Anatomy and Physiology Fundamentals – VOCAB Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on Week 1–Week 3 notes, covering core concepts in anatomy, physiology, tissues, membranes, organ systems, skin structure, and related terminology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the body and its parts.

Levels of Organization

A hierarchy from Subatomic Particles to Organism: Subatomic Particles → Atom → Molecule → Macromolecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism.

Internal Environment

Conditions inside the body.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Gradient

A difference in concentration, pressure, or another variable that drives movement.

Permeability

The ability of a membrane to allow substances to pass through.

Cellular Differentiation

Specialization of cells due to gene expression.

Cell Membrane Mechanisms

Controls entry of substances and responses to signals.

Cell to Cell Communication

Communication between cells via membrane receptors.

Feedback Loop

A control cycle in homeostasis involving receptor, control center, and effector.

Negative Feedback

Returns conditions to normal; deviation lessens; variable moves in opposite direction.

Positive Feedback

Amplifies a change; not typically homeostatic and is short-lived (e.g., childbirth contractions).

Receptor

Detects stimuli and provides information about the stimulus.

Control Center

Processes information and sets the set point (e.g., brain).

Effector

Muscle or gland that responds to the control center to restore balance.

Axial

Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular

Upper and lower limbs.

Cranial

Relating to the brain.

Vertebral

Relating to the spinal cord.

Thoracic

Lungs and thoracic viscera.

Abdominopelvic

Abdominal and pelvic viscera.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Mediastinum

Region between the lungs containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, and thymus.

Abdominal

Cavity from diaphragm to top of pelvis; contains stomach, liver, intestines, etc.

Pelvic

Cavity enclosed by pelvic bones; contains pelvic organs and lower organs.

Oral

Cavity of the mouth.

Nasal

Nose cavity.

Orbital

Eye socket.

Middle Ear

Cavity containing auditory structures in the skull.

Serous Membranes

Double-layer membranes that line cavities and secrete serous fluid; visceral layer covers organs; parietal layer lines cavities.

Visceral Layer

Inner layer that covers an organ.

Parietal Layer

Outer layer that lines the walls of a cavity.

Organ Systems

Groups of organs that work together (e.g., Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Digestive, Respiratory, Urinary, Reproductive).

Integumentary System

Body covering; protection; temperature regulation; sensory; vitamin D production.

Skeletal System

Support, movement, framework, protection, mineral storage, blood cell production.

Muscular System

Movement, body heat production, posture.

Nervous System

Integration and coordination of organ function; rapid responses; sensory processing.

Endocrine System

Hormones and regulation of body processes.

Cardiovascular System

Gas transport; nutrients, wastes, hormones; temperature regulation.

Lymphatic System

Fluid transport from tissues to blood; fat transport; immune defense with white blood cells.

Digestive System

Processes food and removes wastes.

Respiratory System

Moves air; gas exchange; oxygen intake.

Urinary System

Water balance; removes waste.

Reproductive System

Production and transport of sex cells and hormones.

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing forward, upper limbs at sides, palms facing forward.

Superior

Toward the head; above.

Inferior

Toward the feet; below.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Bilateral

On both sides of the body.

Proximal

Near the point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk.

Superficial

Near the surface.

Deep

More internal or away from the surface.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Midsagittal

Sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal

Sagittal plane that divides the body into unequal left and right parts.

Cross Section

A cut across the structure.

Oblique Section

An angled cut through a structure.

Longitudinal Section

A lengthwise cut.

Epithelial Tissue

Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, forms glands; avascular; tightly packed cells; regenerate rapidly.

Connective Tissue

Binds, supports, protects; has extracellular matrix; generally well vascularized; various tissue types.

Muscle Tissue

Specializes in contraction to produce movement; three types: skeletal, cardiac, smooth.

Nervous Tissue

Coordinates and regulates body activities; contains neurons and neuroglia.

Tight Junctions

Close spaces between cells by fusing membranes (e.g., in small intestine).

Desmosomes

Spot welds that bind cells together.

Gap Junctions

Channels allowing exchange of substances between adjacent cells (e.g., heart, GI tract).

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single layer of flat cells; rapid diffusion; lines alveoli and capillaries.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells; secretion and absorption; lines kidney tubules and glands.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Single layer of tall cells; nuclei near basement; may have microvilli or goblet cells; absorption and secretion.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

One layer that appears layered; nuclei at multiple levels; often with cilia and goblet cells.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Many layers; protective; lines mouth, vagina, anal canal.

Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

2–3 layers of cube-shaped cells; protects; lines ducts of some glands.

Stratified Columnar Epithelium

Several layers with tall outer cells; lines parts of male urethra and exocrine gland ducts.

Transitional Epithelium

Many layers; cells can stretch; lines urinary bladder and parts of ureters and urethra.

Glandular Epithelium

Epithelium cells that produce and secrete substances.

Exocrine Glands

Secrete into ducts or body surfaces.

Endocrine Glands

Secrete into the bloodstream (notes reflect ducts opening onto a surface in some descriptions).

Areolar Connective Tissue

Forms membranes; loose tissue with fibroblasts; nourishes epithelia.

Adipose Tissue

Store fat; cushions and insulates; beneath skin and around organs.

Reticular Connective Tissue

Network of reticular fibers supporting organs like liver and spleen.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Tightly packed collagenous fibers; strong in one direction; forms tendons and ligaments.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

Thick, interwoven collagen fibers; withstands tension in multiple directions (e.g., dermis).

Elastic Connective Tissue

Tissues with many elastic fibers; allows stretch (e.g., walls of arteries, vocal cords).

Hyaline Cartilage

Most common cartilage; fine collagen fibers; supports joints, nose, respiratory tract, embryonic skeleton.

Elastic Cartilage

Cartilage with elastic fibers; more flexible (ears, epiglottis).

Fibrocartilage

Tough cartilage with many collagen fibers; shock absorber (intervertebral discs, menisci).

Bone (osseous tissue)

Rigid connective tissue; mineralized matrix; supports, protects, stores minerals, and makes blood cells.

Compact Bone

Solid bone tissue organized in osteons with central canals.

Spongy Bone

Porous bone tissue with trabeculae; contains bone marrow.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells housed in lacunae.

Central Canal (Haversian Canal)

Run through osteons; contains blood vessels and nerves.

Blood

Formed elements (RBCs, WBCs, platelets) suspended in plasma.

Membranes

Sheets of tissue; include epithelial membranes (serous, mucous, cutaneous) and synovial membranes.

Serous Membranes

Line closed body cavities; secrete serous fluid for lubrication; consist of simple squamous epithelium and areolar tissue.