Chapter 1 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

A vocabulary set of key terms and definitions from Chapter 1 notes on anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure (morphology) of the body and its parts.

Physiology

The science that studies the functions of the body's parts.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter; subatomic particle.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Macromolecule

Large, biologically important molecules inside cells.

Organelles

Aggregates of macromolecules that carry out a specific function in the cell.

Cell

The basic living unit of structure and function.

Internal environment

The surroundings inside the body in which cells function.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Receptors

Sensors that detect changes and trigger responses.

Set point

The desired value for a controlled condition in homeostasis.

Effectors

Organs or cells that respond to restore homeostasis.

Negative feedback

A control mechanism that counteracts changes to return to the set point.

Positive feedback

Amplifies changes; typically used briefly in some processes.

Concentration gradient

A difference in concentration that drives movement of substances.

Pressure gradient

A difference in pressure that drives movement of fluids or air.

Gene expression

Accessing information in genes to make proteins that determine cell function.

Metabolism

The acquisition and use of energy by an organism.

Movement

Change in position of parts or the whole body, internally or externally.

Responsiveness

Reaction to internal or external changes.

Growth

Increase in size without a change in shape.

Reproduction

Production of offspring or new cells.

Digestion

Breaking down of food into simpler forms.

Absorption

Movement of substances through membranes into body fluids.

Circulation

Movement of substances within body fluids.

Assimilation

Changing absorbed nutrients into chemically different forms.

Excretion

Removal of metabolic wastes from the body.

Water

Essential for metabolic reactions, transport, and temperature regulation.

Food

Nutrients needed to supply energy and materials for building tissue.

Oxygen

Used to release energy from nutrients.

Heat

Byproduct of metabolism; affects the rate of reactions.

Pressure

Force necessary to move air or fluids.

Homeostatic mechanisms

Control systems that maintain internal conditions.

Negative feedback loop

A loop that reduces deviations from the set point.

Organ systems

Groups of related organs that work together to sustain life.

Integumentary system

Covers the body; includes skin, hair, nails, glands; protects, senses, regulates temperature, and synthesizes substances.

Skeletal system

Bones, ligaments, and cartilage; provides framework, protection, attachments, blood cell production, and mineral storage.

Muscular system

Muscles that enable movement, posture, and heat production.

Nervous system

Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sense organs; integrates information and controls responses.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones; regulate metabolism and other functions.

Cardiovascular system

Heart and blood vessels; distributes oxygen and nutrients and removes wastes.

Lymphatic system

Lymph vessels, nodes, thymus, and spleen; drains tissue fluid and supports immunity.

Digestive system

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines; processes and absorbs nutrients.

Respiratory system

Lungs and air passageways; exchanges gases between blood and air.

Urinary system

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; removes wastes and maintains water/electrolyte balance.

Reproductive system

Produces offspring; male: testes and associated structures; female: ovaries and related organs.

Viscera

Organs within body cavities.

Dorsal cavity

Cranial cavity and vertebral canal.

Ventral cavity

Thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Mediastinum

Area dividing the thorax into right and left halves.

Pleura

Membranes lining the thoracic cavity and covering the lungs; serous fluid between layers.

Parietal pleura

Lines the walls of the thoracic cavity.

Visceral pleura

Covers the lungs.

Pericardium

Membrane surrounding the heart; visceral and parietal layers with serous fluid.

Parietal pericardium

Lines the outer sac around the heart.

Visceral pericardium

Covers the heart.

Peritoneum

Lines the abdominopelvic cavity; parietal lines the wall; visceral covers organs.

Parietal peritoneum

Lines the abdominal wall.

Visceral peritoneum

Covers abdominal organs.

Peritoneal cavity

Potential space between parietal and visceral peritoneum.

Oral cavity

Mouth; cavity inside the head.

Nasal cavity

Cassage within the nose; air passageway.

Orbital cavities

Eye sockets that house the eyes.

Middle ear cavities

Small cavities in the skull housing the auditory apparatus.

Sagittal section

Divides the body into right and left portions.

Transverse section

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Coronal section

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Cross section

A cut perpendicular to the long axis of an organ.

Oblique section

A cut at an angle.

Longitudinal section

A cut along the length of an organ.

Nine abdominal regions

The abdomen can be divided into nine regions.

Aging

Aging begins at conception and affects cells, tissues, and organs.

Fertility decline

Female fertility declines in the 30s.

Skin changes with aging

Loss of collagen, elastin, and subcutaneous fat.

Drug metabolism in aging

Older individuals may metabolize drugs differently.

DNA repair

DNA repair falters with age, leading to mutations.

Beta-amyloid

Protein that may accumulate in the brain with aging.

Oxygen free radicals

Reactive molecules that can damage cells.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part.

Inferior

Toward the feet or lower part.

Anterior

Toward the front.

Posterior

Toward the back.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Proximal

Closest to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Near the surface.

Deep

Away from the surface; toward the interior.