Chapter 1 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

What is anatomy?

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships.

What is physiology?

The study of the function of body parts and how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

What are the major levels of organization in organisms?

Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, System, Organismal.

What is homeostasis?

A physiological process to maintain a stable internal environment.

What is the principle of complementarity of structure and function?

Function always reflects structure; the function of an object depends on its structure.

What are the two categories of anatomy?

Gross anatomy (macroscopic) and Microscopic anatomy.

What is negative feedback?

A homeostatic mechanism where the response of the effector opposes the original stimulus.

What is positive feedback?

A homeostatic mechanism where the response enhances the original stimulus.

What are the three parts of a homeostatic mechanism?

Receptor, Control Center, Effector.

What does the integumentary system do?

Protects against environmental hazards, helps regulate body temperature, provides sensory information.

What does the skeletal system do?

Provides support and protection for other tissues, stores calcium and minerals, forms blood cells.

What are the principal organs of the muscular system?

Skeletal muscles and associated tendons.

What are the principal functions of the nervous system?

Directs immediate responses to stimuli and coordinates the activities of other organ systems.

What does the endocrine system control?

Long-term changes in the activities of other organ systems and adjusts metabolic activity.

What is the function of the respiratory system?

Delivers air to alveoli, provides oxygen to the bloodstream, removes CO2 from the bloodstream.

What is the abdominal cavity?

The superior part of the abdominopelvic cavity, containing most of the digestive organs.

What is the function of serous membranes?

Line body cavities and cover organs, reducing friction with serous fluid.

What is the anatomical position?

A person stands erect, faces forward with hands at the sides and palms facing forward.

What are directional terms used for in anatomy?

To precisely locate one part of the body relative to another.

What does the term 'proximal' mean?

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

What does the term 'distal' mean?

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

What are quadrants and regions used for in anatomy?

To enable easy descriptive location of organs in the abdominopelvic cavity.

What does the term 'medial' mean?

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

How many organ systems are there in the human body?

There are 11 organ systems.

What does the cardiovascular system do?

Distributes nutrients, water, oxygen, and CO2, and assists in body temperature control.

What happens during homeostatic regulation?

Physiological systems adjust to keep the internal environment in balance.

What is the significance of the dorsal body cavity?

It contains the cranial cavity (brain) and vertebral cavity (spinal cord).