Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering basic human anatomy, physiology, structural levels, body systems, homeostatic mechanisms, and directional terminology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body and body parts and their relationships to one another.

Gross anatomy

The study of large, easily observable structures by the naked eye, such as the heart or bone; also known as macroscopic anatomy.

Microscopic anatomy

The study of very small structures where a magnifying lens or microscope is needed, such as cytology and histology.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work or function.

Chemical level

The simplest level of the structural ladder where atoms combine to form molecules such as water, sugar, and proteins.

Cellular level

The smallest units of living things.

Tissue level

Groups of similar cells that have a common function.

Organ level

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

Organ System

A group of organs that work together to accomplish a common purpose.

Organismal level

The highest level of structural organization, representing the total of 11 organ systems.

Integumentary system

The external covering of the body (skin) that waterproofs, cushions, protects deeper tissue, regulates body temperature, and synthesizes vitamin D.

Skeletal system

Consists of bones, cartilages, ligaments, and joints; it supports the body and provides a framework for muscle movement and hematopoiesis.

Muscular system

Consists of skeletal muscles; its primary functions are contraction, mobility, facial expression, and heat production.

Nervous system

The fast-acting central control system (brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors) that responds to stimuli via electrical messages.

Endocrine system

The slow-acting control system consisting of glands that produce hormones to regulate growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

Circulatory system

Composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood; it carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to tissue cells.

Lymphatic system

Composed of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils; it returns leaked fluid to blood vessels and is involved in immunity.

Respiratory system

Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide through gas exchanges in the air sacs of the lungs.

Metabolism

Broad term for all chemical reactions that occur within body cells, including catabolism (breaking down) and anabolism (synthesizing).

ATP

The energy used to power cellular activities, produced via cellular respiration using nutrients and oxygen.

Survival Needs: Oxygen

A gas that counts for approximately $20\%$ of the air we breathe and is required for oxidative reactions that release energy from foods.

Survival Needs: Water

The single most abundant chemical substance in the body, accounting for $60-80\%$ of body weight.

Normal Body Temperature

The temperature level ($37^\circ C$ or $98.6^\circ F$) required for chemical reactions to continue at life-sustaining rates.

Homeostasis

The body’s ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions in a dynamic state of equilibrium.

Receptor

A sensor that monitors the environment and responds to stimuli by sending input to the control center along the afferent pathway.

Control center

The component that analyzes input and determines the appropriate response or course of action.

Effector

Provides the means of response (output) to the stimulus along the efferent pathway.

Negative feedback mechanism

A control system that shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity return a variable to its ideal value, such as body temperature regulation.

Positive feedback mechanism

A mechanism that enhances the original stimulus to push the variable farther from its original value, used for infrequent events like blood clotting or labor.

Anatomical Position

Standard position where the body is standing erect, feet parallel, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or body; above.

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or body; below.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward or at the backside of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Sagittal plane

A lengthwise or longitudinal cut dividing the body into left and right parts.

Frontal plane

A longitudinal cut that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts; also called a coronal plane.

Transverse plane

A horizontal cut dividing the body or organ into superior and inferior parts; also called a cross section.

Dorsal body cavity

Subdivided into the cranial cavity (encasing the brain) and the spinal cavity (enclosing the spinal cord).

Ventral body cavity

Subdivided into the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities, containing internal organs known as viscera.

Diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscle important in breathing that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Umbilical region

The centermost region of the nine abdominopelvic regions, located deep to and surrounding the navel.

Epigastric region

The abdominopelvic region located superior to the umbilical region.

Hypogastric (pubic) region

The abdominopelvic region located inferior to the umbilical region.

Hypochondriac regions

The right and left regions that flank the epigastric region laterally.