The Human Body: An Orientation (Chapter 1 Part 1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomy and physiology concepts from Chapter 1 Part 1.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the human body.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Gross anatomy

Study of large structures visible to the naked eye; includes regional and systemic anatomy.

Regional anatomy

A subdivision of gross anatomy focusing on a specific region of the body.

Systemic anatomy

Study of the organ systems of the body.

Surface anatomy

Study of external features to understand internal structures.

Microscopic anatomy (histology)

Study of tissues at the microscopic level.

Developmental anatomy

Study of structural changes from fertilization to birth (embryology).

Embryology

Study of development of an organism before birth.

Pathological anatomy (pathology)

Study of structural changes caused by disease.

Radiographic anatomy

Anatomy as studied through radiographic imaging.

Functional morphology

Relationship between the structure of an organism and its function.

Chemical level

Atoms form molecules; the first level of structural organization.

Cellular level

Cells and their functional subunits.

Tissue level

A group of cells performing a common function.

Organ level

A discrete structure composed of more than one tissue.

Organ system level

Organs working together for a common purpose.

Organismal level

The whole living person resulting from all simpler levels.

Integumentary system

External body covering; protects tissues, synthesizes vitamin D, and houses cutaneous receptors and glands.

Skeletal system

Protects and supports organs; provides a framework for muscles; bone marrow forms blood cells; stores minerals.

Muscular system

Moves the body; involved in locomotion, facial expression, posture, and heat production.

Nervous system

Fast-acting control system; responds to changes and activates muscles and glands.

Endocrine system

Glands secrete hormones regulating growth, reproduction, and nutrient use.

Cardiovascular system

Blood vessels transport blood; heart pumps blood through vessels.

Lymphatic system/Immunity

Returns leaked fluid to blood, disposes of debris, houses lymphocytes, and mounts defense against foreign substances.

Respiratory system

Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide; gas exchange occurs in the lungs.

Digestive system

Breaks down food into absorbable units and eliminates indigestible matter as feces.

Urinary system

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes and regulates water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance.

Male reproductive system

Produces sperm and male hormones; ducts and glands aid in delivering sperm.

Female reproductive system

Produces eggs and female hormones; site for fertilization and fetal development; mammary glands produce milk.

Metric system

System of measurement used in anatomy: meter, centimeter, micrometer, liter, milliliter, kilogram, gram.

Anatomical terminology

Based on Greek or Latin roots; provides standard nomenclature worldwide.

Anatomical position

Standard reference posture: person stands erect with feet together and eyes forward; palms face anteriorly.

Axial region

Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular region

Limbs (arms and legs).

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure.

Inferior (caudal)

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

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the outer side.

Proximal

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

Distal

Further from the origin of a body part or from the point of attachment of a limb.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward or at the back of the body.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body.

Superficial (external)

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep (internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Sagittal plane

Extends vertically and divides the body into right and left parts.

Median (midsagittal) plane

Sagittal plane that runs along the midline.

Parasagittal plane

A sagittal plane offset from the midline.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Lies vertically and divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

Runs horizontally and divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal body cavity

Cranial cavity and vertebral (spinal) cavity.

Ventral body cavity

Thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Pleural cavities

Two cavities surrounding the lungs, within the thoracic cavity.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart within the mediastinum.

Abdominal cavity

Contains liver, stomach, kidneys, and other digestive organs.

Pelvic cavity

Contains bladder and reproductive organs, plus rectum.

Serous membranes

Slit-like spaces lined by serous membranes (parietal and visceral) that secrete serous fluid.

Parietal serosa

Lines the walls of a cavity.

Visceral serosa

Covers the organs within a cavity.

Serous fluid

Fluid produced by both layers of the serous membranes to reduce friction.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering abdominal organs.

Abdominal quadrants

Division of the abdomen into four quadrants: RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ.

RUQ/LUQ/RLQ/LLQ

Right/Left Upper/Lower Quadrants of the abdomen.

Microscopy

Examining small structures with a microscope (light and electron).

Histology

Study of tissues using microscopy.

Fixed

Preserved tissue prepared for microscopy.

Sectioned

Tissue cut into thin sections for viewing.

Stained

Tissues treated with stains (acidic or basic) to distinguish structures.

Artifacts

Distortions in preserved tissues not present in living tissue.

X-ray

Imaging using electromagnetic waves; best for visualizing bones.

CT (computed tomography)

Series of X-ray images processed into detailed cross-sectional pictures.

Angiography

Imaging of blood vessels using a contrast medium.

DSA (digital subtraction angiography)

Images taken before and after contrast; subtracts to reveal blockages.

PET

Positron emission tomography; images formed by detecting radioactive isotopes.

Ultrasound (sonography)

Imaging using high-frequency sound waves to visualize tissues.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging; high-contrast images of soft tissues.

Notochord

Flexible embryonic rod that defines the axis of the body and contributes to the vertebral column.

Dorsal hollow nerve cord

Nerve cord along the dorsal surface that becomes the brain and spinal cord.

Pharyngeal pouches

Embryonic structures that give rise to various head and neck structures.