Unit 1 - Basics of Anatomy, Physiology, and Homeostasis

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from the Unit 1 lecture transcript covering terminology for Anatomy, Physiology, Diagnostic Techniques, Medical Imaging, Biological Hierarchy, and Homeostatic Control Systems.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body, body parts, and their relationships to one another, derived from Greek words meaning 'to cut up'.

Physiology

The study of the normal functioning of a living organism and its component parts, including all its physical and chemical processes.

Collagen

A fibrous structural protein found in the skin that is shaped like a rope and gives strength to skin to prevent it from tearing.

Hemoglobin

A globular or round protein used to transport oxygen in the blood.

Transitional Epithelium

A tissue lining the ureters, bladder, and part of the urethra that resembles both stratified squamous and stratified cuboidal; it stretches readily to permit distension by urine.

Invasive Techniques

Diagnostic or treatment methods that enter the body through the skin, mucosa, or natural orifices, carrying higher risk but providing direct visualization or direct samples.

Non-invasive Techniques

Assessment or treatment methods that do not break the skin or enter the body, carrying lower risk and providing indirect information.

Cadaver Dissection

The cutting and separation of tissues in a deceased body to reveal their structural relationships.

Autopsy

Also called necropsy or postmortem examination; the dissection and examination of a dead body, its organs, and structures to determine cause of death, best performed within $24\,\text{hours}$ of death.

Inspection

A non-invasive physical assessment technique consisting of visual examination of the body.

Palpation

A non-invasive diagnostic technique where body surfaces are gently touched with the hands.

Auscultation

A non-invasive diagnostic technique consisting of listening to body sounds, typically using a stethoscope.

Percussion

A non-invasive diagnostic technique involving tapping on the body surface with fingertips and listening to the resulting echoes.

Abdominal Examination Order (in case of tenderness)

The specific sequence of physical assessment when abdominal tenderness is present: 1st Inspect, 2nd Auscultate, 3rd Percuss, 4th Palpate.

Exploratory Surgery

Surgical investigation performed to diagnose the cause of a disorder or disease when a lesion is previously undiagnosed.

Conventional Radiography

An imaging technique using a single burst of X-rays to produce a 2-D image on film; mainly used in osteology due to poor resolution of soft tissues.

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

An imaging technique utilizing a moving X-ray beam and computer processing to produce cross-sectional images with detailed soft tissue resolution.

Angiography

A medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and heart chambers.

Ultrasound

A safe, non-invasive imaging modality using high-frequency sound waves emitted by a hand-held device to create a sonogram on a video monitor.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging technique using a magnetic field and radio waves to temporarily realign hydrogen atoms in the body and create detailed cross-sectional images.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging technique using small amounts of radiolabeled biologically active compounds (tracers) to show tracer distribution and assess tissue function.

Cytology

The subspecialty of anatomy that focuses on the study of cellular structure and functions.

Histology

The branch of anatomy focused on the microscopic structure of tissues.

Embryology

The study of the first $8\,\text{weeks}$ of development following the fertilization of a human egg.

Surface Anatomy

The study of anatomical surface markings to understand internal body structures through visualization and palpation.

Pathological Anatomy

The study of structural changes, ranging from gross to microscopic levels, associated with disease.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes associated with disease and aging.

Hierarchy of Complexity

The structural levels of organization in the human body: Organism $\rightarrow$ Organ systems $\rightarrow$ Organs $\rightarrow$ Tissues $\rightarrow$ Cells $\rightarrow$ Organelles $\rightarrow$ Molecules $\rightarrow$ Atoms.

Metabolism

The sum of all biochemical processes occurring within cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Responsiveness

The basic life process defined as the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal and external environment.

Differentiation

The process by which an unspecialized cell develops into a specialized cell.

Homeostasis

The dynamic condition of maintaining the internal environment within physiological limits through regulatory feedback processes.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

The body fluid contained entirely within cells.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Body fluid located outside of cells, which includes interstitial fluid and blood plasma.

Interstitial Fluid

The extracellular fluid that fills the spaces between cells and tissues, serving as the body's internal environment.

Receptor

A body structure that monitors changes in a controlled condition and sends input signals along an afferent pathway to a control center.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical physical stimuli such as touch, pressure, vibration, and stretch.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors sensitive to changes in temperature.

Nociceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to pain-causing stimuli, including extreme heat or cold, excessive pressure, and inflammatory chemicals.

Control Center

The component of a homeostatic loop (often the brain) that sets the range of values to be maintained, evaluates input from receptors, and sends output commands.

Effector

A body structure or organ that receives output commands from the control center and produces a response that alters the controlled condition.

Negative Feedback System

A homeostatic control mechanism that reverses a change in a controlled condition to restore homeostasis.

Positive Feedback System

A feedback mechanism that strengthens or reinforces a change in a controlled condition, creating a self-amplifying cycle until interrupted.

Disorder

A general term for any change or abnormality of body structure or function.

Disease

A specific term for an illness characterized by a recognizable set of signs and symptoms.

Signs

Objective changes in body function that a clinician can directly observe and measure, such as fever or rash.

Symptoms

Subjective changes in body functions that are felt by the patient but not directly apparent to an observer, such as headache or nausea.

Diagnosis

The art and science of distinguishing one disease from another or determining the nature of a disease.