The frame: Like the human body, a house has a skeleton that gives it support, and provides a framework for outer coverings. A house's skeleton is called the frame. Although some houses use steel framing, most are wood framed. Basic framework includes the foundation, beams, floor joists, wall studs and wood rafters.

Walls: Other parts include nonbearing and load-bearing walls. Nonbearing walls may be perpendicular or parallel to joists or rafters. They often may be identified from under the house, because they're not supported by a foundation wall or beam. Because they don't support loads, they usually can be removed without compromising a structure's strength. Load-bearing walls include exterior walls that carry ceiling, roof or upper floor loads to the foundation and internal walls that support joists at midspan.

Joist: A joist is any of a set of parallel beams set from wall to wall to support the boards of a ceiling or floor.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com