Anatomy & Physiology: The Human Organism Flashcards

This set of 50 flashcards covers the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology including structural organization, organ systems, characteristics of life, homeostasis, and body cavities as presented by Sir Xavier R. Robelo.

Anatomy

The branch of biological science that studies the structure, shape, size, location, composition, and relationships of different parts of the human body.

Anatome

The Greek word meaning "to cut apart," which is the origin of the term anatomy.

Gross Anatomy

The study of body structures that can be seen without the aid of a microscope, such as organs, muscles, and bones.

Microscopic Anatomy

Focuses on structures too small to be seen with the naked eye that require a microscope for observation.

Cytology

A major division of microscopic anatomy that involves the study of cells.

Histology

A major division of microscopic anatomy focused on the study of tissues.

Developmental Anatomy

The study of structural changes that occur in the human body from fertilization until adulthood.

Embryology

A subdivision of developmental anatomy that studies development before birth.

Surface Anatomy

The study of external features of the body that serve as landmarks for identifying internal organs.

Clinical Anatomy

The application of anatomical knowledge in medical practice, diagnosis, and treatment.

Chemical Level

The simplest level of organization consisting of atoms and molecules; it forms the foundation of all body structures.

Cellular Level

The level at which cells, the smallest living units capable of carrying out all life processes, are organized.

Tissue

A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers body surfaces, lines organs, and forms glands.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports, protects, and binds body structures together, such as bone, blood, and cartilage.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue that produces movement through contraction, categorized into skeletal, cardiac, and smooth types.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that conducts electrical impulses throughout the body, found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Organ Level

The level of organization where two or more tissue types work together to perform specialized functions.

Organ System Level

The level of organization where several organs cooperate to perform complex body functions.

Integumentary System

The body's outer protective covering consisting of skin, hair, nails, and glands.

Skeletal System

The body's structural framework made of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and joints.

Muscular System

Composed of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles to enable movement, maintain posture, and produce heat.

Nervous System

The primary control and communication network that processes sensory information and sends signals to muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

A collection of glands producing hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Cardiovascular System

Transports blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing wastes.

Lymphatic (Immune) System

A network that returns excess tissue fluid to the bloodstream and protects against infections.

Respiratory System

System responsible for breathing and gas exchange, supplying oxygen to blood and removing carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Breaks down food into nutrients for absorption and eliminates indigestible waste.

Urinary System

Filters blood to remove metabolic wastes and maintains fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

Reproductive System

Organs that produce sex cells and hormones to enable the generation of offspring.

Organismal Level

The highest level of organization representing the complete human being with interacting organ systems.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring within the body necessary to maintain life.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of building complex molecules from simpler substances, requiring energy.

Catabolism

The metabolic breakdown of complex molecules into simpler substances to release energy.

Responsiveness (Irritability)

The ability of the body to detect and respond to changes in the internal and external environment.

Growth

An increase in the size of the body or its parts through an increase in cell number, cell size, or both.

Homeostasis

The ability of the body to maintain a relatively stable internal environment despite external or internal changes.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

A self-regulating process that reverses a change in the body to maintain stability through a sensor, control center, and effector.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

A process that amplifies or increases an original change to push the system further from its start to complete a specific task.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane dividing the body into right and left portions.

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

A vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Located along the posterior side of the body, protecting the central nervous system organs.

Cranial Cavity

The space inside the skull that houses and protects the brain.

Vertebral Cavity

The canal formed by the vertebral column that encloses and protects the spinal cord.

Ventral Body Cavity

Located along the anterior side of the body; includes the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

The chest cavity located above the diaphragm, containing organs for respiration and circulation.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity located between the lungs.

Pericardial Cavity

A small cavity within the mediastinum that surrounds and protects the heart.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The cavity located below the diaphragm, subdivided into the abdominal and pelvic portions.