Chapter 1: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts of anatomy and physiology, including organ systems, anatomical directions/planes, body cavities, and homeostatic feedback mechanisms.

Anatomy

Describes the structures of the body, what they are made of, where they are located, and how they relate to each other.

Physiology

The study of the functions of anatomical structures.

Levels of Organization

The hierarchy of complexity in the body: Atom, Chemical (or Molecular) Level, Organelle, Cellular Level, Tissue Level, Organ Level, and System Level.

Lymphatic System

Returns fluid to blood and defends against pathogens; major organs include the thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, and lymphatic vessels.

Respiratory System

Removes carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) from the body and delivers oxygen ($O_2$) to blood; major organs include the nasal passage, trachea, and lungs.

Digestive System

Processes food for use by the body and removes wastes from undigested food; major organs include the stomach, liver, gall bladder, large intestine, and small intestine.

Urinary System

Controls water balance in the body and removes wastes from blood and excretes them; major organs include the kidneys and urinary bladder.

Integumentary System

Encloses internal body structures and is the site of many sensory receptors; includes hair, skin, and nails.

Skeletal System

Supports the body and enables movement with the muscular system; includes cartilage, bones, and joints.

Muscular System

Enables movement with the skeletal system and helps maintain body temperature; includes skeletal muscles and tendons.

Nervous System

Detects and processes sensory information and activates bodily responses; includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Endocrine System

Secretes hormones and regulates bodily processes; major organs include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries.

Cardiovascular System

Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and equalizes temperature in the body; includes the heart and blood vessels.

Anatomical Position

A standard position where the body is erect, hands are at the sides, palms are forward, and feet are apart.

Superior vs. Inferior

Superior describes a structure above another; inferior describes a structure below another.

Cranial vs. Caudal

Cranial refers toward the head; caudal refers toward the tail (coccyx).

Proximal vs. Distal

Proximal means closer to the point of attachment/trunk; distal means farther from the point of attachment/trunk.

Medial vs. Lateral

Medial means toward the midline of the body; lateral means away from the midline.

Anterior (Ventral) vs. Posterior (Dorsal)

Anterior (ventral) refers to the front of the body; posterior (dorsal) refers to the back of the body.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A sectional plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal Plane

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

Transverse Plane

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

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

The four divisions of the abdomen: Right upper quadrant (RUQ), Left upper quadrant (LUQ), Right lower quadrant (RLQ), and Left lower quadrant (LLQ).

Dorsal Body Cavity

Consists of the cranial cavity and the vertebral cavity, both of which are lined by meninges.

Ventral Body Cavity

Contains both the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities, divided by the diaphragm.

Pleural Cavity

The thoracic cavity subdivisions for the lungs, consisting of the visceral pleura (covers lungs) and parietal pleura (covers the inside of the cavity).

Mediastinum

An area of the thoracic cavity containing the trachea, esophagus, and thymus; its lower portion contains the pericardial cavity and the heart.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane of the abdominopelvic cavity; the parietal peritoneum lines the internal body wall, and the visceral peritoneum covers the organs.

Homeostasis

The process by which all body systems work together to maintain a stable internal environment during internal or external changes.

Negative Feedback

A corrective mechanism that brings the body back into homeostasis by achieving a normal range (e.g., sweating to cool down or shivering to warm up).

Insulin

A hormone that pushes blood sugar back down when it gets too high.

Glucagon

A hormone that pushes blood sugar back up when it gets too low.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that moves the body away from homeostasis and amplifies changes to speed up processes, such as in labor or blood clotting.