INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN BODY

Reviewer

Human Anatomy

body’s structure and organization, including the systems, organs, and tissues that make up the human body.

Microscopic Anatomy

very small and can only be observe and analyze with the assitance of a microscope.

Gross Anatomy

the study of body structures without a microscope, focusing on larger structures observable by the naked eye.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

a medical imaging technique used to create detailed images of the body's internal structures, particularly soft tissues, using strong magnetic fields and radio waves.

X-ray

a medical imaging technique that uses radiation to produce images of the body's internal structures, particularly bones and dense tissues.

Histology

the study of the microscopic structure of tissues, focusing on their organization and composition.

Cytology

the branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells.

Regional Anatomy

the study of the relationships between various body structures within specific areas of the body, focusing on how these structures interact.

Systemic Anatomy

Group of structures that work together to perform a unique body function.

Physiology

the scientific study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system, examining how organs and systems work together to maintain homeostasis.

Neurophysiology

the branch of physiology that studies the nervous system, including its structures, functions, and the mechanisms of neural activity, the brain, spinal cord, and nerves

Phosphorylated

refers to a biochemical process that involves the addition of a negatively charged phosphate group to a molecule, typically a protein or other organic compound, which can alter its function and activity.

Bipedalism

the ability to walk on two legs, a key characteristic of humans and some other species, enabling efficient travel and mobility.

Evolution

change in gene expression that occurs from generation to generation

Folate

essential B-vitamin involved in DNA synthesis and repair, and crucial for cell division.

Melanin

a pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes, providing protection against UV radiation.

Heart Attack

most common to men than women, central symptom is pain in the left shoulder

Nausea

most common symptom of heart attack in female

Homeostasis

the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Set point

is the desired level or range of a physiological variable that the body tries to maintain within homeostasis.

Normal body temperature

is approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), which is the set point for thermoregulation in humans.

Hypothermia

is a medical emergency that occurs when the body temperature drops below the normal range, typically below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), leading to various physiological disturbances.

Heart rate

____ is an example of “not homeostatically regulated”

Negative feedback

mechanism that reverses a deviation from a set point to maintain homeostasis in the body.

Pancreas

When a person’s blood sugar decreases, it is sensed by what organ?

liver

Upon receiving the glucagon signal, the ____ begins to break down glycogen

Positive feedback

intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition rather than reversing it

Oxytocin

uterine contractions to intensify and help push the baby through the birth canal

atom

smallest unit of matter

proton, electron, neutron

Subatomic particles of an atom

Molecules

building block of all body structures

cell

smallest independently functioning unit of living organisms

organelles

tiny organs functioning

Tissue

group of many cells that work together to perform specific function

Organ

structure of the body that is composed of two or more tissue types

Organ System

group of organs that work together to perform major functions

Intergumentary System

Creates a barrier that protects the body from pathogens and fluid loss

Skeletal System

Supports and protects the body

Muscular System

Creates movement of the body and contributes to body temperature homeostasis

Nervous System

acts as the sensor for homeostasis and connects brain to every part of the body

Endocrine System

Secretes the hormones that regulate many bodily processes

Cardiovascular System

Delivers oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body

Contributes to temperature regulation

Lymphatic System

Regulates fluid balance in the body using lymph nodes

Houses some of the immune cells that defend the body from pathogens

Respiratory System

Exchanges air with the atmosphere

Provides surface area for the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide with blood

Digestive System

Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients into the body

Urinary System

Contributes to blood pressure and pH homeostasis

Removes waste products from the body

Reproductive System

Produce and exchange gametes

House the fetus until birth

Lactation

Organism

living being that has a cellular structure and that can perform physiological functions necessary for life

Hypo

low

Hypodermis

skin under the dermis

Hypoglycemia

low blood sugar

gly

sugar

hyposecretion

refers to an endocrine gland that is secreting less than its typical levels of hormone

Anatomical position

standing upright, feet shoulder width apart and parallel, toes forward. The upper limbs are held out to each side, and the palms of the hands face forward, with thumbs out to the side

patient, cadaver, observer

The term right and left refers to the ____ or ____and never the ____ right and left

Prone

face-down

Supine

face-up

Anterior

front of the body

Posterior

back of the body

Superior

Above or higher

Inferior

below or lower

Lateral

side of the body

Medial

middle or direction toward the middle

Superficial

closer to the surface of the body

Deep

farther from the surface of the body

Proximal

nearer to the point of attachment

Distal

farther from the point of attachments

Section

is a slice of three-dimensional structure that has been cut

Sagittal Plane

is a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into right and left sides.

Parasagittal Plane

is a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into unequal right and left sides, parallel to the midsagittal plane.

Frontal Plane

is a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

is a horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

40 trillion human cells

Human body is consists of approximately how many human cells?

Membrane

_____ describes a tissue made up of many cells that separates, protects, and subdivides body compartments

Posterior Cavity

____ cavity is located posteriorly and includes the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the vertebral cavity (enclosing the spinal cord)

Anterior Cavity

_____ cavity is located anteriorly and includes the thoracic cavity (housing the heart and lungs) and the abdominopelvic cavity (housing digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs).

spinal cavity

encloses the spinal cord

cranial cavity

houses brain and spinal cord

thoracic cavity

The _____ cavity is the chest cavity, superior to the diaphragm, containing the heart, lungs, esophagus, and trachea.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity, located between the lungs, containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, and thymus.

abdomenopelvic cavity

largest cavity in the body

serous membrane

thin membranes that cover the walls and organs thoracic and abdomenopelvic cavities

pariet

cavity walls

visceral

covers the organs (viscera)

abdomenopelvic cavity

What is the largest cavity in the body?

pleura

serous membrane that surrounds the lungs in the pleural cavity

pericardium serous

serous membrane that surrounds the heart in the pericardial cavity

peritonium

serous membrane form fluid-filled sacs or cavity that are meant to cushion and reduce friction of internal organs

X-rays and CT scans

are capable of damaging cells and initiating changes that could lead to cancer

MRI

______ have the major advantage of not exposing patients to radiation

MRI

People with metallic implants cannot undergo _____ because it can dislodge this implant

Positron Emission Tomography

has radiation but short-lived and safe to administer in the body

PET

_____ can illustrate physiologic activity

Ultrasonography

least invasive and uses high-frequency sound waves and generates echo signal