Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental terms, core themes, organizational levels, organ systems, body cavities, homeostatic mechanisms, anatomical terminology, relative positions, and sections from Chapter 01.

Anatomy

The study of the structure/morphology of the human body and its parts, derived from Greek for 'a cutting up'.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the human body and its parts, derived from Greek for 'relationship to nature'.

Atom

Tiny particles that make up chemicals, such as hydrogen and carbon.

Molecule

Particles consisting of atoms joined together, such as water and glucose.

Macromolecule

Large particles consisting of molecules, such as DNA and proteins.

Organelle

A functional part of a cell, such as a mitochondrion or lysosome.

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in living systems, such as a muscle, nerve, or blood cell.

Tissue

A layer or mass of cells with a specific function, such as adipose or epithelial tissue.

Organ

A group of different tissues that performs a specific function, such as the heart, kidney, or stomach.

Organ System

A group of organs with a common function, such as the digestive system.

Organism

A living entity composed of interacting organ systems.

Ultrasound

A noninvasive procedure using high-frequency sound waves to provide images of soft internal structures, such as a sonogram of a fetus in the uterus.

Magnetic Resonance Scan (MR)

A noninvasive procedure using a magnetic field to change the alignment and spin of certain atoms, providing high-resolution images of internal structures such as the brain.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable, constant internal environment in the body.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in a living system, involving energy production and nutrient cycling.

Receptor

A component of a homeostatic mechanism that detects stimuli and provides information about changes in the internal environment.

Control Center

The component of a homeostatic mechanism that acts as the decision-maker and maintains the set point.

Effector

A muscle or gland that responds to signals from the control center to cause necessary changes in the internal environment.

Negative Feedback

The most common homeostatic mechanism where effectors return conditions toward the normal range, moving the variable in the opposite direction of the deviation from the set point.

Positive Feedback

An uncommon, short-lived homeostatic mechanism where a deviation from the set point is intensified and effector activity is initially increased.

Axial Portion

The main division of the human body that includes the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

The main division of the human body that includes the upper and lower limbs.

Cranial Cavity

The body cavity within the axial portion that houses the brain.

Vertebral Canal

The cavity within the axial portion that contains the spinal cord; also called the spinal cavity.

Thoracic Cavity

The body cavity within the axial portion that houses the lungs and thoracic viscera.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The body cavity within the axial portion that contains the abdominal and pelvic viscera.

Diaphragm

The muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Mediastinum

The region between the lungs in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, and thymus gland.

Abdominal Cavity

The portion of the abdominopelvic cavity extending from the diaphragm to the top of the pelvis, containing the stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, and most of the large intestine.

Pelvic Cavity

The portion of the abdominopelvic cavity enclosed by pelvic bones, containing the end of the large intestine, urinary bladder, and internal reproductive organs.

Visceral Layer

The inner layer of a double-layered serous membrane that covers an organ.

Parietal Layer

The outer layer of a double-layered serous membrane that lines the wall of a cavity.

Integumentary System

The organ system including skin, hair, nails, and glands that protects tissues, regulates body temperature, and supports sensory receptors.

Skeletal System

The organ system including bones, ligaments, and cartilages that provides a framework, protects soft tissues, produces blood cells, and stores inorganic salts.

Muscular System

The organ system comprising muscles that causes movement, maintains posture, and produces body heat.

Nervous System

The organ system including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sense organs that detects changes and coordinates organ function via rapid nerve impulses.

Endocrine System

The organ system consisting of hormone-secreting glands that controls metabolic activities of body structures with slower, longer-lasting effects.

Cardiovascular System

The organ system including the heart, blood vessels, and blood that transports gases, nutrients, blood cells, hormones, and wastes.

Lymphatic System

The organ system including lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, thymus, and spleen that returns tissue fluid to the blood and defends against infection.

Digestive System

The organ system that receives, breaks down, and absorbs food, and eliminates unabsorbed material.

Respiratory System

The organ system including the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs that moves air and exchanges gases between air and blood.

Urinary System

The organ system including kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra that removes wastes from blood, maintains water and electrolyte balance, and eliminates urine.

Anatomical Position

The standard body posture where the body is standing erect, facing forward, with upper limbs at the sides and palms facing forward.

Superior

Relative position term meaning above or closer to the head.

Inferior

Relative position term meaning below or toward the feet.

Anterior (Ventral)

Relative position term meaning toward the front.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Relative position term meaning toward the back.

Medial

Relative position term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Relative position term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Bilateral

Refers to paired structures located on both sides of the body.

Ipsilateral

Relative position term referring to structures located on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Relative position term referring to structures located on opposite sides of the body.

Proximal

Relative position term meaning closer to the point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Relative position term meaning farther from the point of attachment to the trunk.

Superficial

Relative position term meaning close to the body surface.

Deep

Relative position term meaning more internal, away from the surface.

Sagittal Section

A longitudinal cut that divides the body into left and right portions.

Mid-sagittal (Median) Section

A longitudinal cut along the midline that divides the body into equal left and right portions.

Parasagittal Section

A sagittal section lateral to the midline that divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) Section

A cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Coronal (Frontal) Section

A longitudinal cut that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Cross Section

A cut straight across a cylindrical structure.

Oblique Section

An angular cut across a cylindrical structure.

Longitudinal Section

A lengthwise cut along a cylindrical structure.

Epigastric Region

The upper middle portion of the nine abdominal regions.

Hypochondriac Region

The abdominal regions located on the right and left sides of the epigastric region.

Umbilical Region

The central portion of the nine abdominal regions.

Lateral (Lumbar) Region

The abdominal regions located on the right and left sides of the umbilical region.

Pubic (Hypogastric) Region

The lower middle portion of the nine abdominal regions.

Inguinal (Iliac) Region

The abdominal regions located on the right and left sides of the pubic region.