BIOL 2610: Anatomy & Physiology 1 - Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering structural organization, organ systems, homeostasis, feedback mechanisms, directional terms, anatomical planes, cavities, and serous membranes.

Anatomy

The study of body structure and the relationships among structures.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Principle of Complementarity

The concept that anatomy and physiology are inseparable because structure dictates function.

Chemical Level

The level of structural organization where atoms combine to form molecules.

Cellular Level

The level of structural organization where cells are composed of molecules and organelles.

Tissue Level

The level of structural organization consisting of a group of similarly specialized cells working together.

Organ Level

The level of structural organization composed of a group of two or more different tissues performing a specific function.

Organ System Level

The level of structural organization consisting of a group of related organs working together for a common function.

Organismal Level

The highest level of structural organization, composed of many organ systems working together to maintain life.

Integumentary System

Organ system that forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissues, synthesizes vitamin D, and houses cutaneous receptors and sweat/oil glands.

Skeletal System

Organ system that protects and supports body organs, provides a framework for muscles, forms blood cells within bones, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

Organ system that allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, facial expression, maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous System

The fast-acting control system of the body that responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Organ system consisting of glands that secrete hormones regulating processes such as growth, reproduction, and metabolism by body cells.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system consisting of the heart, which pumps blood, and blood vessels, which transport blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes.

Lymphatic System / Immunity

Organ system that picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels, disposes of debris, houses white blood cells (lymphocytes), and mounts immune responses.

Homeostasis

A dynamic state of equilibrium in the body that monitors variables and responds to maintain a stable internal environment.

Variable

The body item or value that a feedback system controls, also referred to as the controlled condition.

Stimulus

Any factor that disrupts and produces a change in a variable.

Receptor

A sensor that monitors and detects changes in a variable and sends input via an afferent pathway to the control center.

Control Center

Component of a feedback loop that evaluates input against a set point (normal range) and generates output via an efferent pathway to an effector.

Effector

Component of a feedback loop that receives output from the control center and produces a response to return the variable to homeostatic balance.

Negative Feedback System

A homeostatic control mechanism that reverses a change in a controlled condition, producing a response opposite to the original stimulus to prevent sudden changes.

Positive Feedback System

A control mechanism that enhances or amplifies a change in a variable in the same direction as the original stimulus to establish a cascade of events.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position for anatomical nomenclature where the body is erect, feet are slightly apart and forward, palms face forward, and arms are at the sides.

Superior

Directional term meaning closer to the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Directional term meaning closer to the feet or lower part of a structure.

Anterior

Directional term meaning closer to the front or chest side of the body (also known as ventral).

Posterior

Directional term meaning closer to the back side of the body (also known as dorsal).

Medial

Directional term meaning closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning farther from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term specific to limbs meaning closer to the origin or point of attachment to the body trunk.

Distal

Directional term specific to limbs meaning farther from the origin or point of attachment to the body trunk.

Superficial

Directional term meaning closer to the surface or exterior of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning more interior or away from the body surface.

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or structure into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or structure into right and left parts.

Midsagittal Plane

A sagittal plane that lies exactly on the midline, dividing the body into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal Plane

A sagittal plane that is off-centered, dividing the body into unequal right and left parts.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body or structure into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts.

Oblique Section

A cut or section made diagonally at an angle between horizontal and vertical planes.

Dorsal Body Cavity

An internal body cavity that protects the nervous system, subdivided into the cranial cavity and vertebral cavity.

Ventral Body Cavity

An internal body cavity housing the internal organs (viscera), subdivided by the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Serous Membrane

A thin, double-layered membrane lining the walls and organs of the ventral body cavity.

Parietal Layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the cavity wall.

Visceral Layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane that adheres directly to the outer surface of an organ.

Serous Fluid

A lubricating fluid contained within the serous cavity between the parietal and visceral layers, reducing friction during organ movement.

Pleural Membrane

The double-layered serous membrane associated with the lungs, consisting of parietal pleural and visceral pleural layers.

Pericardium

The double-layered serous membrane associated with the heart, consisting of parietal pericardium and visceral pericardium layers.

Peritoneum

The double-layered serous membrane associated with the abdominal cavity, consisting of parietal peritoneum and visceral peritoneum layers.