral symmetry.

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body from side to side and results in front and back sections of the body. It creates a right angle when it crosses the median plane.

Transverse Plane (Horizontal / Cross Plane)

Divides the body horizontally or crosswise, separating the body in upper and lower sections.

Medial

Refers to the midline of the body or median plane.

Lateral

Refers to a location away from the midline and toward the sides of the body or body part.

Superior, Cranial, or Cephalic

Refers to the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior or Caudal

Refers to the tail or lower part of the body.

Anterior or Ventral

Refers to the front of the body.

Posterior or Dorsal

Refers to the back of the body.

Deep, Central, or Interal

Located toward the interior or center of the body, away from the surface/

Superficial, External, or Peripheral

Towards the surface or edges of the body.

Visceral

Terms referring to the organs within the body cavities.

Parietal

Refers to the walls of the body cavity.

Proximal

Towards or closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body.

Distal

Something is farther away from the point of attachment of limb to the trunk.

Prone

Position of a body when it is lying face down and palms down.

Supine

Position of a body when it is lying face up and palms up.

Gross Anatomy

The subdivision of the body into several main parts in order to study the body including the study of body cavities.

Head

Divides into the cranium and face.

Trunk or Torso

Includes the thorax, abdomen and pelvis.

Upper Extermities

Includes the arms and the shoulder blades and the collar bones (pectoral girdle).

Lower Extermities

Includes the legs and the hip bones (pelvic girdle).

Dorsal Cavity

The main body cavity made up of the cranial cavity within the skull and the spinal cavity within the vertebral column. It contains the brain and spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

The large cavity contained within the trunk of the body.

Thoracic Cavity

Upper torso or trunk within the chest area that contains the pleural cavities, pericardial cavities, and the mediastinal cavity.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Includes the parts of the ventral cavity that is located below the diaphragm.

Pleural Cavities

Space around the lungs.

Pericardial Cavities

Space around the heart.

Mediastinal Cavity

Area in the center of the thorax from the base of the neck to the diaphragm and in between the lungs.

Abdominal Cavity

The upper part of the abdominopelvic cavity; located directly below the diaphragm and stops and the top of the hip bones.

Pelvic Cavity

The lower parts of the abdominopelvic cavity; located within the pelvis.

Peritoneal Cavity

Contains many organs in the abdominopelvic cavity and is a two-layered serous membrane that holds the organs in place and transmits nerves and vessels.

Nasal Cavity

Within the nose.

Orbital Cavities

Eye sockets, contains the eyes.

Topographical (Surface) Anatomy

Involves the use of the surface form of the body along with corresponding underlying structures to locate certain areas/structures on the body.

Linear Guide

A line on the surface of the body which shows the location of some deeper, underlying structure; using these guides can assist the embalmer to perform a pre-embalming analysis to determine where to make an incision in order to raise a blood vessel.

Anatomical Guide

Any surface, prominence, or structure which is used to locate an adjacent structure or prominence.

Anatomical Limit

The point of origin and point of termination of a structure, in relation to its adjacent anatomical structures.

Regional Anatomy

Helps to determine two additional areas that are beneficial to embalmers.

Anterior Cervical Triangle

Triangular shaped region located in the neck area that contains the common carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve.

Anterior Cervical Superior Boundary

Inferior postion of the mandible.

Anterior Cervical Medial Boundary

Midline of the neck.

Anterior Cervical Lateral Boundary

Anterior border of the Sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Femoral Triangle

Triangular shaped region located in the upper, anterior, femoral region that contains the femoral artery, femoral vein, and femoral nerve.

Femoral Triangle Superior Boundary

Inguinal ligament.

Femoral Triangle Medial Boundary

Adductor Longus muscle.

Femoral Triangle Lateral Boundary

Sartorius muscle.

Abdominal

The area in the front of the trunk, below the diaphragm.

Antecubital

The depression just in front of the elbow joint.

Axillary

The armpit area that contains the artery and vein.

Calf

The posterior, lower leg.

Carpal

The wrist.

Cephalic

The head.

Digital

The fingers and toes.

Gluteal

The buttocks.

Inguinal (Groin)

The areas where the thigh meets the trunk.

Lumbar

The lower back, between the ribs and hip bones.

Nasal

The nose.

Optic, Ophthalmic, or Orbital

The eyes.

Palmar

The palm of the hand.

Plantar

The sole of the foot.

Popliteal

The knee area.

Pubic

The genital region.

Tarsal

The ankle.

Temporal

The sides of the skull.

Umbilical

The navel area.