An Introduction to the Human Body Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering introductory concepts, subdisciplines of anatomy and physiology, organ systems, directional terminology, serous membranes, medical imaging procedures, homeostasis, and aging based on Chapter 1 of Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (15th Edition).

Anatomy

The study of structure.

Physiology

The study of how body parts function.

Embryology

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

Developmental biology

The study of the complete development of an individual from fertilization to death.

Cell biology

The study of cellular structure and functions.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Gross anatomy

The study of structures that can be examined without a microscope.

Systemic anatomy

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

Regional anatomy

The study of specific regions of the body such as the head or chest.

Surface anatomy

The study of surface markings of the body to understand internal anatomy through visualization and palpation (gentle touch).

Imaging anatomy

The study of internal body structures that can be visualized with techniques such as x-rays, MRI, CT scans, and other technologies for clinical analysis and medical intervention.

Pathological anatomy

The study of structural changes (gross to microscopic) associated with disease.

Molecular physiology

The study of the functions of individual molecules such as proteins and DNA.

Neurophysiology

The study of the functional properties of nerve cells.

Endocrinology

The study of hormones (chemical regulators in the blood) and how they control body functions.

Cardiovascular physiology

The study of the functions of the heart and blood vessels.

Immunology

The study of the body's defenses against disease-causing agents.

Respiratory physiology

The study of the functions of the air passageways and lungs.

Renal physiology

The study of the functions of the kidneys.

Exercise physiology

The study of changes in cell and organ functions due to muscular activity.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes associated with disease and aging.

Integumentary System

Body system composed of skin, hair, fingernails, toenails, sweat glands, and oil glands; protects body, regulates temperature, eliminates waste, helps make vitamin D, detects sensations, stores fat, and provides insulation.

Skeletal System

Body system composed of bones, joints, and cartilages; supports and protects the body, provides surface area for muscle attachments, aids body movements, houses blood cell-producing cells, and stores minerals and lipids.

Muscular System

Body system composed specifically of skeletal muscle tissue; participates in body movements, maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous System

Body system composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and special sense organs; generates action potentials to regulate body activities, detects changes in internal/external environments, interprets changes, and responds.

Endocrine System

Body system composed of hormone-producing glands and cells; regulates body activities by releasing hormones into the blood.

Cardiovascular System

Body system composed of blood, heart, and blood vessels; pumps blood to transport oxygen, nutrients, and wastes, helps regulate acid-base balance, temperature, and water content, and aids in disease defense and vessel repair.

Lymphatic System and Immunity

Body system composed of lymphatic fluid, vessels, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, tonsils, and B and T cells; returns proteins/fluid to blood, carries lipids, and protects against disease-causing microbes.

Respiratory System

Body system composed of lungs, pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchial tubes; transfers oxygen from inhaled air to blood, carbon dioxide from blood to exhaled air, regulates acid-base balance, and produces sound.

Digestive System

Body system composed of organs of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs; achieves physical and chemical breakdown of food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates solid wastes.

Urinary System

Body system composed of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; produces, stores, and eliminates urine, eliminates wastes, regulates volume/chemical composition of blood, and maintains acid-base and mineral balance.

Reproductive Systems

Body system composed of gonads and associated organs; produces gametes that unite to form a new organism, releases regulating hormones, and transports and stores gametes.

Homeostasis

A condition of equilibrium, or balance, in the body's internal environment.

Extracellular fluid

The fluid surrounding body cells, the precise chemical composition of which is vital for cell survival.

Anatomical position

A standardized method of observing or imaging the body where a person stands erect, facing the observer, upper extremities at the sides, palms turned forward, and feet flat on the floor.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head, or the upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head, or the lower part of a structure.

Anterior

Directional term meaning nearer to or at the front of the body.

Posterior

Directional term meaning nearer to or at the back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning nearer to the midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning farther from the midline.

Intermediate

Directional term meaning between two structures.

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning on the same side of the body as another structure.

Contralateral

Directional term meaning on the opposite side of the body from another structure.

Proximal

Directional term meaning nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk or nearer to the origination of a structure.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk or farther from the origination of a structure.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface of the body.

Serous membranes

Thin, double-layered membranes that cover the viscera within the thoracic and abdominal cavities and line the walls of the thorax and abdomen to reduce friction.

Retroperitoneal

The classification given to some organs because they are not surrounded by the peritoneum, but are located posterior to it.

Radiography

An imaging procedure where a single barrage of x-rays passes through the body, producing a two-dimensional image on x-ray-sensitive film called a radiograph.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging procedure where the body is exposed to a high-energy magnetic field and radio waves to assemble a color-coded two- or three-dimensional blueprint of cellular chemistry.

Computed Tomography (CT)

A form of computer-assisted radiography where an x-ray beam traces an arc at multiple angles around a body section to produce a transverse image called a CT scan.

Ultrasound Scanning

An imaging procedure where high-frequency sound waves produced by a handheld wand reflect off body tissues to produce a still or moving image called a sonogram.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA)

A computer-assisted radiography scan where an iodine-containing contrast medium and a beta blocker are administered to generate a 3D image of coronary blood vessels in less than 20 seconds.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging procedure where a positron-emitting substance is injected into the body and collisions with electrons produce gamma rays to display metabolic activity in color.

Endoscopy

The visual examination of the inside of body organs or cavities using a lighted instrument with lenses called an endoscope.

Radionuclide Scanning

An imaging procedure where a radioactive substance is introduced intravenously and gamma rays emitted are detected by a gamma camera to construct a colored image of tissue activity.

Aging

A normal process characterized by a progressive decline in the body's ability to restore homeostasis.