Human Anatomy and Physiology Chapter 1 Terms

Anatomy

The structure of body parts and their relationships to one another

Physiology

The function of the body, in other words, how the body parts work and carry out their life-sustaining activities

Gross or Macroscopic Anatomy

The study of large body structures visible to the naked eye, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys

Regional Anatomy

All the structures (muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, etc.) in a particular region of the body. Such as the abdomen or leg, are examined at the same time

Systemic Anatomy

Body structure is studied system by system

Surface Anatomy

The study of internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin surface

Microscopic Anatomy

Structures too small to be seen with the naked eye

Cytology

Study of cells

Histology

Study of tissues

Developmental Anatomy

Traces structural changes that occur throughout the life span

Embryology

A subdivision of developmental anatomy, concerns developmental changes that occur before birth

Pathologic Anatomy

Studies the structural changes caused by disease

Radiographic Anatomy

Studies internal structures as visualized by X-ray images or specialized scanning procedures

Palpation

Feeling organs with your hands (externally)

Auscultation

Listening to organ sounds with a stethoscope

Renal Physiology

Study of kidney function and urine production

Neurophysiology

Study of the Nervous system

Cardiovascular Physiology

Study of the operation of the heart and blood vessels

Principle of Complementarity of Structure and Function

The basic concept of function always reflects structure

The Human Levels of Structural Organization

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

Chemical Level

Atoms, tiny building blocks of matter, combine to form molecules such as water and proteins

Cellular Level

Cells have some common functions, but individual cells vary widely in size and shape, reflecting their unique functions in the body. Cells are made up of molecules.

Tissue Level

Tissues are groups of similar cells that have a common function.

Four Basic Types of Tissues

Epithelium, Muscle, Connective Tissue, Nervous Tissue

Organ Level

An organ is composed of at least two tissue types (more likely to have four types) and preforms a specific function for the body

Organ System Level

Organs that work together to accomplish a common purpose

Organismal Level

Represents the sum total of all structural levels working together to keep us alive

Movement

Activities that are promoted by the muscular system. Example: propelling ourselves from one place to another

Contractility

On the cellular level, the muscle cell's ability to move by shortening

Responsiveness/Excitability

Ability to sense changes in the environment and then respond to them

Digestion

Break down of ingested foodstuffs to simple molecules that can be absorbed into the blood

Metabolism

Broad term that includes all chemical reactions that occur within body cells

Catabolism

breaking down substances into simpler building blocks

Anabolism

Synthesizing more complex cellular structures from simpler substances

Cellular Respiration

Using nutrients and oxygen to produce ATP

ATP

Energy-rich molecules that power cellular activities

Excretion

The process of removing wastes or excreta from the body

Reproduction

Occurs at the cellular and organismal level. In cellular reproduction the original cells divides and produces two identical daughter cells. Much more complex at the organismal level.

Growth

Increase in size of a body part or the organism as a whole

Survival Needs

Nutrients, oxygen, water, and appropriate temperature and atmospheric pressure

Nutrients

Chemical substances used for energy and cell building

Oxygen

Oxygen is necessary to process all nutrients in the body

Oxidative Reactions

Reactions that require oxygen

Water

50-60% of human body weight, single most abundant chemical substance in our body

Normal Body Temerature

For the human body to remain in homeostasis, it needs to stay relatively close to 37 degrees C

Atmospheric Pressure

The force that air exerts on the surface of the body

Appropriate Atmospheric Pressure

Breathing and gas exchange in the lungs depends on this pressure. When pressure is low, gas exchange may be inadequate to support cellular metabolism

Homeostasis

The ability of the body to maintain relatively stable internal conditions even though the outside world changes continuously

Variable

The factor or event being regulated

Receptor

A type of sensor that monitors the environment and responds to changes

Stimuli

Changes that occur in an environment

Control Center

Where information is sent after stimulation. Determines the set point (level or range at which a variable is to be maintained)

Afferent Pathway

The path that the input flows from the receptor to the control center

Efferent Pathway

The pathway from the control center to the third component

Effector

Provides the means for the control center's response (the output) to the stimulus

Negative Feedback Mechanisms

These mechanisms cause the variable to change in a direction opposite to that of the initial change: usually associated with returning to an "ideal" value

Withdrawl Reflex

An example of Negative Feedback Mechanisms

Positive Feedback Mechanisms

These mechanisms cause the variable to change in the direction that is the same to the initial stimulus: causes the variable to deviate further from the original value

Cascades

A term used to refer to Positive Feedback Mechanisms

Homeostatic Imbalance

The condition when homeostasis is disturbed by either disease or extreme external stimulation

Anatomical Position

Standard body position: "standing at attention" palms face forward, thumbs point away from the body

Directional terms

Helps explain where one body structure is in relation to another

Axial Part

Main axis of our body; includes the head, neck, and trunk

Appendicular Part

Consists of the appendages/limbs

Regional Terms

Designates specific areas within these major body divisions are indicated

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts

Median Plane or Midsagittal Plane

Sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline

Parasagittal Planes

All other sagittal planes that offset from the midline

Frontal Planes or Coronal Plane

Lies vertically, dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts

Transverse Plane or Horizontal Plane (Aka Cross Section)

Runs horizontally from right to left, divides the body into superior and inferior parts

Oblique Sections

Cuts made diagonally between the horizontal and vertical planes