HUBS191 - Human Body Systems Vocabulary Review

This set of flashcards covers the vocabulary related to human body systems taught in HUBS191, providing definitions and key concepts essential for understanding the material.

Homeostasis

The process by which a stable internal environment is maintained within the body.

Feedback

Responses from the body that attempt to move a controlled variable back to a normal set point.

Homeostasis

The process by which a stable internal environment is maintained within the body.

Feedback

Responses from the body that attempt to move a controlled variable back to a normal set point.

Feedforward

Responses that occur in anticipation of an event that will alter a controlled variable.

Anatomical Position

A standard position of the body: upright, face forwards, feet together, palms facing forwards.

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle between body parts.

Extension

Movement that increases the angle between body parts.

Dorsiflexion

Movement that raises the toes upward.

Plantarflexion

Movement that points the toes downward.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.

Circumduction

Circular movement that involves flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Rotation

Movement around a joint's long axis.

Pronation

Rotation that turns palms to face posterior.

Supination

Rotation that turns palms to face anterior.

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot toward the midline.

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot away from the midline.

Compact Bone

Dense, strong bone that transmits force in one direction.

Cancellous (trabecular) Bone

Light, spongy bone that absorbs shock.

Long Bones

Bones longer than they are wide, acting as levers in movement.

Short Bones

Bones that are roughly equal in width and length; provide support.

Flat Bones

Bones that are thin and often involved in muscle attachment.

Irregular Bones

Bones that do not fit into the other categories due to unique shapes.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that consists of the skull, ribs, and vertebral column.

Pelvic Girdle

The structure that connects the spine to the lower limbs.

Osteogenic Cells

Stem cells that develop into osteoblasts.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue.

Osteoblasts

Cells that produce new bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down bone tissue.

Trabeculae

Struts of lamellar bone in cancellous bone that provides structural support.

Bone Homeostasis

The process by which bone tissue is continuously remodeled to maintain mineral balance.

Osteoporosis

A condition where bones become weak and brittle, often due to hormonal changes.

Endochondral Ossification

The process of bone development from a cartilage model.

Hyaline Cartilage

Smooth, glassy cartilage that covers bone ends and reduces friction in joints.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage that contains fibrous bundles of collagen; acts as a buffer in joints.

Ligaments

Connective tissue that connects bones to other bones and restricts movement.

Tendons

Connective tissue that connects muscles to bones.

Synovial Joints

The most common type of joint, allowing for free movement.

Articular Cartilage

Cartilage that covers the ends of bones in a joint.

Joint Capsule

The fibrous tissue that encloses a joint.

Synovial Fluid

Fluid secreted by the synovial membrane that lubricates joints.

Range of Motion (ROM)

The degree to which a joint can move.

Condylar Joint

A joint that allows movement in two planes, such as the knee.

Saddle Joint

A biaxial joint that allows movement in two planes.

Ball and Socket Joint

A multiaxial joint that allows for rotation as well as flexion and extension.

Action Potential (AP)

A rapid change in membrane potential that initiates muscle contraction.

T Tubules

Extensions of the muscle cell membrane that transmit action potentials deep into the fiber.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR)

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells, responsible for storing calcium.

Excitation-Contraction Coupling

The process linking the AP in muscle fibers to contraction.

Cross-Bridge Cycle

The cycle in which myosin heads attach to actin, pull, and detach.

Isometric Contraction

Muscle contraction without a change in length.

Eccentric Contraction

Muscle contraction that lengthens the muscle under tension.

Concentric Contraction

Muscle contraction that shortens the muscle while producing force.

Agonist Muscle

The primary muscle responsible for movement.

Antagonist Muscle

The muscle that opposes the action of the agonist.

Stabilizer Muscle

A muscle that stabilizes a joint during movement.

Neutralizer Muscle

A muscle that eliminates unwanted movement caused by another muscle.

Joint Congruence

The degree of fit between two bone surfaces at a joint.

Flexibility

The ability of a joint to move through its range of motion.

Tonicity

The effect a solution has on cell volume.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solutes is equal, causing no net movement of water.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution that has a higher concentration of solutes than the cell.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than the cell.

Excitable Tissues

Tissues capable of changing their membrane potential.

Sodium (Na+)

The main extracellular cation important for action potentials and fluid balance.

Potassium (K+)

The main intracellular cation, essential for resting membrane potential.

Calcium (Ca2+)

A mineral important for muscle contraction and neurotransmission.

Glucose

A sugar used by cells for energy production.

Muscle Fibre

The functional unit of skeletal muscle, capable of contraction.

Myofibril

Bundles of contractile proteins within muscle fibers.

Myofilament

The smallest contractile protein structures in muscle, made of actin and myosin.

Sarcoplasm

The cytoplasm of muscle cells.

Triad

A structure formed by a T-tubule and two terminal cisternae of the SR.

Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ)

The synapse between a motor neuron and muscle fiber.

Motor Unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates.

Tetanic Contraction

A sustained muscle contraction resulting from high-frequency stimulation.

Recruitment

The activation of additional motor units to increase muscle strength.

Length-Tension Relationship

The relationship that determines the optimal length for muscle contraction.

Joint Stability

The ability of a joint to maintain its position and resist displacement.

Rotational Movement

Movement around a central axis or joint.

Joint Mechanics

The study of how joints and muscles interact during movement.

Gait Cycle

The sequence of movements that occur in walking.

Bipedal Gait

The manner of walking on two legs.

connective tissue

A type of tissue that supports, binds, or separates other tissues and organs in the body.

epitheleal tissue

A type of tissue that covers body surfaces and lines cavities and organs.

muscle tissue

A type of tissue that is responsible for the movement of the body and is categorized into three types: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.

osteon

The fundamental structural unit of compact bone, consisting of a central canal surrounded by concentric layers of mineralized matrix and bone cells called osteocytes.

secondary ossifictation centre

A site in a developing bone where ossification occurs after the primary ossification center, contributing to the growth and development of long bones.

primary ossifcation centre

The initial site in a developing bone where ossification begins, crucial for the formation of long bones.

pivot joint

A type of joint that allows for rotational movement around a single axis, such as the neck or forearm.