Anatomy and Physiology: Key Concepts, Terminology, and Body Organization

Space it out

Studying in short sessions over time is more effective than cramming.

Mix it up

Incorporating new information with older material and other subjects.

Science

A way of observing and measuring natural phenomena to explain them.

Human Anatomy

Study of the structure or form of the human body.

Human Physiology

Study of the body's functions.

Surface anatomy

Examines surface markings.

Regional Anatomy

Examines the body in separate areas such as head or neck.

gross anatomy

Examines structures that can be seen with the naked eye.

Microscopic Anatomy

Examines cells (cytology) and tissues (histology) with the use of a microscope.

Systemic Anatomy

Examines individual organ systems.

Cardiophysiology

Study of the physiology of the heart.

Neurophysiology

Study of the physiology of the nervous system.

Characteristics of living organisms

Includes cellular composition, metabolism, growth, excretion, responsiveness, movement, and reproduction.

Structural Levels of Organization

Includes chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels.

Organism

Word roots

Examples: card/I _______, encephala/o _______, gastr/o _______, hepat/o _______

Prefix

Examples: a/an _______, endo _______, hypo _______, sub _______

Suffix

Examples: genesis _______, it is _______, ology _______, philic _______

Anatomical position

Directional Terminology

Describes relative locations of body parts and markings. Ensures accurate ________________ among scientists and healthcare professionals.

Anterior / Posterior

Superior / Inferior

Proximal / Distal

Medial / Lateral

Superficial / Deep

Axial and Appendicular

2 broad regions of skeleton

Planes of Section

Imaginary lines that ________________________, usually used for examination of more specific areas.

Sagittal Plane

Frontal Plane

Transverse Plane

Oblique Plane

Taken at an angle. Used much less frequently.

Serous membranes

Thin sheets of tissue that fold over to form a continuous double-layered structure filled with serous (clear/yellow watery) fluid to lubricate organs in the cavity.

Visceral layer

thin membrane lining the outer surface of organs in body cavities

Parietal layer

the outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the walls of a body cavity

Posterior Body Cavity

Located on the posterior side of the body.

Cranial Cavity

(within the skull, includes the brain).

Spinal Cavity

(within the vertebral column, includes the spinal cord).

Anterior Body Cavity

Thoracic cavity

Pleural cavities

(surround left and right lungs).

Mediastinum

(btw pleural cavities; houses heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus).

Pericardial cavity

(within mediastinum; serous membrane that surrounds heart).

Abdominopelvic cavity

(contains organs from digestive, lymphatic, urinary, and reproductive systems).

Abdominal cavity

Extends from the diaphragm to the bony pelvis.

Peritoneal cavity

Largest serous membrane in the body; surrounds some abdominal organs.

Pelvic cavity

Located within the bony pelvis.

Medical Imaging

Used to look inside patients without surgery.

X-ray

Uses ionizing radiation - radiation that carries enough energy to free electrons from atoms or molecules, resulting in ionization.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Uses ionizing radiation. A 3D image is computer generated from data.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Uses a magnetic field to computer generate a 3D image from data.

Core Principles in Anatomy and Physiology

Basic concepts of anatomy and physiology that you will repeatedly encounter when studying the human body.

Feedback loops

A change in a regulated variable causes effects that feed back and in turn affect that same variable.

Negative Feedback

Negates the initial change and reduces the output; promotes stability by negating any stimulus that moves a variable away from homeostasis.

Positive Feedback

Enhances the initial change and increases the output; less common than negative feedback and will eventually shut off in response to an external stimulus.

Homeostasis

The condition in which the body develops and maintains a relatively stable environment.

Steps of a feedback loop

1. Stimulus - information that a regulated variable is outside the normal range. 2. Receptor or Sensor - cellular structure that registers the stimulus. 3. Control center - stimulus is sent to the control center (brain or gland) by the nervous or endocrine systems. 4. Effector - the cells or organ that will react. 5. Response - effector causes the response that will return the variable to the normal range.

Homeostasis: Blood Sugar

Refers to the regulation of blood sugar levels in the body.

Positive Feedback Loop: Childbirth

1. Stimulus - baby's head stretches the cervix. 2. Receptors - nerves in the cervix send signals to the brain. 3. Control center - brain, which received the signal from nerves in cervix. 4. Effector - uterus, which produces the hormone oxytocin which stimulates uterine contractions. 5. Response - uterine contractions. This response is continuously amplified until baby is born, which stops the feedback loop.

Pitocin

A synthetic version of oxytocin that is used when labor needs to be artificially started, or induced.

Structure and Function

The form of a structure is such that it best suits its function.

Gradients

Present any time more of something exists in one area than another and the two areas are connected; often drives many physiological processes.

Cell to cell communication

Cells communicate with each other in order to maintain homeostasis.