Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major concepts, terms, and definitions from Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure or morphology of the body and its parts.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the body parts; how they work.

Metabolism

The total of physical and chemical processes that obtain, release, and use energy.

Movement

A fundamental characteristic of life; change in position of the body or a body part.

Responsiveness

Reaction to internal or external changes.

Growth

Increase in size without a change in shape.

Reproduction

Production of new organisms or new cells.

Respiration

Use of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide to produce energy.

Digestion

Breaking down of food into simpler forms.

Absorption

Movement of substances through membranes into body fluids.

Circulation

Movement of substances within body fluids.

Assimilation

Changing nutrients into chemically different forms for use.

Excretion

Removal of metabolic wastes from the body.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment; regulation via control systems.

Receptors

Sensors that monitor for changes in the internal environment.

Set point

Normal value or range for a given physiological condition.

Effectors

Muscles or glands that respond to changes to restore stability.

Negative feedback

Mechanisms that reverse a change, reducing deviation from the set point.

Positive feedback

Mechanisms that amplify a change, often moving away from the set point (e.g., childbirth, blood clotting).

Body cavities

Open spaces such as cranial, vertebral, thoracic, and abdominopelvic cavities.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Cranial cavity

Cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral cavity

Cavity that houses the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity that houses the heart and lungs; contains pleural and pericardial membranes.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Cavity that houses abdominal and pelvic organs; divided by the diaphragm.

Pleural membranes

Double-layered membranes around the lungs; parietal lines the cavity, visceral covers the lungs; serous fluid between.

Pericardial membranes

Membranes around the heart; parietal pericardium forms outer sac, visceral pericardium (epicardium) covers the heart.

Peritoneal membranes

Membranes lining the abdominopelvic cavity; parietal lines walls, visceral covers organs.

Integumentary system

Body covering (skin, hair, nails, glands) that protects, regulates temperature, and senses changes.

Skeletal system

Bones and ligaments; supports, protects, provides framework, stores salts, houses blood-forming tissues.

Muscular system

Muscles that produce movement, maintain posture, and generate heat.

Nervous system

Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sense organs; integrates information and directs responses.

Endocrine system

Glands and organs that secrete hormones to regulate metabolism.

Cardiovascular system

Heart and blood vessels; distributes oxygen, nutrients, hormones and removes wastes.

Lymphatic system

Lymph vessels, nodes, thymus, spleen; drains tissue fluid and supports immunity.

Digestive system

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs; digests and absorbs nutrients.

Respiratory system

Lungs and air passages; exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Urinary system

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; removes wastes and maintains water/electrolyte balance.

Reproductive system

Male and female systems; produce gametes and support offspring.

Anatomical position

Body is erect, facing forward, upper limbs at sides with palms forward.

Superior

Closer to the head or above another part.

Inferior

Lower than another part; toward the feet.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Median (midsagittal)

divides the body into equal right and left halves along the midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the sides.

Bilateral

Paired structures with one on each side.

Ipsilateral

Structures on the same side.

Contralateral

Structures on opposite sides.

Proximal (limbs)

Closer to the point of attachment or to a referenced part.

Distal (limbs)

Farther from the point of attachment or referenced part.

Superficial

Near the body surface.

Deep

More internal.

Sagittal section

A plane that divides the body into right and left portions; midsagittal if along the midline.

Midsagittal (median) section

Divides the body into equal right and left halves along the midline.

Parasagittal

A sagittal plane offset from the midline.

Transverse (horizontal) section

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal (coronal) section

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Cross section

A cut perpendicular to the long axis of a structure.

Oblique section

A cut at an angle other than 0 or 90 degrees to the long axis.

Longitudinal section

A cut along the long axis of a structure.

Nine regions of the abdomen

Epigastric; right/left hypochondriac; umbilical; right/left lumbar; pubic; right/left inguinal.

Abdominal quadrants

Right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower.

Body regions

Defined by anatomical divisions such as nine-region and quadrant systems.