Human Anatomy and Physiology Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to human anatomy and physiology, including embryology, various biological systems, and structural organization.

What is embryology?

The first eight weeks of development after fertilization of a human egg.

What does developmental biology study?

Complete development of an individual from fertilization to death.

What is the focus of cell biology?

Cellular structure and functions.

What does histology examine?

The microscopic structure of tissues.

What is gross anatomy?

Structures that can be examined without a microscope.

What does systemic anatomy focus on?

The structure of specific systems of the body such as the nervous or respiratory systems.

What does regional anatomy study?

Specific regions of the body such as the head or chest.

What is surface anatomy?

Surface markings of the body to understand internal anatomy through visualization and palpation.

What is imaging anatomy?

Internal structures that can be visualized with techniques such as x-rays, MRI, and CT scans.

What is pathological anatomy?

Structural changes associated with disease.

What is molecular physiology?

Functions of individual molecules such as proteins and DNA.

What does neurophysiology focus on?

Functional properties of nerve cells.

What is endocrinology?

The study of hormones and how they control body functions.

What does cardiovascular physiology study?

Functions of the heart and blood vessels.

What is immunology?

The body’s defenses against disease-causing agents.

What is respiratory physiology?

Functions of the air passageways and lungs.

What does renal physiology focus on?

Functions of the kidneys.

What is exercise physiology?

Changes in cell and organ functions due to muscular activity.

What does pathophysiology examine?

Functional changes associated with disease and aging.

What is metabolism?

The breaking down of complex chemical substances into simpler components.

What is responsiveness in terms of life processes?

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

What does movement refer to in living organisms?

Motion of the whole body, individual organs, or single cells.

What is growth in biological terms?

Increase in body size or number of cells.

What is differentiation?

The development of a cell from an unspecialized to a specialized state.

What does reproduction involve?

Formation of new cells, tissue growth, replacement, or production of a new individual.

What is homeostasis?

Condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment, maintained by regulatory processes.

What are extracellular fluids?

Fluids outside the cells, like blood plasma and lymph.

What is the function of the integumentary system?

Skin, hair, nails, and glands which help eliminate waste.

What does the skeletal system provide?

A framework for the body.

What do lymph nodes do?

Drain excess water from the body and fight off bacteria.

What is the main function of the respiratory system?

Exchange of gases, getting rid of carbon dioxide and inhaling oxygen.

What does the urinary system do?

Eliminates waste via urine.

What are the two types of feedback systems?

Negative and positive feedback systems.

What is a negative feedback system?

Reverses a change in a controlled condition.

What does a positive feedback system do?

Strengthens or reinforces a change in the body’s controlled conditions.

What does the anatomical position refer to?

The standard position of reference when describing any region or part of the human body.

What do planes in anatomical terminology do?

Imaginary flat surfaces used to divide the body.

What is the cranial cavity?

The cavity that contains the brain.

What is the purpose of serous membranes?

Covers viscera within the thoracic and abdominal cavities and lines their walls.

Which plane divides the body into left and right parts?

The sagittal plane.

What does the thoracic cavity contain?

The heart and lungs.

What are the abdominopelvic quadrants?

Right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower quadrants.

What does Superior (cephalic or cranial) mean in anatomy?

This directional term indicates a position toward the head end of the body or the upper part of any structure, suggesting a position above another part. For example, the heart is considered superior to the liver because it is located above it in the torso.

What does Inferior (caudal) mean in anatomy?

Inferior describes a position away from the head end of the body or toward the lower part of a structure, indicating a location below another part. For instance, the stomach is inferior to the lungs, as it lies beneath them in the abdominal cavity.

What does Anterior (ventral) mean in anatomy?

Anterior refers to a position nearer to or at the front of the body or a structure. It describes something positioned towards the belly side. For example, the sternum (breastbone) is anterior to the heart, as it lies in front of the heart.

What does Posterior (dorsal) mean in anatomy?

Posterior indicates a position nearer to or at the back of the body or a structure. It describes something positioned towards the back side. For example, the esophagus (food tube) is posterior to the trachea (windpipe), meaning it is behind the trachea.

What does Medial mean in anatomy?

Medial describes a position nearer to the midline of the body, which is an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal right and left sides. Therefore, structures closer to this central line are medial. For example, the ulna (a bone in the forearm) is medial to the radius (another forearm bone), meaning it's closer to the body's midline when in anatomical position.

What does Lateral mean in anatomy?

Lateral indicates a position farther from the midline of the body or a structure, meaning it is more toward the side. For example, the lungs are lateral to the heart, as they are positioned to the sides of the heart.

What does Intermediate mean in anatomy?

Intermediate defines a position that is between two other structures. This term helps to specify the relative location when three structures are considered. For example, the transverse colon is intermediate to the ascending and descending colons, situated between these two segments.

What does Ipsilateral mean in anatomy?

Ipsilateral refers to structures located on the same side of the body as another structure. It highlights a relationship between two points on the same half of the body. For example, the gallbladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral, both being on the right side of the abdominal cavity.

What does Contralateral mean in anatomy?

Contralateral describes structures located on the opposite side of the body from another structure. This term emphasizes a cross-body relationship. For example, the ascending colon (on the right side) and descending colon (on the left side) are contralateral to each other.

What does Proximal mean in anatomy?

Proximal denotes a position nearer to the attachment point of a limb to the trunk, or nearer to the origination of any structure. This term is typically used for limbs or tubular organs. For example, the humerus (arm bone) is proximal to the radius because it is closer to the shoulder joint, which attaches the arm to the trunk.

What does Distal mean in anatomy?

Distal indicates a position farther from the attachment point of a limb to the trunk, or farther from the origination of a structure. This term is the opposite of proximal. For example, the phalanges (finger bones) are distal to the carpals (wrist bones) because they are further away from the point where the arm attaches to the body.

What does Superficial (external) mean in anatomy?

Superficial describes a position toward or on the surface of the body. It refers to structures that are closer to the exterior. For example, the ribs are superficial to the lungs, as the ribs are closer to the chest wall than the lungs within.

What does Deep (internal) mean in anatomy?

Deep indicates a position away from the surface of the body; it refers to structures located further inward or beneath other structures. This term is the opposite of superficial. For example, the ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back, meaning they lie beneath the skin and muscles.