Human Anatomy & Physiology – Video Notes Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts from the video notes on human anatomy and physiology, including body organization, directional terms, planes, cavities, organ systems, life processes, and historical context.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body: shapes, sizes, and organization of its parts.

Physiology

The study of how the body's parts function and interact to sustain life.

Homeostasis

The body’s steady-state physiological condition maintained by self-regulating control systems.

Receptor

A sensor that detects a change in a variable and sends information to a control center.

Control Center

The component that processes input and determines an appropriate response (often the brain).

Effector

An organ or cell that responds to a command from the control center to restore balance.

Stimulus

A change that disrupts homeostasis and triggers a response.

Imbalance

A deviation from a set point in a homeostatic system.

Negative Feedback

A control mechanism in which the output reduces the original stimulus, restoring set point.

Positive Feedback

A control mechanism in which the output amplifies the original stimulus, often driving a process to completion.

Set Point

The desired value or condition that homeostasis maintains for a variable.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference position: body erect, feet forward, palms forward; left/right refer to the observer’s frame of reference.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

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

Parasagittal Plane

A sagittal plane parallel to the midline but offset, dividing the body into unequal right and left portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Superior

Toward the head; the upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Toward the feet; the lower part of a structure.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the body's sides.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of attachment.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the surface; toward the interior of the body.

Ventral

Toward the belly side (anterior in humans).

Dorsal

Toward the back side (posterior in humans).

Dorsal Body Cavity

Cavity that houses the brain and spinal cord (cranial and vertebral canals).

Ventral Body Cavity

Cavity that houses the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Dorsal body cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

Dorsal body cavity that houses the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Ventral cavity above the diaphragm housing the heart and lungs; subdivided into pleural, mediastinum, and pericardial cavities.

Pleural Cavity

Part of the thoracic cavity that contains the lungs.

Mediastinum

Central part of the thoracic cavity between the lungs; contains the heart, trachea, esophagus, etc.

Pericardial Cavity

Within the mediastinum; surrounds the heart.

Abdominal Cavity

Upper portion of the ventral cavity containing digestive organs; lined by peritoneum.

Pelvic Cavity

Lower portion of the ventral cavity containing bladder and reproductive organs.

Peritoneum

Membrane lining of the abdominal cavity (visceral and parietal layers).

Visceral Peritoneum

Peritoneal layer covering abdominal organs.

Parietal Peritoneum

Peritoneal layer lining the abdominal cavity walls.

Abdominopelvic Regions

Nine-region grid (umbilical, epigastric, hypogastric, right/left hypochondriac, right/left lumbar, right/left iliac) for locating organs.

Umbilical Region

Center region around the navel.

Epigastric Region

Upper central region above the stomach.

Hypogastric Region

Lower central region below the stomach.

Right Hypochondriac

Upper-right region near the liver.

Left Hypochondriac

Upper-left region near the spleen/stomach.

Right Lumbar

Middle-right region near the kidneys.

Left Lumbar

Middle-left region near the kidneys.

Right Iliac

Lower-right region near the coxal bone.

Left Iliac

Lower-left region near the coxal bone.

Axial Region

Head, neck, and trunk—the central axis of the body.

Appendicular Region

Limbs (arms and legs) and their girdles.

Nasal

Anterior region: nose.

Orbital

Anterior region: eyes.

Cervical

Anterior region: neck.

Acromial

Anterior region: shoulder.

Axillary

Anterior region: armpit.

Brachial

Anterior region: arm (shoulder to elbow).

Antecubital

Anterior region: front of the elbow.

Carpal

Anterior region: wrist.

Digital

Anterior region: fingers or toes.

Patellar

Anterior region: front of the knee.

Frontal

Anterior region: forehead.

Buccal

Anterior region: cheek.

Femoral

Anterior region: front of the thigh.

Otic

Posterior region: ear.

Occipital

Posterior region: base of the skull.

Scapular

Posterior region: shoulder blade.

Olecranal

Posterior region: elbow (funny bone).

Perineal

Posterior region: between anus and genitalia.

Sacral

Posterior region: between hips.

Popliteal

Posterior region: back of the knee.

Plantar

Posterior region: sole of the foot.

Fossa

A depression or dent in a bone.

Process

A projection or outgrowth on a bone.

Acromion Process

Outer extremo of the scapula; shoulder point.

Olecranon Process

The bony prominence of the elbow.

Synovial Cavities

Joint cavities that secrete synovial fluid for smooth movement.

Integumentary System

Skin and its appendages (hair, nails, glands); protects, regulates temperature, and provides sensation.

Skeletal System

Bones, ligaments, and cartilage; supports, protects, aids movement, forms blood cells, stores minerals.

Muscular System

Muscles; produce movement, maintain posture, generate heat.

Nervous System

Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sense organs; uses nerve impulses to coordinate function and maintain homeostasis.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones; regulates body functions via chemical signals.

Cardiovascular System

Heart, arteries, veins, and blood; transports substances throughout the body.

Lymphatic/Immune System

Lymph vessels/nodes, thymus, spleen; defends against disease and returns tissue fluid to blood.

Digestive System

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, etc.; breaks down and absorbs nutrients.

Respiratory System

Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs; moves air and exchanges gases.

Excretory/Urinary System

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra; removes wastes and maintains fluid/electrolyte balance.

Reproductive System

Male and female organs that produce gametes and support offspring.

Levels of Organization

Atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms; cells are the basic unit of life.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter in chemistry.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Macromolecule

Large, complex molecules (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids) built from smaller molecules.

Cell

The basic unit of life; smallest unit capable of independent life.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform a specific function.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more tissue types that performs a specific function.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together to perform major functions.

Regional Terms

Divisions of the body into axial and appendicular regions for descriptive purposes.