Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Chapter 1 outline of Anatomy & Physiology: An Integrative Approach.

Anatomy

Studies the form and structure of the body.

Physiology

Examines how the body functions.

Scientific method

A systematic and rigorous process by which scientists examine natural events through observation, develop a hypothesis, experiment and test, and determine if data support or reject the hypothesis.

Microscopic anatomy

Branch of anatomy that examines structures that cannot be observed by the unaided eye.

Cytology

The study of body cells and their internal structure.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Gross anatomy

Branch of anatomy, also known as macroscopic anatomy, that investigates structures visible to the unaided eye.

Systemic anatomy

Division of gross anatomy that studies the anatomy of each body system.

Regional anatomy

Division of gross anatomy that examines the structures in a body region.

Surface anatomy

Division of gross anatomy focusing on superficial anatomic markings and internal body structures.

Comparative anatomy

Division of gross anatomy that examines anatomical similarities and differences in different species.

Embryology

Study of developmental changes from conception to birth.

Pathologic anatomy

Division of anatomy that examines macroscopic and microscopic anatomic changes resulting from disease.

Radiographic anatomy

Division of anatomy that investigates internal structures visualized by scanning procedures.

Cardiovascular physiology

Subdiscipline of physiology that examines the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Neurophysiology

Subdiscipline of physiology that studies the functioning of nerves and nervous system organs.

Respiratory physiology

Subdiscipline of physiology that explores the functioning of respiratory organs.

Reproductive physiology

Subdiscipline of physiology that investigates the functioning of reproductive hormones and the reproductive cycle.

Pathophysiology

Subdiscipline of physiology focusing on the function of a body system during disease or injury to the system.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within the body.

Anabolism

Metabolic process where small molecules are joined to form larger ones.

Catabolism

Metabolic process where large molecules are broken down into smaller ones.

Responsiveness

The ability to sense and react to stimuli.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain a consistent internal environment in response to changing internal or external conditions.

Anatomic position

Common reference position characterized by an upright stance, feet parallel and flat on the floor, upper limbs at sides, palms facing anteriorly (toward the front), head level, and eyes looking forward.

Coronal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts; also called frontal plane.

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts; also called cross-sectional plane.

Midsagittal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into equal left and right halves; also called median plane.

Sagittal plane

Plane parallel to the midsagittal plane, but left or right of it, dividing structures into unequal portions.

Oblique plane

Plane that passes through a structure at an angle.

Axial region

Main body region composed of the head, neck, and trunk, forming the main vertical axis of the body.

Appendicular region

Main body region composed of the upper and lower limbs.

Cranial cavity

Subdivision of the posterior aspect formed by the bones of the cranium that houses the brain; also called endocranium.

Vertebral canal

Subdivision of the posterior aspect formed by the bones of the vertebral column that houses the spinal cord.

Parietal layer

Outer layer of a serous membrane lining the internal surface of the body wall.

Visceral layer

Inner layer of a serous membrane covering the external surface of organs (viscera).

Serous fluid

Liquid secreted by cells in a serous membrane that acts as a lubricant to reduce friction caused by organ movement against the body wall.

Mediastinum

Median space in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels that connect to the heart.

Pericardium

Two-layered serous membrane enclosing the heart, consisting of parietal and visceral layers.

Pleura

Two-layered serous membrane associated with the lungs, consisting of parietal and visceral layers.

Peritoneum

Two-layered serous membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity, consisting of parietal and visceral layers.

Receptor

Component of a homeostatic system that detects changes in a variable (stimulus).

Control center

Component of a homeostatic system that interprets input from a receptor and initiates changes through an effector.

Effector

Component of a homeostatic system that brings about changes to alter the stimulus.

Negative feedback

Homeostatic control mechanism in which the resulting action is in the opposite direction of the stimulus to keep a variable within a normal range.

Positive feedback

Homeostatic control mechanism in which a stimulus is reinforced to continue moving a variable in the same direction until a climactic event occurs.