AnaPhy Notes: The Human Organism and Homeostasis

Comprehensive vocabulary list covering definitions of anatomy and physiology, levels of structural organization, characteristics of life, organ system functions, homeostatic mechanisms, and anatomical terminology/directional planes.

Anatomy

Means to dissect, or cut apart and separate and is the study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts and their relationships to one another.

Systemic anatomy

The study of the body by systems, such as the cardiovascular, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems.

Regional anatomy

The study of the organization of the body by areas within each region.

Surface anatomy

The study of external features, such as bony projections.

Developmental anatomy

The study of structural changes from conception to adulthood.

Anatomical Imaging

Uses radiographs and other technology to create pictures of internal structures.

Physiology

The study of how the body part works and performs.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment; a dynamic state of equilibrium.

Stimulus

Any disruption that changes the controlled condition.

Tissues

Similar types of cells classified into four types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.

Organs

Made up of two or more tissues that perform one or more common functions.

Organism

Any living thing considered to be a whole; the human organism is composed of dependent organ systems.

Organization

A characteristic of life that maintains living organism’s boundaries so that its “inside” remains distinct from its “outside.”

Metabolism

Refers to all chemical reactions that occur within the body and all of its cells, including catabolism and anabolism.

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to sense change in their environment and adapt to it.

Differentiation

Changes of cell structure and function from an immature, generalized state to a mature, specialized one.

Morphogenesis

The change in shape of tissues, organs, and the entire organism.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A disturbance in homeostasis resulting in disease.

Receptor (Afferent pathway)

Responds to changes in the environment (stimuli) and sends information to the control center.

Control center (Efferent)

Determines the set point, analyzes information, and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

Provides a means for response to the stimulus.

Negative-feedback

A homeostatic mechanism that shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity, such as maintaining body temperature.

Positive-feedback

Increases the original stimulus to push the controlled condition farther to achieve homeostasis, such as uterine contractions during labor.

Anatomical position

Person standing erect with the face directed forward, upper limbs hanging on the sides, and palms of the hands facing forward.

Supine

Lying facing up.

Prone

Lying facing down.

Superior (Cephalic)

Toward the head or the upper part of the body.

Inferior (Caudal)

Toward the feet or lower part of the body.

Anterior (Ventral)

Towards the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the body’s midline.

Lateral

Away from the body’s midline.

Proximal

Closer to the attachment or trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or trunk.

Superficial

Toward or on the surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Mental

Chin region.

Otic

Ear region.

Axillary

Armpit region.

Brachial

Upper arm region.

Carpal

Wrist region.

Pollex

Thumb.

Coxal

Hip region.

Crural

Leg (lower leg) region.

Sural

Calf region.

Plantar

Sole of foot.

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into left & right.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

Divides the midline body into equal left & right halves.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Divides body into front (anterior) & back (posterior) portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Divides body into upper (superior) & lower (inferior) portions.

Oblique plane

Cuts the body at an angle.