Chapter 1 – Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

100 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, structures, and concepts from Chapter 1: Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology.

Anatomy

The scientific study of the form and structure of the body.

Physiology

The scientific study of how body parts function at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels.

Form-Function Relationship

Concept that anatomical structures are specifically shaped to perform their physiological roles.

Scientific Method

Systematic process involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and conclusion.

Hypothesis

A proposed, testable explanation for an observed phenomenon.

Microscopic Anatomy

Branch of anatomy that examines structures invisible to the naked eye using a microscope.

Cytology

Study of body cells and their internal structures.

Histology

Study of tissues and how they are arranged into organs.

Gross (Macroscopic) Anatomy

Study of large, visible structures that can be seen without magnification.

Systemic Anatomy

Examination of the anatomy of each body system individually.

Regional Anatomy

Study of all structures in a particular body region.

Surface Anatomy

Study of superficial landmarks and the internal structures they relate to.

Comparative Anatomy

Study of similarities and differences in anatomy across different species.

Embryology

Study of developmental changes from conception to birth.

Pathologic Anatomy

Examination of structural changes caused by disease.

Radiographic Anatomy

Study of internal structures using imaging techniques such as X-ray, CT, or MRI.

Cardiovascular Physiology

Study of the function of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.

Neurophysiology

Study of nerve function and nervous system organs.

Respiratory Physiology

Study of the function of respiratory organs and gas exchange.

Reproductive Physiology

Study of reproductive hormones and the reproductive cycle.

Pathophysiology

Study of how disease or injury affects body system functions.

Anabolism

Metabolic process that builds larger molecules from smaller ones.

Catabolism

Metabolic process that breaks large molecules into smaller units.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical reactions occurring within the body.

Organization (Biological)

Characteristic of life describing complex structural arrangement.

Responsiveness

Ability of an organism to detect and react to stimuli.

Regulation

Ability to adjust internal functions in response to environmental changes.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changing conditions.

Reproduction

Process of producing new cells or organisms for growth, maintenance, or continuation of species.

Chemical Level

Lowest level of organization consisting of atoms and molecules.

Cellular Level

Level including cells, the basic units of life.

Tissue Level

Group of similar cells performing a common function.

Organ Level

Structure composed of two or more tissue types working together.

Organ System Level

Group of related organs that coordinate activities.

Organismal Level

Highest level where all body systems work together in a living person.

Integumentary System

Organ system providing protection, regulating temperature, and preventing water loss; includes skin, hair, and nails.

Skeletal System

Organ system providing support, protection, and mineral storage; composed of bones and cartilage.

Muscular System

System producing movement, maintaining posture, and generating heat.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system consisting of brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Endocrine System

Hormone-secreting glands regulating growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Cardiovascular System

System transporting blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes via heart and vessels.

Lymphatic System

System returning fluid to blood and providing immune response.

Respiratory System

System responsible for gas exchange between blood and air.

Urinary System

System removing waste products from blood and maintaining water-electrolyte balance.

Digestive System

System that digests food, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste.

Reproductive System

Organs and glands involved in producing offspring; includes male and female structures.

Anatomic Position

Standard body posture: upright, feet parallel, palms forward, head level, eyes ahead.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane dividing body into superior and inferior parts.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into equal right and left halves.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane parallel to midsagittal, creating unequal right and left portions.

Oblique Plane

Plane that cuts through the body at an angle.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body; synonymous with ventral in humans.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body; synonymous with dorsal in humans.

Dorsal

Back side of the body; opposite of ventral.

Ventral

Belly side of the body; opposite of dorsal.

Proximal

Closer to a point of attachment to trunk.

Distal

Farther from a point of attachment to trunk.

Axial Region

Central part of body including head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Region

Portion of body containing upper and lower limbs.

Posterior Aspect

Body cavity region completely encased in bone; includes cranial cavity and vertebral canal.

Ventral Cavity

Large, anterior body cavity divided by the diaphragm into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Space within the skull housing the brain.

Vertebral Canal

Space within vertebral column housing the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Superior portion of ventral cavity containing lungs and mediastinum.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Inferior portion of ventral cavity housing abdominal and pelvic organs.

Serous Membrane

Two-layered membrane lining ventral cavities and covering organs.

Parietal Layer

Outer layer of a serous membrane lining body cavity walls.

Visceral Layer

Inner layer of serous membrane covering organ surfaces.

Serous Cavity

Potential space between parietal and visceral layers.

Serous Fluid

Lubricating liquid reducing friction between moving organs and body wall.

Mediastinum

Median thoracic space containing heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and vessels.

Pericardium

Two-layered serous membrane surrounding the heart.

Parietal Pericardium

Outer layer of pericardium forming sac around heart.

Visceral Pericardium

Inner pericardial layer forming heart’s external surface.

Pericardial Cavity

Space between pericardial layers filled with serous fluid.

Pleura

Two-layered serous membrane enveloping the lungs.

Parietal Pleura

Outer pleural layer lining inner surface of thoracic wall.

Visceral Pleura

Inner pleural layer covering lung surface.

Pleural Cavity

Space between pleural layers containing serous fluid.

Peritoneum

Two-layered serous membrane lining abdominopelvic cavity.

Parietal Peritoneum

Outer peritoneal layer lining abdominal wall.

Visceral Peritoneum

Inner peritoneal layer covering abdominal and pelvic organs.

Peritoneal Cavity

Space between peritoneal layers containing serous fluid.

Umbilical Region

Central abdominopelvic region surrounding the navel.

Epigastric Region

Abdominopelvic region superior to umbilical region.

Hypogastric Region

Abdominopelvic region inferior to umbilical region.

Hypochondriac Regions

Right and left regions inferior to costal cartilages and lateral to epigastric region.

Lumbar Regions

Right and left regions lateral to umbilical region.

Iliac Regions

Right and left regions lateral to hypogastric region.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Upper right section of abdominopelvic cavity used clinically.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Upper left section of abdominopelvic cavity used clinically.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Lower right section of abdominopelvic cavity used clinically.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Lower left section of abdominopelvic cavity used clinically.

Receptor (Homeostasis)

Structure that detects changes in a variable or stimulus.

Control Center

Structure interpreting receptor input and initiating response.

Effector

Structure that carries out adjustments to alter the stimulus.

Negative Feedback

Homeostatic mechanism that reverses a change to keep a variable within normal range.

Positive Feedback

Homeostatic mechanism that amplifies a change until a climactic event occurs.

Set Point

Ideal normal value around which a physiological variable fluctuates.