Anatomy & Physiology for Estheticians – Chapter 2 Review

These question-and-answer flashcards cover the major anatomical and physiological concepts estheticians must know from Chapter 2, including tissue types, body systems, muscles, bones, nerves, and their relevance to skin care treatments.

What are the two main areas of study defined in this chapter?

Anatomy (structure of the body) and Physiology (function of body structures).

How many basic tissue types are found in the human body?

Four: connective, epithelial, muscle, and nerve tissue.

Which tissue type supports, protects, and binds together other tissues?

Connective tissue.

Give three examples of connective tissue.

Bone, cartilage, ligaments (others include tendons, fascia, blood, fat, collagen, elastin).

Which tissue forms a protective lining on body cavities and organs?

Epithelial tissue.

What are the three types of muscle tissue?

Cardiac, skeletal (voluntary), and smooth (involuntary).

What special cells make up nerve tissue?

Neurons.

List the body systems estheticians must understand (MURDERS LINC mnemonic).

Muscular, Urinary/Excretory, Respiratory, Digestive, Endocrine, Reproductive, Skeletal, Lymphatic/Immune, Integumentary, Nervous, Circulatory.

Name the six primary functions of the integumentary system (SHAPES).

Sensation, Heat regulation, Absorption, Protection, Excretion, Secretion.

What are the five accessory organs (appendages) of the skin?

Hair follicle/hair, sensory receptors, nails, sebaceous glands, sudoriferous glands.

How many primary functions does the skeletal system perform and what is one of them?

Five; examples: gives shape/support, protects organs, serves as levers for muscles, produces blood cells, stores minerals.

How many bones are in the adult human skeleton?

206 bones.

How many bones make up the cranium?

Eight.

Which bone is U-shaped and supports the tongue?

Hyoid bone.

What is the medical term for the collarbone?

Clavicle.

Which forearm bone is on the little-finger side?

Ulna.

Name the largest, strongest bone in the body.

Femur (thigh bone).

What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

To circulate blood steadily through the body via the heart and blood vessels.

Differentiate arteries and veins by wall thickness and direction of blood flow.

Arteries have thick walls and carry oxygenated blood away from the heart; veins have thinner walls and carry blood back to the heart.

What are capillaries responsible for?

Exchanging nutrients and waste between blood and tissues.

List two critical functions of blood.

Carries oxygen/nutrients to cells; removes carbon dioxide/waste (others: regulates temperature, fights infection, forms clots).

What are the four basic components of blood?

Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, plasma.

Which arteries supply blood to the head, face, and neck?

Common carotid arteries.

What fluid does the lymphatic system transport instead of blood?

Lymph.

Name two primary functions of the lymphatic/immune system.

Defends against disease and drains excess interstitial fluid from tissues.

Which organ detoxifies blood and produces digestive enzymes within the lymphatic system?

The liver.

Why must estheticians understand the endocrine system?

Hormonal imbalances affect hair growth, oil production, acne, pigmentation, and treatment outcomes.

Which gland is known as the master gland affecting many physiological processes?

Pituitary gland.

Which endocrine glands regulate the body’s stress response and blood pressure?

Adrenal glands.

What hormones are primarily produced by the reproductive system?

Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone.

How can hormonal changes during perimenopause show on the skin?

Acne, loss of collagen/elastin, hair changes, pigmentation shifts.

Which muscular action draws a body part toward the midline?

Adduction.

Define supination in terms of hand movement.

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces upward (holding “soup”).

During esthetic massage, pressure is generally directed from which part of a muscle?

From insertion toward origin.

Name the broad scalp muscle covering the skull.

Epicranius (occipitofrontalis).

Which muscle closes the eye?

Orbicularis oculi.

What muscle is primarily responsible for chewing along with the temporalis?

Masseter.

Which neck muscle rotates the head side-to-side?

Sternocleidomastoid (SCM).

How many cranial nerves are there and which three concern estheticians most?

Twelve; the 5th (trigeminal), 7th (facial), and 11th (accessory) nerves.

What are the three major branches of the 5th cranial nerve?

Ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular.

Which cranial nerve controls the muscles of facial expression?

