Anatomy and Physiology: Week 1 Definitions and Terms

Flashcards providing definitions and terms from the Week 1 lecture on Anatomy and Physiology, covering subjects from basic anatomical concepts to organ systems, tissues, and early embryonic development.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the organism and parts of the organism.

Developmental Anatomy

A specific branch of anatomy that studies structural changes from conception through maturity.

Neuroanatomy

A specific branch of anatomy focusing on the nervous system.

Applied Anatomy

A specific branch of anatomy focused on the practical application of anatomical knowledge. It relates anatomical facts to diagnosis and treatment, and is particularly relevant in fields like surgery, medicine, and dentistry.

Microscopic Anatomy

A specific branch of anatomy that studies structures visible only with a microscope.

Gross Anatomy

A specific branch of anatomy that studies structures visible to the naked eye.

Anatomic Variability

The high degree of variation in anatomy among individuals (e.g., eye color, hair color, height and build), despite general consistency.

Physiology

The study of the function of the human body and how its parts work together to form behavior.

Pathology

The study of the nature of diseases and the structural and functional changes associated with diseases in an individual.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position of the body: standing face forward with palms facing forward.

Coronal Plane

A plane of reference that divides the body into anterior and posterior (front and back) sections.

Sagittal Plane

A plane of reference that divides the body into left and right sections.

Midsagittal Plane

A specific sagittal plane that divides the body exactly into equal left and right halves.

Transverse/Horizontal Plane

A plane of reference that divides the body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) sections.

Anterior

Towards the front.

Posterior

Towards the back.

Ventral

Towards the belly.

Dorsal

Towards the back.

Cranial

Towards the head.

Cephalad

Towards the brain.

Rostral

Towards the nose.

Caudal/Caudad

Towards the tail.

Superior

Up or above.

Inferior

Down or below.

Supra-

Prefix meaning above.

Infra-

Prefix meaning below.

Central

Located centrally.

Peripheral

Further from the center.

Lateral

Out to the sides.

Medial

Towards the middle.

Contra-

Prefix meaning opposite side.

Ipsi-

Prefix meaning same side.

Deep

More internal.

Superficial

More towards the surface.

Ecto-/External/Extra-

Prefixes meaning on the outside.

Endo-/Internal/Intra-

Prefixes meaning on the inside.

Distal

Farther away from the point of attachment or origin.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Prone

Lying face down.

Supine

Lying face up.

Axial

Referring to the trunk of the body.

Appendicular

Referring to the arms and legs.

System

A group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole (e.g., respiratory system, skeletal system, digestive system).

Subsystems for CSD

Specific systems involved in speech production/perception, including the nervous system, auditory system, respiratory subsystem, phonation, articulatory system, and resonation.

Nervous System (CSD context)

The overriding system that controls all aspects of speech (perception and production), language, hearing, swallowing, and phonation.

Auditory System (CSD context)

The subsystem responsible for speech perception.

Respiratory Subsystem (CSD context)

The subsystem that moves air to produce speech.

Phonation (CSD context)

The subsystem responsible for producing sound.

Articulatory System (CSD context)

The subsystem involving the shaping of articulators for speech.

Resonation (CSD context)

The subsystem focusing on how sound resonates throughout the body.

Tissues

Groups or layers of similar cells that perform a specific function.

Cells

Composed of organelles and the building blocks of tissues.

Nucleus

The organelle responsible for genetic control and ribosome synthesis.

Mitochondria

The organelle responsible for energy production.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that lines the surface of the body, passages communicating with the external environment, and body cavities (e.g., stomach); functions in protection and secretion.

Epithelial Tissue Proper

The type of epithelial tissue that forms the skin lining.

Endothelial Tissue

The type of epithelial tissue that lines blood and lymph structures.

Mesothelial Tissue

The type of epithelial tissue that lines internal body cavities (e.g., cardiac cavity, pleural cavities) not continuous with the skin.

Connective Tissue

Tissues that hold structures together, provide support to body structures, and aid in body maintenance; characterized by fewer cells and more extracellular substance (matrix).

Matrix

Extracellular components of connective tissue.

Loose Connective Tissue

Space-filling, 'packing material' connective tissue that helps bind parts together, found in areas with fat pads.

Dense Connective Tissue

Connective tissue with tightly packed bundles of extracellular fibers that help hold structures together.

Tendons

Tough, non-elastic dense connective tissue that attaches muscle to muscle, muscle to bone, or muscle to cartilage.

Ligaments

Tough, elastic dense connective tissue that joins bone to bone, bone to cartilage, or cartilage to cartilage.

Fascia

Dense connective tissue that underlies the skin, encases different structures, and keeps muscle tissue together.

Cartilage

A specialized connective tissue that can be rigid, flexible, or semi-elastic.

Fibrous Cartilage

Rigid and coarse cartilage that absorbs shock, located between the bones of the vertebral column and between the temporal bone and mandible.

Hyaline Cartilage

The most abundant, whitish cartilage with some flexibility but still fairly rigid, found connecting to the ribs and forming most cartilages in the larynx (e.g., Adam's apple).

Elastic Cartilage

Very flexible, yellowish cartilage, found in the nose and outer ear.

Bone

Specialized connective tissue composed of collagen and matrix intermixed with minerals (calcium), providing skeletal support and protecting vital organs.

Periosteum

The dense outer compact layer covering bone.

Vascular Tissue

'Fluid tissues' (blood, lymph) that make up 10% of body weight, bringing food/oxygen to cells, removing waste, distributing heat, and defending against infection.

Joints

Structures that provide mobility to bones.

Fibrous Joints (Synarthrodial)

Immovable joints, found between bones of the skull.

Cartilaginous Joints (Amphiarthrodial)

Yielding joints with limited movement.

Synovial Joints (Diarthrodial)

Movable joints.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue involved in all movements and voluntary behaviors, controlled by neural stimulation, enabling movement through contractility.

Muscle Cells (Muscle Fibers)

Individual cells that form muscle tissue and can contract.

Striated Muscle

Voluntary muscle tissue, also known as skeletal muscle.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found only in the heart.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found in internal organs.

Skeletal Muscles

Protected and encased by connective tissue, bundles of muscle fibers (fasciculi) surrounded by endomysium, perimysium, epimusium, and fascia.

Endomysium

Connective tissue surrounding individual skeletal muscle fibers.

Fasciculi

Bundles of muscle fibers.

Perimysium

Connective tissue surrounding each fasciculus.

Epimusium

Connective tissue encasing groups of fasciculi.

Origin (Musculature)

The fixed attachment point of a muscle that does not move during contraction.

Insertion (Musculature)

The attachment point of a muscle to a structure that moves during contraction.

Action (Musculature)

The direct result of muscle movement (e.g., flexion, extension).

Flexion

The action of bringing structures together.

Extension

The action of bringing structures apart.

Agonistic Muscles

Muscles that contract to produce a movement (e.g., biceps contractions).

Antagonistic Muscles

Muscles that oppose the action of agonistic muscles (e.g., triceps contractions).

Nervous Tissue

Elongated specialized tissues with electrochemical composition modified in response to environmental changes, transmitting information via chemical and electrical means.

Neuron

One of the two types of cells in nervous tissue, responsible for transmitting information.

Glial Cells

One of the two types of cells in nervous tissue, supporting and protecting neurons.

Cell Body and Dendrites

Parts of a neuron that receive signals.

Axon and Terminal Endings

Parts of a neuron that transmit signals.

Sensory (Afferent) Neurons

Neurons that transmit signals towards the CNS.

Motor (Efferent) Neurons

Neurons that transmit signals away from the CNS to muscles or glands.