An Introduction to the Human Body (1.1–1.5)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and definitions from sections 1.1–1.5 (anatomy and physiology basics, levels of organization, homeostasis, terminology, planes, cavities, and abdominopelvic regions/quadrants).

Anatomy

The science of body structures and the relationships among them.

Physiology

The science of body functions and how the body works.

Developmental biology

The growth and development of an individual from fertilization to death.

Embryology

The first eight weeks after fertilization; earliest stage of development.

Cell biology

Cellular structure and functions.

Histology

Microscopic structure of tissue.

Gross anatomy

Structures that can be examined without a microscope.

Systemic anatomy

Structure of specific body systems (e.g., respiratory system).

Regional anatomy

Structure of specific regions of the body (e.g., head).

Surface anatomy

Surface marks of the body to infer internal anatomy via vision and palpation.

Imaging anatomy

Internal structures visualized with X-ray, MRI, CT scans, and similar techniques.

Clinical anatomy

Application of anatomy to medical practice to aid diagnosis and treatment.

Pathological anatomy

Structural changes associated with disease.

Molecular physiology

Functions of individual molecules (e.g., proteins, DNA).

Neurophysiology

Functional properties of nerve cells.

Endocrinology

Hormones and chemical regulators in the blood that control body functions.

Cardiovascular physiology

Functions of the heart and blood vessels.

Immunology

The body's defenses against disease-causing agents.

Respiratory physiology

Functions of the air passageways and lungs.

Renal physiology

Functions of the kidneys.

Exercise physiology

Changes in cell and organ function due to muscular activity.

Pathophysiology

Functional changes associated with disease and aging.

Levels of structural organization

Six levels: chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, system, organismal.

Chemical level

Atoms and molecules join to form chemicals; essential life elements include C, H, O, N, P, Ca, S.

Essential life elements

Key chemical elements (C, H, O, N, P, Ca, S) needed for life.

Molecules

Structures formed from atoms that make cells.

Tissues

Groups of cells and surrounding materials performing a function.

Epithelial tissue

One of the four basic tissue types.

Connective tissue

One of the four basic tissue types.

Muscular tissue

One of the four basic tissue types.

Nervous tissue

One of the four basic tissue types.

Organ

Structure made of two or more tissues with a specific function and recognizable shape.

System

A group of organs that work together for a common function.

Organismal level

The whole living individual.

Basic life processes

Metabolism, responsiveness, movement, growth, differentiation, reproduction.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical processes in the body.

Catabolism

Breakdown of complex chemicals.

Anabolism

Building up of complex chemicals.

Responsiveness

The body's ability to sense and respond to changes.

Movement

Motion of body parts and substances.

Growth

Increase in body size due to cell size increase.

Differentiation

Development of unspecialized cells into specialized cells.

Reproduction

Formation of new cells or new organisms.

Stem cells

Precursor cells that divide and give rise to differentiated cells.

Death

Cessation of life processes; death of cells or tissue.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions via regulatory systems.

Intracellular fluid (ICF)

Fluid inside cells.

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside cells.

Interstitial fluid

Fluid between cells.

Feedback system

Cycle of monitoring, evaluating, changing, and reevaluating in homeostasis.

Receptor

Sensor that monitors changes in a controlled condition.

Control center

Evaluates input and generates output commands.

Effector

Produces a response to restore homeostasis.

Afferent pathway

Pathway toward the control center (toward the brain).

Efferent pathway

Pathway away from the control center.

Set point

Target value maintained in a controlled condition.

Negative feedback

Reverses a change in a controlled environment.

Positive feedback

Amplifies or reinforces a change.

Homeostatic imbalance

Disturbance in maintaining homeostasis; health can be affected.

Disorder

Abnormality of structure or function.

Disease

Illness with recognizable signs and symptoms.

Symptoms

Subjective changes reported by a patient.

Signs

Objective changes observed by others.

Epidemiology

Why, when, and where diseases occur and how they are transmitted.

Pharmacology

Science dealing with the effects and usage of drugs in treatments.

Diagnosis

Distinguishing a disease from a disorder.

Anatomical position

Standard standing position: body erect, facing forward, limbs aligned.

Prone

Lying face down.

Supine

Lying face up.

Head region

Bones and tissues of the skull, face, and associated features.

Neck

Supports the head and attaches it to the trunk.

Trunk

Chest, abdomen, and pelvis.

Upper limb

Shoulder, armpit, arm, forearm, wrist, and hand.

Lower limb

Buttock, hip, thigh, leg, ankle, and foot.

Anterior

Toward the front.

Posterior

Toward the back.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part.

Inferior

Away from the head or lower part.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the side.

Intermediate

Between two structures.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body as another structure.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body as another structure.

Proximal

Nearer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Near the surface of the body.

Deep

Away from the surface; more internal.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane passing through the body lengthwise, left and right.

Paramedian plane

Sagittal plane that divides the body into unequal halves.

Coronal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Oblique plane

Any plane passing through the body at an angle other than 90 degrees.

Section

A cut of a body or organ along a plane.

Median sagittal plane

Also called midsagittal plane; divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Body cavities

Spaces that enclose organs.

Membrane

Thin, pliable tissue that covers, lines, partitions, or connects structures.

Serous membrane

Double-layer membrane with parietal and visceral layers; serous fluid between layers.

Pleura

Serous membrane of the pleural cavities surrounding the lungs.

Pericardium

Serous membrane of the pericardial cavity around the heart.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane of the abdominal cavity.