Human Anatomy and Physiology Comprehensive Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic anatomy and physiology, including cell biology, tissues, organ systems (Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive), and specific anatomical structures.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the human body, derived from the Greek words "ana" (up) and "tomy" (cutting).

Physiology

The study of how the human body functions.

Integumentary System

The body system comprising the skin, subcutaneous tissue, hair, nails, and glands; it serves as the first line of defense.

Metabolism

One of the six essential life processes; it includes all chemical processes occurring in the body, such as breaking down and building up molecules.

Anatomical Position

A standard reference posture: standing upright, facing forward, upper limbs at sides with palms facing forward, and feet flat.

Proximal vs. Distal

Directional terms primarily used for limbs; Proximal indicates closer to the torso, while Distal indicates further away.

Sagittal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into right and left sides.

Serous Membranes

Double-layered membranes (parietal and visceral) that surround organs to reduce friction, such as the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum.

Epithelial Tissue

Tightly packed, avascular tissue that covers body surfaces and makes up the secreting portion of glands.

Connective Tissue

Tissue characterized by cells separated by an extracellular matrix; it supports, connects, and nourishes other tissues.

Tight Junctions

Web-like proteins that stitch plasma membranes together to seal off passageways between adjacent cells.

Desmosomes

Junctions that use keratin intermediate filaments to provide mechanical resistance, commonly found in the skin and cardiac muscle.

Avascular

A characteristic of tissue lacking blood vessels, such as epithelial tissue and cartilage.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Multiple layers of flat cells; can be keratinized (skin) or non-keratinized (esophagus, vagina).

Fibroblasts

The most common cells in connective tissue; they produce protein fibers and ground substance.

Hyaline Cartilage

The most abundant type of cartilage in the body; tough yet flexible, found in the nose, trachea, and at joints.

Keratinocytes

The predominant cell type in the epidermis that produces keratin for toughness and resistance.

Melanocytes

Cells found in the stratum basale that produce melanin to protect against UV damage and determine skin color.

Stratum Lucidum

The translucent layer of the epidermis found only in thick skin (palms and soles).

Arrector Pili

Smooth muscle associated with hair follicles that contracts to cause goosebumps.

Osteoblasts

Cells "Born to Build Bone"; they produce the extracellular matrix and initiate calcification.

Osteoclasts

Multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption by crushing and breaking down bone tissue.

Intramembranous Ossification

The process of bone development directly from mesenchymal sheets, forming most skull bones and the lateral clavicle.

Endochondral Ossification

The process of bone development where hyaline cartilage is replaced by bone; occurs in all bones below the skull (except the clavicle).

Epiphyses

The proximal and distal ends of a long bone.

Osteon

The basic structural unit of compact bone, consisting of concentric lamellae surrounding a central canal.

Sesamoid Bones

Bones that develop within tendons, such as the patella.

Axial Skeleton

The 80 bones forming the vertical central axis, including the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra, which lacks a body and spinous process; it allows for the "yes" head motion.

Floating Ribs

Pair 11 and 12 (vertebral ribs) that do not connect to the sternum.

Pectoral Girdle

The attachment point for upper limbs to the axial skeleton, consisting of the scapula and clavicle.

Radius

The lateral bone of the forearm (on the thumb side) that articulates with the capitulum of the humerus.

Acetabulum

The deep socket in the hip bone (os coxa) where the head of the femur articulates.

Synovial Joints

Freely movable (diarthrotic) joints characterized by a cavity filled with synovial fluid.

Abduction

The movement of a limb away from the body's midline.

Afferent Neurons

Sensory neurons that transmit information "Arriving" at the Central Nervous System.

Action Potential

An electrical signal (nerve impulse) generated by the rapid depolarization of a cell membrane.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells in the Central Nervous System that create myelin sheaths for multiple axon segments.

Saltatory Conduction

The rapid "jumping" of a nerve impulse from one Node of Ranvier to the next in myelinated neurons.

Meninges

The three protective membranes of the CNS: dura mater (outer), arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (inner).

Thalamus

The "secretary" of the cerebral cortex; the largest nucleus in the brain that relays 95% of sensory information.

Vagus Nerve (CN X)

The longest cranial nerve, which "wanders" throughout the thoracic and abdominal cavities to provide autonomic control.

Choroid Plexus

The vascularized membrane within brain ventricles that produces Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).

Nociceptors

Tonic sensory receptors that detect pain and tissue damage.

Sarcomere

The basic functional unit of skeletal muscle contraction, spanning from one Z line to the next.

Acetylcholine (Ach)

The neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction to trigger muscle depolarization.

Myoglobin

A red-pigmented protein in muscle cells that stores oxygen for ATP production.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle representing contraction of the heart chambers.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The natural pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrium, that initiates the electrical impulse.

Tunica Media

The middle layer of blood vessels, primarily composed of smooth muscle, which regulates vessel diameter.

Alveoli

Tiny, thin-walled sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs.

Peristalsis

The forward-squeezing wave of muscular contractions that moves food along the alimentary canal.

Hepatic Portal System

A venous network that directs nutrient-rich blood from the digestive tract and spleen to the liver for processing.

Nephron

The microscopic structural and functional filtration unit of the kidney.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone (vasopressin) that increases water reabsorption in the DCT and collecting ducts to concentrate urine and raise blood pressure.

Epididymis

The coiled duct atop the testis where sperm cells mature and are stored until ejaculation.

Endometrium

The inner mucosal lining of the uterus, which thickens and sheds during the uterine cycle.

Corpus Luteum

The "yellow body" formed from a ruptured follicle that secretes progesterone to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.