An Introduction to the Human Body

These flashcards cover the foundational concepts of human anatomy and physiology, including levels of organization, life processes, systems of the body, homeostasis, and anatomical terminology.

Anatomy

The scientific discipline that investigates the structure of the body, internal and external, and their relationships with each other; literally means "to cut apart."

Gross Anatomy

The study of structures that can be examined without the aid of a microscope, divided into systemic and regional approaches.

Systemic Anatomy

A basic approach to the study of anatomy that examines the body system by system, such as the cardiovascular or skeletal systems.

Regional Anatomy

A basic approach to the study of anatomy that examines the organization of the body by areas, where all systems in a specific region are studied simultaneously.

Surface Anatomy

The study of external features which serve as landmarks for locating deeper structures.

Anatomical Imaging

Involves the use of technologies like x-rays, ultrasound, and MRI to create pictures of internal structures.

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

The first medical scientist to use X-rays to see inside the body in $1895$.

Physiology

The scientific discipline that deals with the functions of living things.

Cell Physiology

Examines the processes occurring in cells, such as energy production from food.

Pathology

Derived from the Greek "Pathos" (suffering) and "Logos" (study), it is the study of disease, including its cause and development.

Rudolf Virchow

The "Father of Modern Pathology" who applied cell theory to disease, proposing that diseases originate in individual cells.

Pathophysiology

The study of how disease affects the normal functioning of the body.

Etiology

The study of the causes of disease, categorized as genetic (inherited or acquired mutations) or environmental (infectious agents, nutritional deficiencies).

Pathogenesis

The sequence of molecular, biochemical, and cellular events leading to a disease.

Morphological Changes

Structural alterations in cells or tissues that are diagnostic of a disease.

Chemical Level

The level of structural organization where atoms, such as $C, H, O, N, P$, combine to form molecules like $DNA$.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body, consisting of catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down large molecules into smaller ones to release energy.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of synthesizing large molecules from smaller ones, requiring the uptake of energy.

Differentiation

The basic life process involving the development of a cell from an unspecialized to a specialized state.

Hematopoiesis

The site of blood cell formation, which occurs within the skeletal system.

Endocrine System

The system that secretes regulatory hormones for growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

Homeostasis

The existence and maintenance of a relatively constant environment within the body despite fluctuations in the external or internal environment.

Negative Feedback

A feedback mechanism where an increase in a product decreases the activity of the system and the production rate.

Positive Feedback

A feedback mechanism where an increase in a product also increases the activity of the system and the production rate, such as oxytocin during childbirth.

Sign

Objective changes in body structure or function that a clinician can observe and measure.

Symptom

Subjective changes in body functions that are perceived by the patient but not apparent to an observer.

Axial Portion

The central part of the body consisting of the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

The part of the body consisting of the upper and lower limbs.

Serous Membranes

Double-layered membranes that line ventral body cavities and cover internal organs to prevent friction.

Parietal Serosa

The layer of a serous membrane that lines the walls of the body cavities.

Visceral Serosa

The layer of a serous membrane that covers the outer surface of organs (viscera) within the body cavity.

Anatomical Position

The body is standing erect, face directed forward, feet slightly apart, upper extremities at the side, and palms facing forward.

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure; also called cranial or cephalad.

Inferior

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure; also called caudal.

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body or an organ into right and left sides.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

A plane that divides the body or an organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.