Unit 1: Organizing Principles of A&P

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental anatomy and physiology concepts, anatomical terminology, homeostatic feedback mechanisms, and compartmentalization.

Anatomy

The study of biological structure.

Physiology

The study of biological function.

Cytology

The subdiscipline of anatomy focused on the study of cells.

Histology

The subdiscipline of anatomy focused on the study of tissues.

Gross Anatomy

The branch of anatomy concerned with biological structures visible to the naked eye, such as bones, organs, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.

Human Anatomical Position

The standard point of reference in which a person stands upright with feet parallel on the floor, head level, eyes facing forward, arms at the sides of the body, and palms facing outward.

Axial Structures

Anatomical body regions consisting of the head and trunk.

Appendicular Structures

Anatomical body regions consisting of the limbs (arms and legs).

Anatomical Sections

Planes of sectioning (transverse, coronal, sagittal, and midsagittal) used to view internal body structures from specific visual perspectives.

Homeostasis

A state of dynamic balance in which an organism maintains relatively constant internal conditions necessary for life within a narrow range.

Negative Feedback Loop

A homeostatic control mechanism in which the system's response negates or opposes the initial stimulus to restore the set point.

Positive Feedback Loop

A physiological control mechanism in which the response amplifies and reinforces the initial stimulus, disrupting homeostasis until an outside factor stops the cycle.

Feed Forward Response

A physiological mechanism in which the body initiates a response in anticipation of a change, having neither a positive nor a negative impact on the initial stimulus.

Compartmentalization

The physical separation of body spaces, organs, or cellular regions to maintain unique setpoints and microenvironments essential for homeostasis.

Body Cavities

Internal fluid-filled spaces (such as the thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, cranial, and vertebral cavities) that house and protect specific organ systems.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Body fluid located outside cells, comprised primarily of interstitial fluid and blood plasma.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Body fluid contained within the internal environment of cells, consisting mainly of cytosol.