Biol 319 Lecture 1 - Introduction, Anatomy, Physiology, and Homeostasis

Vocabulary practice cards covering foundational concepts, body systems, directional terms, imaging techniques, and homeostatic feedback mechanisms from Biol 319 Lecture 1.

Anatomy

Scientific discipline that investigates the body's structure, such as the size and shape of a bone.

Physiology

Scientific investigation of the processes or functions of living things, involving ion movement and protein conformational changes.

Gross Anatomy

Structures examined without the aid of a microscope.

Cytology

The structural study of cellular anatomy.

Histology

The scientific study of tissues.

Ultrasound

An imaging technique using high-frequency sound waves that strike internal organs and bounce back to a receiver, visualized as a sonogram.

Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

A procedure where ultrasound waves are used to break kidney stones into smaller pieces that can pass out with urine.

Great Saphenous Vein

The longest vein in the human body, running from the top of the foot to the upper thigh and groin area.

Computed Tomography (CT)

An imaging technique using a rotating X-ray tube and a row of detectors in a gantry to measure X-ray attenuations and produce computer-analyzed cross-sectional images.

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)

An imaging technique where a radiopaque contrast dye is injected into the blood to highlight blood vessels during X-ray imaging.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging technique detecting radioactively labeled glucose usage by tissues to analyze metabolic activity, particularly in the brain.

Tooth Enamel

The hardest and most mineralized substance in the human body, composed of dense hydroxyapatite crystals ($\text{Ca}_{10}(\text{PO}_4)_6(\text{OH})_2$).

Pathology

The study of structural and functional changes caused by disease.

Four Blood Sugar-Elevating Hormones

The four hormones that combat hypoglycemia: Epinephrine (Adrenaline), Growth Hormone (GH), Cortisol, and Glucagon.

Integumentary System

Organ system consisting of skin, hair, nails, and sweat glands that provides protection, regulates temperature, prevents water loss, and produces vitamin D.

Skeletal System

Organ system providing protection and support, allowing movements, storing minerals and fat, and producing blood cells in marrow cavities.

Muscular System

Organ system consisting of muscles attached to the skeleton by tendons that produces body movements, maintains posture, and produces body heat.

Nervous System

Major regulatory system consisting of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors that detects sensations and controls movements and intellectual functions.

Endocrine System

Major regulatory system consisting of glands that secrete hormones into the blood to influence metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system transporting nutrients, waste products, gases, and hormones throughout the body, while playing a role in temperature regulation and immune responses.

Lymphatic System

Organ system that removes foreign substances from blood and lymph, combats disease, maintains tissue fluid balance, and absorbs fats from the digestive tract.

Respiratory System

Organ system that exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and air, and regulates blood pH.

Digestive System

Organ system performing mechanical and chemical processes of digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of wastes.

Urinary System

Organ system that removes waste products from the blood, regulates blood pH, and maintains ion and water balance.

Excretory Organs

The four major organs responsible for eliminating waste from the body: kidneys, colon, liver, and skin (integument).

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment within the body through dynamic adjustments around physiological set points.

Receptor (Feedback Loop)

A component of a feedback loop that monitors the value of a variable by detecting a stimulus.

Control Center (Feedback Loop)

A component of a feedback loop (such as the hypothalamus) that establishes the set point and receives input from the receptor.

Effector (Feedback Loop)

A component of a feedback loop that generates a response to adjust the value of a regulated variable.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

A regulatory mechanism that counteracts a change in a variable by decreasing the deviation to return the system toward its set point.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

A feed-forward stimulation loop where a deviation from the normal set point is amplified until the original stimulus is removed.

Parturition

Childbirth, which operates via a positive feedback loop involving uterine smooth muscle contraction and oxytocin release.

Supine

Anatomical term describing a body position of lying face upward.

Prone

Anatomical term describing a body position of lying face downward.

Superior (Cephalic)

Directional term meaning higher or closer to the head relative to another structure.

Inferior (Caudal)

Directional term meaning lower or closer to the tail/feet relative to another structure.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment to the body than another structure.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment to the body than another structure.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface of the body; internal.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body vertically into right and left portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

Oblique Cut

A section cut across the body or an organ at any angle other than a right angle.

Visceral Serous Membrane

The inner layer of a serous membrane that directly covers an internal organ.

Parietal Serous Membrane

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the inner wall of a body cavity.

Mesentery

Double-folded layers of visceral peritoneum anchoring abdominal organs to the posterior wall and providing passage for blood vessels and nerves.

Retroperitoneal Organs

Organs located behind the peritoneum that have peritoneum only on their peritoneal cavity side, such as the kidneys, ureters, adrenal glands, and urinary bladder.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium surrounding the heart.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleural membranes surrounding the lungs.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum lining the abdominopelvic cavity and organs.