ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY Chapter 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN BODY

Flashcards covering basic anatomy/physiology concepts, body organization, homeostasis, organ systems, imaging, microscopy, and prefixes/root words.

What is Anatomy?

The study of the structure and parts of the body and their relationships.

What is Physiology?

The science of how the body's parts function and work together.

What is Gross Anatomy?

The study of large body structures visible to the naked eye.

What is Microscopic Anatomy?

The study of body structures at the cellular or tissue level using a microscope.

List the levels of structural organization from atoms to organism.

Atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism.

What forms when atoms bond to create molecules with three-dimensional structures? (Give an example.)

Molecules with three-dimensional structures, such as a water molecule.

Define homeostasis.

The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment within the body.

Name the 11 organ systems that regulate homeostasis.

Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic/immune, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive systems.

What are the components of a control mechanism in homeostasis?

Receptor, control center, and effector (with a feedback response).

What type of feedback regulates body temperature in most homeostatic processes?

Negative feedback.

In a temperature regulation example, what is the sensor?

Nerve cells in the skin and brain.

In a temperature regulation example, what is the control center?

The brain.

In a temperature regulation example, what is the effector?

Sweat glands (and other effectors) that promote cooling.

Describe the clinical correlation of heat stroke described in the notes.

A man stopped sweating during hot weather, became dizzy and confused, pale blue skin, fainted; heat stroke due to failure of thermoregulation and dehydration.

What is the Anatomical Position?

A standard reference position: body upright, feet together, arms at sides, palms forward; right and left refer to the body being viewed.

What are the two major divisions of the body in regional terms?

Axial (head, neck, trunk) and Appendicular (limbs).

What do regional terms designate?

Specific areas within body divisions.

Name the three planes of the body.

Sagittal, Frontal (coronal), and Transverse planes.

What are the dorsal body cavities?

Cranial cavity and Vertebral (spinal) cavity.

What are the ventral body cavities?

Thoracic cavity (with mediastinum, pleural, and pericardial components) and Abdominopelvic cavity (abdominal and pelvic cavities).

What structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity?

The diaphragm.

How many abdominal regions are there?

Nine regions.

How many abdominal quadrants are there?

Four quadrants.

What is the serous membrane?

A membrane that lines ventral cavities and folds back to cover organs (e.g., around the heart).

What are the principal parts of a light microscope?

Ocular lens, objective lenses, body tube, stage, condenser, diaphragm, light source, coarse and fine focusing knobs, arm, base.

What part of the light microscope magnifies the specimen first?

Objective lenses (ocular lens also contributes to magnification).

What part transmits the image from the objective lens to the ocular lens?

Body tube.

What is the function of the condenser in a light microscope?

Condenser focuses light through the specimen.

What is the function of the diaphragm in a light microscope?

Controls the amount of light entering the condenser.

What is the function of the coarse focusing knob?

Roughly brings the specimen into focus by moving the stage.

What is the function of the fine focusing knob?

Fine-tunes the focus for a sharper image.

What does CT (CAT) scanning use and what is it good for?

X-ray technology to create clearer cross-sectional images; used to detect tumors, aneurysms, kidney stones, gallstones, etc.

What does MRI stand for and what does it detect?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging; uses magnets and hydrogen atoms to image soft tissues and detect conditions like cancer, brain/spinal disorders, and blood flow problems.

What imaging modality uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize internal structures?

Ultrasound.

What imaging technique uses radioactive isotopes to image metabolism and brain activity?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

Which imaging technique uses contrast to visualize vessels and the brain/heart vasculature?

Angiography.

What does the prefix 'Ab-' mean?

From, away.

What does the prefix 'Ad-' mean?

To, near, toward.

What does the prefix 'Circum-' mean?

Around.

What does the prefix 'End-' mean?

Within.

What does the prefix 'Peri-' mean?

Around.

What does the prefix 'Trans-' mean?

Through, across.

What does the prefix 'Uni-' mean?

One.

What does the prefix 'Bi-' mean?

Two.

What does the prefix 'Tri-' mean?

Three.

What does the prefix 'Quad-' mean?

Four.

What does the prefix 'Poly-' mean?

Many.

What does the prefix 'Oligo-' mean?

Few.

What does the prefix 'Micro-' mean?

Small.

What does the prefix 'Macro-' mean?

Large.

What does the prefix 'Mega-' mean?

Very large.

What does Cardi/o refer to?

Heart.

What does Dermat/o refer to?

Skin.