Essential Medical Terminology
Planes of Reference
Body Membranes
Directional Terminology
Organization of the Body
100

The biological study of body structures

What is Anatomy

100

A single plane which passes through the center long axis of the body; it divides the body into equal right and left halves

What is Median Plane

100

A thin layer which separates various cellular structures and organs

What is a membrane

100

Toward the head of the body

What is Superior

100

Any individual living creature

What is an organism

200

The study of anatomical structures which can be seen by the unaided vision

What is gross anatomy

200

Any plane which is parallel to the medial plane

What is sagittal plane

200

a membrane that line and protect the inside of your body; this membrane line the nose and mouth

What is mucous membrane

200

Toward the front of the body

What is Anterior

200

A group of similar cells organized into a structural and functional unit

What is tissue

300

The study of small anatomical structures which require the use of a microscope to see

What is Microanatomy

300

Any plane which is located at a right angle to the medial plane and passes through the long axis of the body; divides the body into top and bottom segments

What is transverse plane?

300

Thick, stringy fluids; reduce friction between cartilage and other tissues in the joints to lubricate and cushion them during movement

What is synovial membrane

300

Nearer to the point of reference

What is proximal

300

A basic unit of a chemical element

What is an atom

400

The biological study of the function of living organisms and their parts

What is physiology?

400

Any plane that divides the body into back and belly segments

What is frontal or coronal plane

400

The skin

What is cutaneous membrane

400

Closer to the midline of the body

Medial

400

The smallest structural unit of an organism which is considered living

What is a cell
500

The tendency of a living organism to maintain stability, both between its own body system and between itself and the environment

What is homeostasis?

500

This plane would be used to divide the torso (chest) from the hip (pelvis)

What is a transverse plane

500

A smooth membrane consisting of a thin layer of cells; it line and enclose several body cavities where they secrete a lubricating fluid which reduce friction from muscle movement

What is serous membrane

500

Below the surface

What is internal
500

A group of organs organized into a structural functional unit

What is an organ system