INTRO | Anatomy & Physiology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomy, physiology, body organization, directional terms, planes, and body cavities from the lecture notes.

Anatomy

The study of body structures and their relationships to one another.

Physiology

The study of the function of body structures; how the body works.

Gross anatomy

The study of large structures visible to the naked eye.

Surface anatomy

Study of structures visible on the surface without dissection.

Systemic anatomy

Study of organ systems that work together to perform a common function.

Cardiovascular system

System consisting of the heart and blood vessels that circulates blood. Functions include delivering nutrients and removing waste.

Heart

Muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system.

Blood vessels

Tubes (arteries, veins, capillaries) that carry blood.

Circulatory system

Organs working together to move blood throughout the body.

Nervous system

Network including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves responsible for sensing, processing, and responding.

Neuron

The signaling cell of the nervous system.

Cytology

Study of cell structure.

Organelles

Internal structures within a cell.

Mitochondrion

Organelle with double membranes; the cell’s energy powerhouse.

Electron microscope

Microscope that uses electrons for very high magnification to view small structures.

Light microscope

Microscope that uses visible light; typical magnification up to ~1000x.

Tissue

Group of similar cells performing a common function.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Glial cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system.

Astrocytes

A type of glial cell in the CNS that supports neurons.

Microglial cells

Glial cells acting as immune cells in the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that form myelin in the central nervous system.

Phospholipid bilayer

Two-layer membrane forming the cell boundary; foundation of the cell membrane.

Chemical level

First level of organization: atoms and molecules.

Cellular level

Level of organization focusing on cells as the basic units of life.

Tissue level

Level where similar cells form tissues to perform functions.

Detrusor muscle

Smooth muscle of the urinary bladder that contracts to expel urine.

Organ

Structure composed of two or more tissues working together.

Organ system

Group of organs functioning together for a common purpose.

Organism

The entire living being; a human with all organ systems integrated.

Integumentary system

Skin, hair, nails, sensory receptors; protects the body and detects touch.

Skeletal system

Bones, cartilage, ligaments; provides support and enables movement.

Muscular system

Muscles and tendons; produce movement and generate heat.

Endocrine system

Glands (pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, gonads) that regulate organs via hormones.

Lymphatic and immune system

Vessels, nodes, spleen, thymus; drains fluid from tissues and defends against pathogens.

Respiratory system

Lungs, bronchi, trachea, larynx, pharynx, nasal cavities, sinus; enables gas exchange and respiration.

Digestive system

Oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, large intestine; ingests, digests, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.

Urinary system

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra; filters blood and eliminates waste as urine.

Reproductive system

Organs that produce offspring. Male: testes, epididymas, ductus deferens, seminal glands, prostate, and penis. Female: ovaries, uterus, vagina, vulva, and mammary glands.

Anatomical position

Standard body stance used as a reference; orientation remains consistent.

Superior

Toward the head.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the sides.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Ventral

Synonym for anterior (front) in many contexts.

Dorsal

Synonym for posterior (back) in many contexts.

Proximal

Closer to a point of attachment along a limb.

Distal

Farther from a point of attachment along a limb.

Cranial

Towards the head (synonymous with superior in many contexts).

Caudal

Towards the tail or inferior end.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal

Sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal

Sagittal plane not exactly through the midline.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

Oblique section

Section cut at an angle other than the standard planes.

Dorsal body cavity

Cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord; subdivided into cranial and vertebral cavities.

Cranial cavity

Cavity that contains the brain.

Vertebral (spinal) cavity

Cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Ventral body cavity

Front-facing body cavity; subdivided into thoracic and abdominal-pelvic cavities.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity housing organs such as the lungs and heart; contains pleural and pericardial subregions and mediastinum.

Mediastinum

Area between the lungs.

Diaphragm

Skeletal muscle forming boundary between thoracic and abdominal pelvic cavities.

RUQ

Majority of liver and gallbladder.

LUQ

Stomach and spleen.

RLQ

Portions of intestine, including appendix and cecum; ascending colon.

LLQ

Portions of intestine, including descending colon and sigmoid colon; portions of small intestine, urinary bladder and reproductive organs.

Cephalic region

Head

Cranial region

Skull

Oral region

Mouth

Mental region

Chin

Frontal region

Forehead

Nasal region

Nose

Ocular Region

Eye

Buccal Region

Cheek

Axillary region

Armpit

Brachial region

Upper arm

Antecubital region

Anterior elbow

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that amplifies change. (Ex. Child birth; cervix expanding)

Negative Feedback

A mechanism that restores stability and reestablishes homeostasis. (Ex. Sweating when overheating).

Stimulus

A change happens (something disrupts homeostasis).

Sensor (receptor)

Detects the change.

Control (integrator)

Typically the brain (hypothalamus) processes the information and decides what to do.

Effector

Organs, Glands, or Muscles that carry out a response.

Response

The body’s actions that brings conditions back to normal.

X-Ray (Radiography)

Uses X-Ray to produce 2D images of bones and dense tissues; fast, inexpensive, best for bones, chest, and teeth. Uses ionization radiation.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

Advanced X-Ray technique that takes many images from different angles and uses a computer to create a cross-sectional body image. Uses ionizing radiation.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissue. Great for brain, spinal cord, joints, and tumors. Doesn’t use ionizing radiation.

Ultrasound (Sonography)

Uses high frequency sound waves to produce live images of organs, blood flow, and soft tissues. Common in pregnancy and heart exams. Doesn’t use ionizing radiation.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)

Uses radioactive tracers to measure cell activity and organ function.Often used for cancer detection, brain studies, and heart health.

Fluoroscopy

Provides continuous, real-time X-Ray video to guide procedures such as angiograms, catheter placement, or GI studies.