Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

Flashcards covering the essential concepts of human anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

The scientific study of morphology or the structure of body parts and how they are arranged.

Physiology

The study of the functions of body parts and what they do.

Metabolism

All chemical and physical processes taking place in the body, essential for life.

Anabolism

The process of building larger molecules from smaller ones.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a constant internal environment despite changes in the external environment.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism activated by an imbalance that acts to correct it, involving a receptor, control center, and effector.

Receptor

A sensing unit that responds to changes in the environment and sends information to the control center.

Control Center

Analyzes information received from the receptor and determines an appropriate response.

Effector

The component that receives messages from the control center and produces a response.

Superior

Towards the head or above another part.

Inferior

Towards the feet or below another part.

Anterior

Towards the front of the body.

Posterior

Towards the back of the body.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment (trunk) of a limb.

Distal

Further from the point of attachment (trunk) of a limb.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Further from the surface of the body.

Sagittal Plane

A lengthwise division of the body into right and left sections.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal division of the body into superior and inferior sections.

Frontal Plane

A division of the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Dorsal Cavity

Cavity divided into the cranial cavity (brain) and spinal cavity (spinal cord).

Ventral Cavity

Cavity divided into the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity, separated by the diaphragm.

Thoracic Cavity

Houses the lungs, heart, esophagus, trachea, and thymus gland.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Encloses the abdominal and pelvic cavities, housing various organs including the stomach and reproductive organs.

Epigastric Region

Upper middle portion of the abdomen.

Hypochondriac Region

The regions below the cartilage of the ribs, divided into right and left.

Umbilical Region

The middle portion around the belly button.

Hypogastric Region

The region above the pubic area.

Lumbar Region

The right and left regions bilateral to the umbilical region.

Iliac Region

The regions bilateral to the hypogastric area.

Quadrants

Imaginary lines through the umbilicus that define four sections of the abdomen.

RUQ

Right upper quadrant, containing the liver and gallbladder.

RLQ

Right lower quadrant, containing the appendix.

LUQ

Left upper quadrant, containing the spleen.

LLQ

Left lower quadrant, containing parts of the bowel.