Human Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from introductory human anatomy, tissues, the skeletal system, and the muscular system.

Anatomy

The branch of science that studies the structure of the body.

Physiology

The branch of science that describes how the body functions.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment in response to a changing environment.

Anatomical Position

Position where the body is standing erect, facing forward, with arms at the sides and toes and palms directed forward.

Sagittal plane

A plane that divides the body lengthwise into right and left portions.

Frontal plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body horizontally into upper and lower portions.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit electrical signals between the brain and spinal cord.

Neuroglia

Cells that support and take care of the neurons.

Regeneration

Replacement of tissue by identical cells during tissue repair.

Fibrosis

Replacement of tissue by fibrous connective tissue (scar tissue).

Osseous tissue

Bone tissue.

Ossification

The process of bone formation.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that deposit bone on the outer surface and mature into osteocytes.

Osteoclasts

Cells involved in osteoclastic activity (resorption) that hollow bone.

Compact bone

Dense, hard bone tissue found primarily in the shafts of long bones and on the outer surfaces of other bones.

Spongy bone

Bone tissue that is less dense than compact bone, located primarily at the ends of long bones and in the center of other bones.

Intramembranous ossification

Replacement of thin connective tissue membrane with bone, occurring in flat bones.

Endochondral ossification

Replacement of fetal cartilage skeleton with bone, occurring in long, irregular, and short bones.

Fontanels

Fibrous membranes between infant cranial bones that allow skull compression during birth.

Hallux

The great toe.

Twitch

Single muscle response in which muscle contracts and then fully relaxes.

Tetanus

Sustained muscle contraction caused by repeated stimulation.

Tonus

Normal, continuous state of partial muscle contraction.

Hypertrophy

Muscle growth in response to overuse.

Atrophy

Muscle wasting caused by disuse, denervation, or senility.

Contracture

Abnormal fibrous formation in muscle that freezes in a flexed position.