Anatomy and Physiology ch 1

55 Q&A flashcards covering origins, anatomy vs physiology, levels, life processes, homeostasis, organ systems, life-span changes, and anatomical terminology.

What sparked the development of modern medical science according to the Origins of Medical Science notes?

The idea that humans could understand natural forces and the use of the scientific method.

What do anatomy and physiology study respectively?

Anatomy studies form and organization of body parts; physiology studies the functions of those parts.

List the levels of organization from atoms to the whole organism.

Atoms, molecules, macromolecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism.

What is the basic unit of structure and function in the body?

Cells.

How are tissues and organs related.

Tissues are organized into organs; organs are made of two or more tissue types.

What is metabolism?

The acquisition and use of energy by an organism.

Which life characteristic involves changing body position or moving internal parts?

Movement.

Which life characteristic involves sensing and reacting to internal or external changes?

Responsiveness.

Which life characteristic means increasing in size without changing shape?

Growth.

Which life characteristic involves producing offspring?

Reproduction.

Which life characteristic refers to obtaining oxygen and using it to release energy from nutrients?

Respiration.

What does digestion do?

Breaks down food substances into forms that can be absorbed.

What is absorption in the context of life processes?

Moving substances through membranes and into body fluids.

What is circulation?

Moving substances through the body in body fluids.

What is assimilation?

Changing substances into chemically different forms.

What is excretion?

Removing body wastes.

What is the definition of homeostasis?

Relatively stable internal environment within the body.

What are the main components of a homeostatic control system?

Receptors, a control center with a set point, and effectors.

What type of feedback is commonly used in homeostatic mechanisms?

Negative feedback.

What major cavities are located in the axial portion of the body?

Cranial cavity, vertebral canal, thoracic cavity, and abdominopelvic cavity.

What is the difference between parietal and visceral membranes?

Parietal membranes line the walls of cavities; visceral membranes cover the organs.

Which membranes line the thoracic cavity and cover the lungs and heart?

Pleural membranes line the lungs; pericardial membranes surround the heart.

What are the pleural and pericardial cavities?

Potential spaces between the pleural membranes and between the pericardial membranes, respectively.

What lines the abdominopelvic cavity and what is the space between called?

Peritoneal membranes; the peritoneal cavity.

What does the term viscera refer to?

The organs within the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Name the major organ systems listed in the notes.

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

What is the function of the integumentary system?

Covers the body; protects tissues; regulates temperature; houses sensory receptors; synthesizes substances.

What is the function of the skeletal system?

Provides framework; protects tissues; attachments for muscles; produces blood cells; stores inorganic salts.

What is the function of the muscular system?

Moves body parts; maintains posture; produces body heat.

What is the function of the nervous system?

Receives signals from receptors, interprets information, and causes muscles or glands to respond.

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Glands secrete hormones; helps regulate metabolism and target tissues.

What is the function of the cardiovascular system?

Heart pumps blood; blood vessels carry blood to and from body parts; transports oxygen, nutrients, and wastes.

What is the function of the lymphatic system?

Transports lymph, defends against disease; includes lymph nodes, thymus, and spleen.

What is the function of the digestive system?

Receives foods, breaks down nutrients, absorbs them, and eliminates unabsorbed materials; some organs produce hormones.

What is the function of the respiratory system?

Involves breathing and gas exchange between blood and air.

What is the function of the urinary system?

Filters wastes from the blood and helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.

Name the organs of the male reproductive system.

Scrotum, testes, epididymides, ductus deferentia, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, urethra, penis.

Name the organs of the female reproductive system.

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, clitoris, and vulva.

Where is the mediastinum located and what does it contain?

In the thoracic cavity; contains the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

What is the difference between the axial and appendicular portions of the body?

Axial includes the head, neck, and trunk; appendicular includes the limbs.

What cavities are within the head?

Oral, nasal, orbital, and middle ear cavities.

What are the three body planes?

Sagittal, transverse, and frontal (coronal) planes.

What does the term superior mean?

Above another structure.

What does the term inferior mean?

Below another structure.

What does the term anterior (ventral) mean?

Toward the front.

What does the term posterior (dorsal) mean?

Toward the back.

What does the term medial mean?

Toward the midline.

What does the term lateral mean?

Away from the midline.

What does the term proximal mean?

Near the point of attachment.

What does the term distal mean?

Away from the point of attachment.

What does the term superficial mean?

Toward or at the body surface.

What does the term deep mean?

Away from the surface; more internal.

What does ipsilateral mean?

On the same side.

What does contralateral mean?

On the opposite side.

What region is the epigastric area?

Upper middle abdominal region.

What region surrounds the navel?

Umbilical region.

What is the common name for the region 'acromial'?

Shoulder region.

What is the common name for the region 'orbital'?

Eye region.

What is the common name for the region 'antebrachial'?

Forearm region.

What is the common name for the region 'otic'?

Ear region.

What is the common name for the region 'axillary'?

Armpit (armpit) region.

What is the common name for the region 'palmar'?

Palm of the hand.

What is the common name for the region 'buccal'?

Cheek region.

What is the common name for the region 'celiac' (celiac region)?

Upper abdomen area around the stomach.

What is the common name for the region 'pedal'?

Foot region.

What is the common name for the region 'crural'?

Leg region.

What is the common name for the region 'popliteal'?

Back of the knee region.

What is the common name for the region 'gluteal'?

Buttock region.

What is the common name for the region 'sternal'?

Breastbone/chest region.

What is the common name for the region 'inguinal'?

Groin region.

What is the common name for the region 'occipital'?

Back of the head region.

What is the common name for the region 'mental'?

Chin region.

What is the common name for the region 'umbilical'?

Navel region.

What is the common name for the region 'ver­tebral'?

Spinal column region.

Which organ system helps regulate metabolism through hormones and includes glands such as the pituitary and thyroid?

Endocrine system.

Which organ system is primarily responsible for producing blood cells and storing minerals?

Skeletal system.

Name the body’s system that exchanges gases between the blood and air.

Respiratory system.

Describe a general physiological control system and the role of negative feedback.

Sensors detect changes; a control center sets a set point; effectors respond to restore balance; negative feedback dampens deviation from the set point.

If a patient has too high blood glucose, what kind of mechanism would typically restore normal levels?

Negative feedback involving insulin to lower blood glucose.

What is the peritoneal cavity?

A potential space between peritoneal membranes lining the abdominopelvic cavity.

What is the difference between a visceral and a parietal membrane?

Visceral membranes cover organs; parietal membranes line cavity walls.

What is the mediastinum and what does it contain?

A central compartment in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Name the two main cavities that hold the heart and lungs within the thoracic cavity.

Pleural cavities for the lungs and the pericardial cavity for the heart (within the mediastinum).