Human Body Orientation, Structural Organization, and Homeostasis

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering human anatomy, physiology, methods of form study, structural hierarchy, necessary life functions, organ systems, survival needs, and homeostatic control mechanisms.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts, derived from the Greek words "ana" (apart) and "tomy" (to cut).

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work or function.

Inspection

An anatomical examination technique using the eyes to examine structures of the human body.

Palpation

An anatomical examination method involving feeling a body structure with the fingertips.

Auscultation

An anatomical examination technique that involves listening to natural body sounds.

Percussion

An examination procedure where a clinician taps on the body and listens for abnormal sounds.

Cadaver Dissection

The cutting and separation of tissues to reveal their structural relationships.

Exploratory Surgery

Opening the body to take a look inside.

Medical Imaging

Viewing the inside of the body without surgery.

Gross Anatomy

The study of body structures that can be seen with the naked eye.

Cytology

The study of the structure and function of cells ("cyto" = cell, "ology" = study of).

Histology

Microscopic anatomy focused on the examination of cells and tissues with a microscope ("histo" = tissues).

Ultrastructure

The molecular detail seen in electron microscopy used to visualize organelles inside cells.

Histopathology

The microscopic examination of tissues for signs of disease ("pathology" = study of disease).

Human Genome Map Completion

A landmark achievement completed in 2003 in modern biomedical science that enabled gene therapy treatments for disease.

Organism

A single, complete individual or living thing composed of organ systems.

Organ System Level

A level of structural organization consisting of different organs that work together closely; the human body is made of 11 organ systems.

Organ

A structure composed of 2 or more tissue types that work together to carry out a particular function.

Tissue

A mass of similar cells and cell products that form a discrete region of an organ and performs a specific function.

Cell

The smallest unit of an organism that carries out all the basic functions of life.

Organelle

Microscopic structures in a cell that carry out its individual functions, serving as the cell's machinery or organs.

Atom

The smallest particle with a unique chemical identity that combines with other atoms to form molecules.

Responsiveness (Irritability)

A necessary life function defined as the ability to sense changes in the environment and react.

Digestion

A necessary life function involving the break-down and absorption of nutrients.

Metabolism

Chemical reactions within the body that produce energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and build body structures like muscle mass or hormones.

Excretion

The life function responsible for eliminating waste produced from metabolic reactions.

Growth

A necessary life function that increases cell size and the overall number of cells.

Digestive System

An organ system that takes in nutrients, breaks them down, and eliminates unabsorbed matter as feces.

Respiratory System

An organ system that takes in oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide.

Cardiovascular System

An organ system that, via blood, distributes oxygen and nutrients to all body cells and delivers wastes and carbon dioxide to disposal organs.

Urinary System

An organ system that eliminates nitrogenous wastes and excess ions in the form of urine.

Integumentary System

An organ system that protects the body as a whole from the external environment.

Interstitial Fluid

The fluid through which nutrients and wastes pass between blood and body cells.

Survival Needs

Factors required in appropriate amounts for human survival, including nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, and appropriate atmospheric pressure.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment, described as a dynamic state of equilibrium necessary for normal body functioning and sustaining life.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A disturbance in homeostasis that may result in disease.

Receptor

A homeostatic control component that detects a change or stimulus in a variable.

Afferent Pathway

The route along which input information is transmitted from a receptor to the control center.

Efferent Pathway

The route along which output information is transmitted from the control center to an effector.

Effector

A body component that receives output from the control center and feeds back a response to reduce the effect of the stimulus, returning the variable to a homeostatic level.

Thermoregulatory Center

The control center located in the brain that receives input regarding temperature changes and triggers efferent responses to restore normal body temperature.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

A primary homeostatic control mechanism in which the body senses a change and activates mechanisms to shut off or reduce the intensity of the original stimulus, maintaining dynamic equilibrium.

Thermostat Negative Feedback Analogy

A mechanical model of negative feedback where room temperature falling to $66^{\text{o}}\text{F}$ ($19^{\text{o}}\text{C}$) activates a furnace, and heat output raises the temperature to $70^{\text{o}}\text{F}$ ($21^{\text{o}}\text{C}$), causing the thermostat to shut off the furnace.