7th cranial (facial) nerve.

Which cranial nerve controls neck muscle motion and is affected during facial massage?

11th cranial (accessory) nerve.

Which nerve can cause fainting when overstimulated?

Vagus nerve.

What are the three main subdivisions of the nervous system?

Central (CNS), Peripheral (PNS), Autonomic (ANS).

Which part of the nervous system controls involuntary actions such as breathing and heart rate?

Autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Define reflex in neurological terms.

An automatic response where a sensory impulse travels to the spinal cord and a motor impulse returns, causing action without conscious thought.

What is the scientific study of the nervous system called?

Neurology.

In respiration, what occurs during inhalation versus exhalation?

Inhalation draws oxygen into lungs and blood; exhalation expels carbon dioxide.

List the five steps of digestion in order.

Ingestion, peristalsis, digestion, absorption, defecation.

Which digestive organ stores bile and detoxifies blood?

The liver (stores bile in gall bladder but secretes it).

Name the main organs of the urinary system.

Two kidneys, two ureters, bladder, urethra.

Which excretory organ eliminates salts and minerals through perspiration?

The skin.

How many muscles are found in the human body and how many in the face alone?

Over 630 total; about 30 in the face.

Identify two esthetic modalities that can influence muscle tissue besides massage.

Electrical therapy currents (e.g., microcurrent) and light rays (e.g., LED).

What does the term ‘origin’ refer to in a skeletal muscle?

The fixed attachment point of the muscle closest to the skeleton.

Which muscle draws the eyebrows down, causing vertical forehead lines?

Corrugator muscle.

What action do the zygomaticus muscles perform?

Elevate the lip when laughing or smiling.

Which blood vessels are closer to the skin surface and why does this matter to estheticians?

Veins; knowing their location helps avoid bruising and complications during treatments.

What skin appearance might indicate impaired circulatory function?

Sallow or pale complexion and slower healing.

Define fascia in terms of connective tissue.

A sheet of connective tissue that separates or binds muscles together.

What protein adds strength to connective tissue, holding body parts together?

Collagen.

Which protein gives certain tissues elasticity and stretch?

Elastin.

Which muscle elevates the upper eyelid and can be easily damaged?

Levator palpebrae superioris.

Give the anatomical term for the wrist bones collectively.

Carpus (composed of eight carpals).

Which cranial nerve provides the chief sensory supply to the face?

5th cranial (trigeminal) nerve.

What function does the spleen serve in the lymphatic system?

Acts as a large lymph node, fights infection, and detoxifies blood.

Name two triggers that might overstimulate the vagus nerve during treatment.

Standing quickly, sight of blood, stress, pain, or pressure on throat/sinus/eyes.

Why is understanding skeletal landmarks like the sternum important for full-body treatments?

To guide safe product or electrode placement and maintain proper ergonomics.

Which cranial nerve branch affects the muscles of the cheek important for smiling?

Buccal branch of the 7th cranial nerve.

Describe the difference between pronation and supination of the forearm.

Pronation turns the palm downward; supination turns the palm upward.

What movement does the platysma muscle perform?

Lowers the lower jaw and lip.

Which large back muscle is involved in arm movements and posture?

Latissimus dorsi.

What term describes tiny, thin-walled vessels connecting arterioles and venules?

Capillaries.

How many miles of blood vessels does an adult human have approximately?

Over 60,000 miles.

Which endocrine gland regulates metabolism, heart rate, and digestive function?

Thyroid gland.

What key information should estheticians gather from a client’s intake form regarding body systems?

Health conditions or medications affecting circulation, hormones, digestion, or immune response that could alter treatment plans.

Which bones form the palm of the hand?

Metacarpal bones.

What is the scientific name for the shinbone?

Tibia.

Which skeletal function is critical for mineral storage?

Bones store calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium.

Why must estheticians recognize changes in a client’s skin between visits?

Skin changes may signal internal body-system issues requiring treatment adjustments or medical referral.

How does sebum secretion benefit the skin?

Helps maintain water balance and overall skin health.

Which cranial nerve branch supplies the upper eyelid, forehead, and scalp?

Supraorbital nerve (branch of 5th cranial).