Foundations of Anatomy & Physiology: Methods, Variation, and Key Concepts (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from anatomy, physiology, scientific method, and human anatomical variation discussed in the lecture notes.

Physiology

The study of how the body functions and the mechanisms that keep systems working together.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and organization of the body.

Synovial joint

A joint with a fluid-filled cavity where bones articulate; the shape of the bones determines the possible movements.

Gross anatomy

The study of structures visible to the naked eye.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Histopathology

Microscopic examination of tissues for signs of disease (including cancer).

Cytology

The study of cells, their structure and function, including key cellular details (ultrastructure).

Ultrastructure

Fine details of cellular structure revealed by high-resolution techniques like electron microscopy.

Pathophysiology

The study of how disease processes alter normal function.

Neurophysiology

The study of the nervous system's function.

Endocrinology

The study of hormones and the endocrine system.

Comparative physiology

The study of physiological processes across species to inform understanding of human biology.

Scientific method

The two main approaches for acquiring knowledge: inductive method and hypothetico-deductive method, plus experimental design concepts.

Inductive method

Reasoning from many observations to general conclusions; knowledge built from repeated observations.

Hypothetico-deductive method

Form a testable hypothesis and derive predictions to test; conclusions must be falsifiable.

Falsifiability

The requirement that a claim be testable and potentially disprovable by evidence.

Proof beyond a reasonable doubt

Very strong, replicated evidence; scientific truth remains tentative and open to revision if credible contrary evidence appears.

Sample size

The number of subjects in a study; larger samples provide greater confidence in results.

Control group

The group that does not receive the experimental treatment, used for comparison.

Placebo

Inert treatment used to control for psychosomatic effects and maintain blinding.

Double-blind study

A study in which neither participants nor researchers know who is in the treatment vs. control group to prevent bias.

Peer review

Evaluation by independent experts before funding or publication to ensure quality and integrity.

Scientific fact

A claim that can be independently verified and replicated by others.

Law of nature

A general statement about how matter and energy behave, typically supported by repeated observations.

Theory

A broad, well-supported framework that explains phenomena and guides future research.

Cell theory

All living things are composed of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; new cells arise from existing cells.

Fluid mosaic model

The plasma membrane is a fluid phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins; dynamic and adaptable.

Sliding filament theory

Muscle contraction occurs as actin and myosin filaments slide past one another, shortening the sarcomere.

Organism

The whole living being; the most complex level in the biological hierarchy.

Organ system

A group of organs working together to perform a major function.

Organ

A structure composed of tissues that carries out a specific function.

Tissue

A group of similar cells and extracellular material that perform a common function.

Cell

The basic unit of life; the fundamental unit where cellular processes occur.

Organelle

A specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together; the building blocks of all compounds.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element that retains its properties; the basic unit of matter.

Anatomical variation

Individual differences in anatomy; no two humans are exactly alike.

Pelvic kidney

A kidney located in the pelvic region instead of the abdomen.

Horseshoe kidney

A congenital fusion of the kidneys at their lower poles, forming a U-shaped configuration.

Aorta bifurcation

The abdominal aorta dividing into the common iliac arteries.

Exploratory surgery

Surgical procedures used to inspect internal structures when noninvasive methods are inconclusive.

Medical imaging

Techniques (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI) used to visualize internal body structures.