Human Anatomy and Physiology Review

This set of 200 vocabulary flashcards covers essential concepts in human anatomy and physiology, spanning levels of organization, cell biology, histology, and the major organ systems from the provided lecture transcript.

Anatomy

The study focused on the structures and hierarchical relationships between different body parts.

Physiology

The study centered on the functions and coordinated mechanisms of how body parts work together.

Chemical Level

The most basic level of organization comprising atoms such as $C$, $H$, and $O$, and molecules like $H_2O$.

Cellular Level

The structural and functional unit level of life including specialized units like erythrocytes and neurons.

Tissue Level

A level of organization where groups of similar cells operate together to fulfill a shared function.

Organ Level

A structural level composed of multiple tissue types working together, such as the heart or kidneys.

Organ System Level

A level consisting of groups of organs that cooperate to perform complex related functions.

Organismal Level

The highest level representing the total human being formed by all integrated organ systems.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference where a person stands erect, facing forward, with arms at sides and palms facing ahead.

Sagittal Plane

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

Midsagittal Plane

A specific sagittal plane that splits the body into exactly equal left and right halves.

Frontal Plane

Also known as the coronal plane, it divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse Plane

An axial or horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Superior

A directional term meaning toward the head or the upper part of a structure.

Inferior

A directional term meaning toward the feet or the lower part of a structure.

Anterior

A directional term meaning toward the front or belly side of the body.

Posterior

A directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Medial

A directional term meaning toward the imaginary midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term meaning away from the midline toward the outer sides of the body.

Proximal

A term describing a position closer to the point of attachment or the body trunk.

Distal

A term describing a position farther from the point of attachment or the body trunk.

Superficial

A directional term meaning toward or at the body surface.

Deep

A directional term meaning away from the body surface, more internal.

Axial Region

The main axis of the body which includes the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Region

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

Cranial Cavity

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that encases and protects the brain.

Vertebral Cavity

A subdivision of the dorsal cavity that houses the spinal cord within the vertebral column.

Thoracic Cavity

A ventral cavity division containing the pleural and pericardial cavities for the lungs and heart.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

A ventral cavity division containing digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs.

Right Upper Quadrant

An abdominal quadrant containing the liver, gallbladder, and part of the pancreas.

Cell Theory

The scientific principle stating that all living things are made of cells that arise from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simple cells characterized by the absence of a membrane-bound nucleus.

Eukaryotic Cells

Complex cells that contain a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Cell Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer that manages homeostasis by controlling substance movement into and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like intracellular fluid that serves as the site for most cellular activities.

Nucleus

The cellular control center that houses genetic material and directs protein synthesis.

Nucleolus

A dense structure inside the nucleus responsible for producing ribosomal RNA.

Ribosomes

Small organelles, either free or attached, that serve as the primary sites of protein synthesis.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of membranes studded with ribosomes involved in protein synthesis and transport.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Membranous tubules involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and $Ca^{2+}$ storage.

Golgi Apparatus

A stack of membranes that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell where ATP is generated through the process of cellular respiration.

Lysosomes

Vesicles containing digestive enzymes used to break down worn-out organelles and foreign substances.

Peroxisomes

Vesicles containing oxidative enzymes that detoxify harmful substances within the cell.

Centrioles

Cylindrical structures located near the nucleus that organize spindle fibers during cell division.

Cytoskeleton

An internal framework of microtubules and filaments that maintains cell shape.

Cilia

Short hair-like projections on the cell surface used to move substances across the exterior.

Flagella

Long projections used for cell motility, such as the tail on a sperm cell.

Passive Transport

The movement of substances across a membrane without the expenditure of cellular energy.

Active Transport

The movement of substances against a concentration gradient requiring the use of ATP.

Mitosis

Somatic cell division resulting in two daughter cells genetically identical to the parent cell.

Meiosis

A specialized cell division that produces four haploid gametes with half the original chromosome count.

Histology

The microscopic study of the structure and function of tissues.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type that covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.

Connective Tissue

A diverse tissue type that provides support, protection, and binds other tissues together.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue composed of elongated fibers specialized for contraction and producing movement.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue containing neurons and neuroglia that transmits electrical impulses for communication.

Squamous

A flat, scale-like cell shape found in certain epithelial tissues.

Cuboidal

A cube-shaped cell generally found as a single layer in secretory or absorptive tissues.

Columnar

Tall, pillar-like cells used for protection and absorption in the digestive tract.

Simple Epithelium

An epithelial arrangement consisting of only one layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

An epithelial arrangement consisting of two or more layers of cells.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle tissue typically attached to bones.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle tissue found only in the myocardium of the heart.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue found in the walls of hollow organs.

Neurons

Specialized nervous system cells that generate and conduct electrical signals.

Neuroglia

Supporting cells of the nervous system that nourish and protect neurons.

Joints

Points of articulation where two or more bones meet to allow movement and stability.

Ligaments

Dense fibrous connective tissue bands that connect bone to bone.

Tendons

Dense fibrous connective tissue cords that attach muscle to bone.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation occurring within the red bone marrow.

Compact Bone

Dense, strong outer layer of bone organized into structural units called osteons.

Spongy Bone

Porous internal bone tissue containing trabeculae and red bone marrow.

Osteoblasts

Bone-building cells that secrete the organic components of the bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells located in lacunae that maintain the existing bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Large multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption and mineral release.

Periosteum

A protective outer covering of bone containing nerves, blood vessels, and osteogenic cells.

Endosteum

A thin membrane lining the internal medullary cavity and trabeculae of bones.

Ossification

The physiological process of bone formation and development.

Bone Remodeling

A life-long process where bone is continuously resorbed and deposited to maintain strength.

Agonist

The prime mover muscle primarily responsible for producing a specific motion.

Antagonist

A muscle that opposes or reverses the movement of the prime mover.

Sarcomere

The smallest functional contractile unit of a muscle fiber found between two Z-lines.

Actin

The thin protein filament within a sarcomere that contains binding sites for myosin.

Myosin

The thick protein filament within a sarcomere that pulls actin toward the center during contraction.

Accessory Organs

Digestive structures like the liver and pancreas that aid digestion without being part of the GI tract tube.

Ingestion

The process of taking food into the digestive system via the mouth.

Peristalsis

Successive waves of muscle contraction that move food through the alimentary canal.

Chyme

The semifluid mass of partially digested food and gastric juice found in the stomach.

Pituitary Gland

Known as the master gland, it regulates other endocrine glands and various body processes.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart wall responsible for pumping blood.

Arteries

Thick-walled, elastic vessels that transport blood away from the heart.

Veins

Thin-walled vessels containing valves that transport blood back toward the heart.

Capillaries

Microscopic vessels where gas, nutrient, and waste exchange occurs between blood and tissues.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where external respiration takes place.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

Spermatogenesis

The production of spermatozoa occurring in the seminiferous tubules over approximately $64-74$ days.

Oogenesis

The biological process of producing female gametes, or ova, within the ovaries.

Lymph

A clear fluid that drains from tissues and is returned to the venous circulation.

Innate Immunity

The body's non-specific, first line of defense involving physical barriers and general cellular responses.