Anatomy and Physiology - Overview, Homeostasis, and Language of Anatomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering introductory anatomy and physiology concepts, levels of structural organization, homeostasis, body planes, directional terms, and regional anatomical landmarks.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body & body parts & the relationships to one another.

Gross Anatomy

Study of large observable structures.

Microscopic Anatomy

Study of cells & tissues of body.

Physiology

Study of how the body & its parts work or function.

Atom

Building blocks of matter.

Cell

Smallest units of all living things.

Tissue

Groups of similar cells that have a common function.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions even though the external env. is continuously changing.

Receptor

Receives stimulus response via afferent pathway.

Control Center

Determines set point and analyzes incoming information to determine appropriate response.

Effector

Provides response via efferent pathway.

Negative Feedback Mechanisms

Mechanisms where the net effect of response is to shut off original stimulus or reduce its intensity; chief regulators of homeostasis under normal healthy conditions.

Positive Feedback mechanisms

Mechanisms involving a series of chain reactions of ever-increasing magnitude where a response triggers the next response.

Homeostatic Imbalance

Condition that can result in illness, disease, &/or death.

Metabolism

The term that indicates all chemical reactions occurring in the body.

Anatomical Position

Body is erect with the feet parallel & the arms hanging at the sides with the palms facing forward.

Section

A cut through body wall (MRI), organ (dissection), or tissue (slide).

Sagittal Section

Lengthwise (longitudinal) division into right & left parts.

Midsagittal Section

Lengthwise division where right & left parts have equal size.

Frontal Section

Lengthwise (longitudinal) division into anterior & posterior parts.

Transverse Section

Cross-sectional division into superior & inferior parts.

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward or at the backside of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Abdominal

Anterior body trunk inferior to ribs.

Acromial

Point of shoulder.

Antecubital

Anterior surface of elbow.

Axillary

Armpit.

Brachial

Arm.

Buccal

Cheek area.

Carpal

Wrist.

Cervical

Neck region.

Coxal

Hip.

Crural

Leg.

Digital

Fingers, toes.

Femoral

Thigh.

Fibular

Lateral part of leg.

Inguinal

Area thigh meets body trunk; groin.

Nasal

Nose area.

Oral

Mouth.

Orbital

Eye area.

Patellar

Anterior knee.

Pelvic

Area overlying anterior pelvis.

Pubic

Genital region.

Sternal

Breastbone area.

Tarsal

Ankle region.

Thoracic

Chest.

Umbilical

Navel.

Calcaneal

Heel of foot.

Cephalic

Head.

Deltoid

Curve of shoulder formed by large deltoid muscle.

Gluteal

Buttock.

Lumbar

Area of back b/w ribs & hips.

Occipital

Posterior surface of head.

Olecranal

Posterior surface of elbow.

Popliteal

Posterior knee area.

Sacral

Area between hips.

Scapular

Shoulder blade region.

Sural

Posterior surface of lower leg; calf.

Vertebral

Area of spine.

Plantar

Sole of the foot.