Chapter 1: Orientation to the Human Body

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering the orientation to the human body, including levels of organization, organ systems, anatomical terms, and homeostasis.

Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body

Physiology

The study of how the body functions

Cells

The smallest living units that make up the body’s structure.

Organelles

Metabolic units within cells that are not living units on their own.

Integumentary System

The organ system consisting of the skin, hair, and nails.

Skeletal System

The organ system consisting of bones, cartilage, and ligaments.

Muscular System

The organ system consisting primarily of skeletal muscles.

Lymphatic System

The organ system that supplies the body with immune cells, consisting of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, lymph, thymus, spleen, and tonsils.

Respiratory System

The organ system consisting of the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Urinary System

The organ system consisting of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Nervous System

The organ system consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and sense organs.

Endocrine System

The organ system consisting of the pituitary gland, adrenals, pancreas, thyroid, parathyroids, and other organs.

Circulatory System

The organ system consisting of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Digestive System

The organ system consisting of the stomach, small and large intestines, esophagus, liver, mouth, and pancreas.

Male Reproductive System

The organ system consisting of the testes, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicles, and penis.

Female Reproductive System

The organ system consisting of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and breasts.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term referring to the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term referring to the back of the body.

Superior

Directional term referring to a position above or toward the head.

Inferior

Directional term referring to a position below or toward the feet.

Medial

Directional term referring to a position toward the body's midline.

Lateral

Directional term referring to a position away from the body's midline.

Proximal

Directional term referring to a position closer to the trunk or point of origin; opposite of distal.

Distal

Directional term referring to a position farther from the trunk or point of origin; opposite of proximal.

Superficial

Directional term referring to a position near the body surface.

Deep

Directional term referring to a position away from the body surface.

Sagittal plane

A plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions.

Frontal plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Mediastinum

The specific anatomical region within the thoracic cavity where the heart is located.

Dorsal cavity

The body cavity located at the back of the body consisting of the cranial and vertebral (spinal) cavities.

Homeostasis

The state of dynamic equilibrium of the internal environment of the body.

Receptor

A component of homeostatic regulation that detects change.

Control center

An area of the body that receives and processes information from the receptor during homeostatic regulation.

Effector

The component that sends signals (feedback) to either oppose or enhance a stimulus.

Negative feedback

A homeostatic process where the effector opposes the stimulus and reverses the direction of change to maintain equilibrium.

Positive feedback

A process where the effector reinforces the stimulus and amplifies the direction of change.