Lecture 1: Introduction to the study of anatomy and physiology (EPBIOL259)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from Lecture 1: Introduction to anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the human body, including internal and external features.

Physiology

The science of the functions and vital processes of living organisms and their parts.

Anatomical position

Standard reference position: standing upright, facing forward, feet parallel, arms at sides with palms facing forward.

Gross anatomy

Study of structures visible to the naked eye; macroscopic anatomy.

Histology

Study of tissues at the microscopic level.

Histopathology

Microscopic examination of tissues for disease.

Surface anatomy

External features of the body studied by observation and palpation.

Systemic anatomy

Study of one organ system at a time.

Regional anatomy

Study of multiple organ systems in a specific region.

Comparative anatomy

Comparison of anatomy across species to identify similarities and differences.

Palpation

Feeling structures with fingertips to assess size, texture, or tenderness.

Auscultation

Listening to internal body sounds (e.g., heart and lungs) with a stethoscope.

Inspection

Visual examination of the body or its surfaces.

Dissection

Cutting and separation of tissues to reveal relationships.

Section

A cut or slice used to reveal internal anatomy.

Plane

An imaginary flat surface that divides the body into regions or sections.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions; median/midsagittal if equal halves; parasagittal if unequal.

Median (midsagittal) plane

Sagittal plane that passes through the midline and divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.

Anatomical position importance

Provides a frame of reference for describing locations and directions in anatomy.

Axial region

Head, neck, and trunk; everything but the limbs.

Appendicular region

Limbs and their girdles (shoulder girdle and pelvis).

Pleura

Two-layer serous membranes surrounding the lungs.

Pericardium

Two-layered serous membrane surrounding the heart.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the peritoneal cavity; parietal lines the abdominal wall and visceral covers viscera; mesentery suspends viscera.

Mesentery

Structure that attaches and suspends abdominal viscera from the body wall.

Intraperitoneal

Organs enclosed by peritoneum and suspended by mesenteries.

Retroperitoneal

Organs located behind the peritoneum against the posterior body wall.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity in the chest containing heart and lungs; separated from the abdominopelvic cavity by the diaphragm.

Mediastinum

Central compartment of the thoracic cavity containing the heart, trachea, esophagus, and major vessels.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Cavity containing abdominal and pelvic organs; divided by the pelvic inlet.

Cranial cavity

Enclosed by the skull; contains the brain.

Vertebral (spinal) canal

Space within the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Meninges

Protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Mucous membrane

Lining of cavities open to the external environment; secretes mucus.

Serous membranes

Thin membranes that line ventral cavities and cover viscera, secreting serous fluid.

Viscera

Internal organs within a body cavity.

Parietal peritoneum

Parietal layer lining the abdominal wall.

Visceral peritoneum

Visceral layer covering abdominal organs.

Organ system

Group of organs that work together to perform vital functions; humans have 11.

Tissue

A group of similar cells and their products that perform a specific function; four main types: epithelial, connective, nervous, muscular.

Cell

Smallest unit of life; contains a nucleus and organelles.

Organ

Structure composed of two or more tissue types that performs a specific function.

Organelles

Microscopic structures inside cells that perform particular functions.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together; building block of matter.

Atom

Smallest unit of an element.

Word root

Core meaning of a term (e.g., cardi- means heart).

Prefix

Word element at the beginning of a term that modifies its meaning.

Suffix

Word element at the end of a term that modifies its meaning.

Negative feedback

Regulatory mechanism that reverses a deviation from a set point to maintain homeostasis; reduces the initial stimulus.

Positive feedback

Regulatory mechanism that amplifies change in the same direction; can be normal in processes like childbirth.

Homeostasis

Dynamic maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.