Chapter I: Introduction to the Human Body

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards reviewing definitions of anatomy, physiology subdivisions, levels of structural organization, life processes, and homeostasis from Chapter I: Introduction to the Human Body.

Health (WHO definition)

A complete state of physical, social and mental wellbeing, and not just the absence of disease.

Anatomy

The study of structure and the relationship among structures.

Surface anatomy

A subdivision of anatomy that studies the form and markings of surface features.

Gross (macroscopic) anatomy

A subdivision of anatomy that examines structures that can be seen without a microscope.

Systemic (systematic) anatomy

A subdivision of anatomy that focuses on specific systems of the body.

Regional anatomy

A subdivision of anatomy that focuses on specific regions of the body.

Radiographic anatomy

A subdivision of anatomy that studies structures using x-rays.

Developmental anatomy

The study of development from fertilization to adulthood.

Embryology

The study of development from a fertilized egg through height week inutero.

Histology

The subdivision of anatomy that focuses on tissues.

Cytology

The subdivision of anatomy that focuses on cells.

Pathological anatomy

The subdivision of anatomy that studies structural changes associated with disease.

Physiology

The study of how body structures function.

Patho-physiology

A subdivision of physiology that studies functional changes associated with disease.

Neurophysiology

A subdivision of physiology that studies nerve cells.

Endocrinology

A subdivision of physiology that focuses on hormones.

Cardiovascular-physiology

A subdivision of physiology that focuses on the heart and blood vessels.

Immunology

A subdivision of physiology that studies defense mechanisms.

Respiratory physiology

A subdivision of physiology that focuses on the air passageways and lungs.

Renal physiology

A subdivision of physiology that studies the kidneys.

Cells

The basic structural and functional living units of an organism.

Tissues

Groups of similarly specialized cells and the substance surrounding them that usually arise from a common ancestor and perform certain special functions.

Organs

Structures of definite form that are composed of two or more different tissues and have specific functions.

Systems

Associations of organs that have a common function.

Metabolism

The sum of all the chemical processes that occur in the body.

Catabolism

The process that involves breaking down large complex molecules into smaller simpler ones.

Anabolism

The process that uses the energy from catabolism to build the body's structural and functional components.

Responsiveness

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

Movement

Motion of the whole body, individual organs, single cells, or even organelles inside cells.

Growth

An increase in size that results from an increase in the number or size of cells or both.

Differentiation

The change that a cell undergoes to develop from an unspecialized one to a specialized one.

Reproduction

Either the formation of new cells for growth, repair, or replacement, or the production of a new individual.

Homeostasis

A condition in which the internal environment (interstitial fluid) of the body remains within physiological limits in terms of chemical composition, temperature, and volume.