AAMI Anatomy 1
Exam Questions
and Answers
Pathological anatomy or morbid anatomy - ANSWER the study of anatomy in
regards to the structural changes, both microscopically and macroscopicaly, in the body
which occurs as a result of disease.
Physiology or physiological anatomy - ANSWER studies of functions of living
things or how the body works.
Gross Anatomy or Macro-scopic anatomy - ANSWER the study of structures that
can be studied with the unaided eye, without the use of a microscope.
Microscopic Anatomy - ANSWER deals with the study of structures of the body
that can be seen only with the use of a microscope. These structures are so small that
they are best suited using a microscope.
Histology - ANSWER the study of tissues in the body which can only be effectively
studied with the aid of the microscope.
Cytology - ANSWER the study of the structure of individual cells.
Systemic Anatomy - ANSWER where the body is studied by individual systems
such as digestion, circulatory, skeletal, or respiratory systems.
Regional Anatomy - ANSWER will study some particular body region as a seperate
unit, such as the head, chest, and abdominal areas, etc.
Anatomical Position - ANSWER Standing erect, facing the observer, feet are flat
on the floor, upper extremities are at the sides, palms of the hand are facing anteriorly.
(towards the front)
, Prone Position - ANSWER refers to a subject lying face down or with the anterior
surface down.
Supine Position - ANSWER refers to a subject lying face up or with the anterior
surface facing up.
Anterior or ventral - ANSWER means toward or closer to the front of the body.
Posterior or dorsal - ANSWER means towards or closer to the back of the body.
Medial - ANSWER refers to something which is located toward the midline (center
of the body), or median place of the body.
Lateral - ANSWER refers to a location away from the median plane or towards the
sides of the body (or body part).
Superior, cephalad, cephalic, cranial - ANSWER these 4 terms refer to a structure
that is located toward the head or upper part of the body away from the feet.
Inferior or caudal - ANSWER refers to a structure that is located toward the tail end
or the inferior end of the body; away from the head.
Proximal - ANSWER literally means nearest. Something that is located toward or
closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body, or closer to the point
of origin.
Distal - ANSWER to be distant; therefore it refers to something that is further away
from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body or farther from the point of
origin.
Deep - ANSWER refers to something that is located away from the surface of the
body or towards the inside of the body.
Superficial - ANSWER pertaining to something that is near or on the surface of the
body.
Parietal - ANSWER relates to or forming the outer wall of a body cavity.
Visceral - ANSWER pertains to organs; or the covering of an organ.
Internal - ANSWER within the body; pertaining to the inside of the body, opposite
of external.
External - ANSWER pertaining to the exterior; the opposite of internal.
Exam Questions
and Answers
Pathological anatomy or morbid anatomy - ANSWER the study of anatomy in
regards to the structural changes, both microscopically and macroscopicaly, in the body
which occurs as a result of disease.
Physiology or physiological anatomy - ANSWER studies of functions of living
things or how the body works.
Gross Anatomy or Macro-scopic anatomy - ANSWER the study of structures that
can be studied with the unaided eye, without the use of a microscope.
Microscopic Anatomy - ANSWER deals with the study of structures of the body
that can be seen only with the use of a microscope. These structures are so small that
they are best suited using a microscope.
Histology - ANSWER the study of tissues in the body which can only be effectively
studied with the aid of the microscope.
Cytology - ANSWER the study of the structure of individual cells.
Systemic Anatomy - ANSWER where the body is studied by individual systems
such as digestion, circulatory, skeletal, or respiratory systems.
Regional Anatomy - ANSWER will study some particular body region as a seperate
unit, such as the head, chest, and abdominal areas, etc.
Anatomical Position - ANSWER Standing erect, facing the observer, feet are flat
on the floor, upper extremities are at the sides, palms of the hand are facing anteriorly.
(towards the front)
, Prone Position - ANSWER refers to a subject lying face down or with the anterior
surface down.
Supine Position - ANSWER refers to a subject lying face up or with the anterior
surface facing up.
Anterior or ventral - ANSWER means toward or closer to the front of the body.
Posterior or dorsal - ANSWER means towards or closer to the back of the body.
Medial - ANSWER refers to something which is located toward the midline (center
of the body), or median place of the body.
Lateral - ANSWER refers to a location away from the median plane or towards the
sides of the body (or body part).
Superior, cephalad, cephalic, cranial - ANSWER these 4 terms refer to a structure
that is located toward the head or upper part of the body away from the feet.
Inferior or caudal - ANSWER refers to a structure that is located toward the tail end
or the inferior end of the body; away from the head.
Proximal - ANSWER literally means nearest. Something that is located toward or
closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body, or closer to the point
of origin.
Distal - ANSWER to be distant; therefore it refers to something that is further away
from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body or farther from the point of
origin.
Deep - ANSWER refers to something that is located away from the surface of the
body or towards the inside of the body.
Superficial - ANSWER pertaining to something that is near or on the surface of the
body.
Parietal - ANSWER relates to or forming the outer wall of a body cavity.
Visceral - ANSWER pertains to organs; or the covering of an organ.
Internal - ANSWER within the body; pertaining to the inside of the body, opposite
of external.
External - ANSWER pertaining to the exterior; the opposite of internal.
