Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards covering the key concepts from the Anatomy and Physiology lecture.

What is Anatomy?

The study of form or structure of body parts.

What is Physiology?

The study of function of body parts.

What is Gross Anatomy?

Things that can be viewed by the unaided eye.

What is Regional Anatomy?

One area of the body (head, abdomen, etc.).

What is Systemic Anatomy?

Study of one system.

What is Surface Anatomy?

What is visible or felt through the skin.

What is Microscopic Anatomy?

Things that are viewed through a microscope.

What is Cytology?

Study of cells.

What is Histology?

Study of tissues.

What is Ultrastructure?

Very small structures studied with an electron microscope.

What is Developmental Anatomy?

How things change throughout the lifespan.

What is Embryology?

Changes before birth.

What is Dissection?

Cutting things apart and seeing how they are put together.

What is an X-Ray (radiograph) used for?

Best for bones and hard structures or abnormal densities (tumors in lungs).

What is Computed Tomography (CT)?

X-Ray slices through the body.

What is Xenon CT?

Radioactive Xenon is inhaled and it enters the bloodstream; used to diagnose stroke.

What is Dynamic Spatial Reconstruction?

Ultrafast CT; reconstructs organs that can be viewed from any angle; allows observation of movements at normal speed.

What is Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan)?

Inject patient with radioactive glucose; allows metabolic processes to be observed; identifies active parts of the brain.

What is Sonography (Ultrasound)?

Uses sound waves; used for OB and abdomen (gall bladder); sound waves can’t penetrate bone or air filled lungs.

What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?

Huge magnet aligns hydrogen molecules; distinguishes tissue based on water content; provides high contrast of soft tissue.

What is Functional MRI?

Can see blood flow in the brain in real time; no injection required and finer detail than PET, now preferred method.

Why do we study Anatomy and Physiology at the same time?

Structure and function go hand in hand.

What is the Chemical level of organization?

Atoms and molecules.

What are Organelles?

Parts of cells.

What is a Cell?

Simplest unit of life.

What is a Tissue?

Similar cells with a common function.

What are Organs?

Discrete structures composed of more than one kind of tissue.

What is an Organ system?

Groups of organs that work together.

What is the Organismal level of organization?

Whole animal.

What are the 4 main tissue types?

Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nervous

What are the 11 Organ systems?

Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive

What is the Integumentary System?

Forms the external body covering; composed of the skin, hair, nail, etc.; provides protection from foreign material, dehydration, abrasion; receptors provide information about outside world.

What is the Skeletal System?

Composed of bone, cartilage, and ligaments; protects and supports body organs; provides the framework for muscles; site of blood cell formation; stores minerals.

What is the Muscular System?

Composed of skeletal muscles and tendons; voluntary movement; maintains posture; produces body heat.

What is the Nervous System?

Composed of the brain, spinal column, and nerves; receives internal and external stimuli and sends messages to respond.

What is the Endocrine System?

Composed of thyroid, thymus, pituitary gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, ovary, testes, and more; regulates the body by hormones are released into the blood stream.

What is the Cardiovascular System?

Composed of the heart and blood vessels; circulates blood; transports nutrients and oxygen.

What is the Lymphatic System?

Composed of red bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels; protects us against foreign substances within the body.

What is the Respiratory System?

Composed of the nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs; keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

What is the Digestive System?

Composed of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, anus, and liver; breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood; eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces.

What is the Urinary System?

Composed of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body; regulates water, electrolyte, and pH balance of the blood.

What is the Male Reproductive System?

Composed of prostate gland, penis, testes, scrotum, and ductus deferens; main function is the production of offspring; testes produce sperm and male sex hormones.

What is the Female Reproductive System?

Composed of mammary glands, ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina; main function is the production of offspring; ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones; remaining structures serve as sites for fertilization and development of the fetus; mammary glands produce milk to nourish the newborn.

Why are Nutrients a survival need?

Fuel for cells and movement; building blocks for growth and molecules.

Why is Oxygen a survival need?

Runs metabolism.

Why is Water a survival need?

Part of all chemical reactions; must replace daily what is lost due to excretion and sweat.

Why is Normal body temperature a survival need?

Maintain normal enzyme functioning.

Why is Atmospheric pressure a survival need?

Maintain appropriate gas mixture in blood; bends; altitude sickness.

What is Homeostasis?

Describes the process of body keeping the same environment; pH, temp, sugar levels, O2 levels, blood pressure are maintained.

What are the 5 parts of a control loop in homeostasis?

Variable, receptor, afferent pathway, control center, efferent pathway, effector.

What are Negative feedback loops?

Causes variable to change in a direction opposite of the initial change; majority of control mechanisms; like a thermostat in your house.

What are Positive Feedback Loops?

Effector causes reaction to continue and even increase rate; rare events that are self perpetuating; blood clotting, childbirth.

What happens if you cannot maintain homeostasis?

Disease or Death.

Why is Anatomical position important?

Anatomical position gives us known position with a common reference point; this position is especially important in the forearm.

What are the Directional terms for humans?

Superior/Cranial, Inferior/Caudal, Anterior/Ventral, Posterior/Dorsal, Medial, Lateral, Intermediate, Proximal, Distal, Superficial, Deep

What is a Sagittal plane?

Cuts the body into right and left.

What is a Frontal plane?

Cuts the body into front and back.

What is a Transverse plane?

Horizontal slices; cuts from top to bottom.

What is Anatomical Variability?

Humans vary slightly in both external and internal anatomy; nerves or blood vessels may be somewhat out of place, small muscles may be missing.

What are the divisions of the Dorsal Body cavity?

Cranial cavity, spinal cavity.

What are the divisions of the Ventral body cavity?

Thoracic and Abdominopelvic.

What does the Thoracic body cavity contain?

Pleural cavities contains lungs; Mediastinum- between pleural cavities (Pericardial cavity contains the heart, Superior mediastinum is above the heart and between the lungs).

What does the Abdominopelvic cavity contain?

Contains all abdominal organs; some refer to abdominal and pelvic cavities.

What are the membranes of the Ventral Body Cavity?

Parietal serosa lines internal body walls; Visceral serosa covers the internal organs; Serous fluid separates the serosae.

What are the types of serosa membranes in the body?

Pericardium is around the heart, Pleura is around the lungs, Peritoneum is around the abdominal organs.