Introduction to Human Anatomy – Review Flashcards

Question-and-answer flashcards covering key historical milestones, terminology, anatomical approaches, body systems, planes, positions, movements, and cavity region organization from the lecture notes.

What civilization produced the earliest known cuneiform medical writings around 2000 BCE?

The ancient Mesopotamians.

Which papyrus provides some of the oldest Egyptian anatomical observations?

The Edwin Smith Papyrus.

Who is called the “Father of Anatomy” for performing the first recorded systematic human dissections?

Herophilus.

What colleague of Herophilus also performed numerous cadaver dissections in Alexandria?

Erasistratus.

What controversial practice were Herophilus and Erasistratus accused of?

Performing vivisections (dissections on living subjects).

Which catastrophic event in 391 CE destroyed many classical anatomical texts?

The burning and sack of the Library of Alexandria.

Which Renaissance polymath combined art and anatomy with detailed cross-sectional drawings?

Leonardo da Vinci.

What is the title of Andreas Vesalius’ landmark 1543 anatomy book?

De Humani Corporis Fabrica.

From which Greek roots is the word “anatomy” derived, and what do they mean?

Anatome (dissection) + logos (study) = study of dissection.

What are the two main approaches to studying anatomy?

Regional (topographical) anatomy and systemic anatomy.

In regional anatomy, why is surface anatomy considered essential?

It allows visualization and palpation of structures beneath the skin, aiding clinical assessment.

What does systemic anatomy focus on?

Studying the body’s organ systems that function together.

What does gross (macroscopic) anatomy study?

Structures visible to the naked eye, such as muscles, bones, and organs.

Which branch of microscopic anatomy studies cells specifically?

Cytology.

Which branch of microscopic anatomy examines tissues?

Histology.

What does embryology investigate?

Changes in the developing organism from fertilization to birth.

What is applied (clinical) anatomy?

Direct application of anatomic facts to medicine and surgery.

List the four basic tissue types.

Epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues.

Arrange the levels of anatomical organization from simplest to most complex.

Atom → molecule → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.

How many major organ systems are recognized in human anatomy?

Eleven.

Which organ system is studied under dermatology?

The integumentary system.

Name two primary functions of the integumentary system.

Protection and regulation of body temperature (also cushions, waterproofs, excretes wastes).

What are the main components of the skeletal system?

Bones, cartilage, ligaments, and joints.

Give two functions of the skeletal system besides support.

Protection of organs and hematopoiesis (blood formation).

Which three muscle types comprise the muscular system?

Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.

What is the chief function of the cardiovascular system?

Transporting blood to distribute nutrients, gases, wastes, hormones, and immune cells.

Which organs belong to the lymphatic system?

Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, thymus, and bone marrow.

State one key function of the lymphatic system.

Recovery of tissue fluid and immune defense.

Which two principal organs make up the central nervous system?

Brain and spinal cord.

How does the endocrine system regulate the body?

By releasing hormones that direct long-term changes such as growth and reproduction.

List three major organs in the respiratory system.

Nasal passages, trachea, and lungs (also pharynx, larynx, bronchi).

What is the primary purpose of the digestive system?

Processing food and absorbing nutrients, water, vitamins, and minerals.

Which organs comprise the urinary system?

Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Name one role of the urinary system besides waste excretion.

Maintaining water–salt balance or regulating blood pH.

Give two major organs of the male reproductive system.

Testes and penis (plus accessory glands and ducts).

Define the standard anatomical position.

Standing upright, head and gaze forward, arms at sides with palms anterior, feet together and parallel.

Which plane divides the body into left and right halves?

The sagittal plane (mid-sagittal when exactly in the center).

What plane separates the body into anterior and posterior parts?

The frontal (coronal) plane.

Which section cuts the body at right angles to its longitudinal axis?

A transverse (cross) section.

Define ‘medial’ in anatomical terminology.

Closer to the median plane of the body.

What is the term for a structure farther away from the body’s core or point of origin?

Distal.

Differentiate superficial, intermediate, and deep.

Superficial = near surface; intermediate = between superficial and deep; deep = farther from surface.

What does ‘bilateral’ describe?

Structures present on both the right and left sides of the body.

What position refers to lying face up?

Supine.

In anatomical terms, movement toward the body’s midline in the coronal plane is called what?

Adduction.

Which foot movement turns the sole inward toward the midline?

Inversion.

Define dorsiflexion.

Bending the foot upward toward the shin.

What is circumduction?

A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation..

Differentiate pronation and supination of the forearm.

Pronation turns the palm posterior/down; supination turns the palm anterior/up.

Which two major cavities form the dorsal body cavity?

Cranial and spinal cavities.

Name the three subdivisions of the thoracic cavity.

Right pleural cavity, mediastinum (including pericardial cavity), and left pleural cavity.

What cavity encloses most abdominal and pelvic organs?

The peritoneal cavity.

List the nine abdominopelvic regions starting in the upper right corner.

Right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac, right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar, right iliac, hypogastric, left iliac.

Which quadrant contains most of the liver?

Right upper quadrant (RUQ).

What term describes the central axis portion of the body excluding limbs?

Axial region.

The limbs or appendages belong to which body region?

Appendicular region.

What term describes nerve fibers carrying signals toward a structure?

Afferent.

Which term refers to nerve fibers carrying signals away from a structure?

Efferent.

Flexion is defined as making the angle of a joint do what?

Decrease.

Protraction moves a body part in which direction?

Anterior/forward.

Retraction moves a body part in which direction?

Posterior/backward.

Which term means ‘toward the head’ when describing relative position?

Superior (or cranial).

Which term means ‘toward the tail or feet’?

Inferior (or caudal).

What is ipsilateral?

Located on or affecting the same side of the body.

What is contralateral?

Located on or affecting the opposite side of the body.

Give the anatomical term for the front (anterior) surface of the hand.

Palmar surface.

Give the anatomical term for the back (posterior) surface of the hand.

Dorsal surface.

Which body system is studied in nephrology?

The urinary system.

Which specialty focuses on diseases of the female reproductive system?

Gynecology.

Which branch of anatomy directly applies anatomical knowledge to surgical practice?

Applied/clinical anatomy.

Name two hormones-secreting organs in the endocrine system other than the pituitary and thyroid.

Adrenal glands and pancreas (also parathyroid, pineal, thymus, ovaries, testes).

What is the principal organ of hematopoiesis within the skeletal system?

The bone marrow.