Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary

Flashcards for vocabulary review.

Anatomy

The scientific discipline that investigates the body's structures, examining the shape and size of bones.

Embryology

A subspecialty of developmental anatomy that considers changes from conception to the end of the eighth week of development.

Cytology

Examines the structural features of cells.

Histology

Examines tissues, which are composed of cells and the materials surrounding them.

Gross anatomy

The study of structures that can be examined without the aid of a microscope, approached either systemically or regionally.

Surface anatomy

Looking at the exterior of the body to visualize structures deeper inside the body.

Anatomical imaging

Uses radiographs (X-rays), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other technologies to create pictures of internal structures.

Anatomical anomalies

Physical characteristics that differ from the normal pattern and can vary in severity.

Physiology

The scientific investigation of the processes or functions of living things.

Cell physiology

Examines the processes occurring in cells such as energy production from food

Systemic physiology

Considers the functions of organ systems.

Pathology

Medical science dealing with all aspects of disease, with an emphasis on the cause and development of abnormal conditions, as well as the structural and functional changes resulting from disease.

Exercise Physiology

Focuses on the changes in function and structure caused by exercise.

Microbe

Any life form that can only be seen with a microscope (e.g., bacteria, fungi, and protozoa).

Prokaryotic

Term used to describe bacterial and archaea cells.

Eukaryotic cells

Includes human cells, have the most structural complexity with many smaller structures, called organelles, made with membrane.

Microbiota

The total population of microbial cells on the human body.

Microbiome

The collection of all the microbial cell genes.

Organ system

A group of organs that together perform a common function or set of functions and are therefore viewed as a unit.

Organization (in biology)

The specific interrelationships among the parts of an organism and how those parts interact to perform specific functions.

Metabolism

The ability to use energy and to perform other vital functions; refers to all of the chemical reactions taking place in the cells and internal environment of an organism.

Responsiveness

An organism's ability to sense changes in its external or internal environment and adjust to those changes.

Growth

An increase in the size or number of cells, which produces an overall enlargement of all or part of an organism.

Development

Includes the changes an organism undergoes through time, beginning with fertilization and ending at death.

Differentiation

Changes in a cell's structure and function from an immature, generalized state to a mature, specialized state.

Morphogenesis

The change in shape of tissues, organs, and the entire organism.

Reproduction

The formation of new cells or new organisms.

Homeostasis

The existence and maintenance of a relatively constant environment within the body.

Variables

Conditions in internal body

Negative feedback

A mechanism that functions to diminish any deviation from its set point.

Positive feedback

A mechanism that results in a deviation from the set point becoming even greater.

Receptor

Monitors the value of a variable by detecting stimuli.

Control center

Determines the set point for the variable and receives input from the receptor about the variable.

Effector

Generates the response that adjusts the value of a changed variable.

Cardiac tamponade

A potentially fatal condition in which a large volume of fluid or blood accumulates in the pericardial cavity and compresses the heart from the outside.

Pericarditis

Condition is an inflammation of the pericardium.

Pleurisy

Condition is an inflammation of the pleura.

Peritonitis

Condition is an inflammation of the peritoneum.

Anatomical position

A person standing erect with the face directed forward, the upper limbs hanging to the sides, and the palms of the hands facing forward.

Medial

Means toward the midline

Lateral

Means away from the midline.

Superficial

Describes a structure close to the surface of the body.

Deep

Toward the interior of the body.

Proximal

Close to.

Distal

Far from.

Sagittal plane

Separates the body or a structure into right and left halves.

Median plane

A sagittal plane that passes through the midline of the body, dividing it into equal right and left halves.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Runs parallel to the ground, dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) halves.

Longitudinal section

A cut through the length of the organ

Transverse (cross) section

A cut at a right angle to the length of an organ.

Dorsal body cavity

Encloses the organs of the nervous system, the brain and spinal cord.

Ventral body cavity

Houses the vast majority of our internal organs

Parietal serous membrane

The layer that lines the walls of the cavities.

Visceral serous membrane

The layer which covers the internal organs (the viscera).

Mesentery

The region of double-folded visceral peritoneum that forms a pathway for nerves and blood vessels to reach the digestive organs.

Retroperitoneal organs

Organs tightly adhered to the posterior body wall and are covered by peritoneum only on their peritoneal cavity side.