Anatomy & Physiology Lecture Notes – Organ Systems, Levels, and Lab Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and components from the lecture notes on anatomy, physiology, organ systems, and basic lab concepts.

Organism

Any living thing; a plant or an animal.

Multicellular

Composed of many cells; cells are microscopic living structures.

Organismic

Adjective form of organism.

Anatomy

Study of the structure of the body and its parts.

Physiology

Study of the functions of the body's parts and how they work.

Chemical level

The smallest, least complex level of organization, including atoms and molecules.

Cellular level

Level of organization that consists of cells.

Tissue level

Level of organization consisting of groups of similar cells and surrounding materials.

Organ level

Level where structures called organs perform specific functions.

Organ system level

Level consisting of related organs that work together; the fifth level of organization.

Organismic level

Largest, most complex level of organization.

Integumentary system

System covering the outer surface of the body; protects against injury and pathogens; includes skin, hair, nails, and glands.

Skin

The main organ of the integumentary system; protects and interacts with the environment.

Hair

A component of the integumentary system along with nails and glands.

Nails

Hard coverings on digits; part of the integumentary system.

Sebaceous glands

Oil glands of the skin; secrete sebum.

Sudoriferous glands

Sweat glands that produce perspiration.

Skeletal system

Internal framework; stores minerals; produces blood cells.

Bones

Living structures forming the body's framework; have blood vessels and nerves.

Joints

Points where two or more bones meet; allow movement.

Ligaments

Connect bone to bone; stabilize joints.

Cartilage

Connective tissue; provides flexible support; includes intervertebral discs.

Intervertebral discs

Discs between adjacent vertebrae that cushion and allow flexibility.

Slipped disc

Herniation or displacement of an intervertebral disc.

Muscular system

System responsible for moving bones/joints and generating heat.

Tendons

Connect muscle to bone.

Aponeurosis

Broad sheet-like connective tissue that connects muscles to each other or to bone.

Nervous system

Regulates reception, processing, storage, and transport of information; a primary regulator of homeostasis.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions; example: heart rate changes with exercise and returns to normal.

Endocrine system

Works with the nervous system to regulate homeostasis; uses hormones as regulatory chemicals.

Hormones

Regulatory chemicals produced by endocrine glands.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that regulates the pituitary gland and many body processes.

Pituitary gland (hypophysis)

Master endocrine gland that regulates other glands; connected to the hypothalamus.

Pineal gland

Endocrine gland involved in regulating circadian rhythms.

Thyroid gland

Endocrine gland in the neck that regulates metabolism.

Adrenal glands

Glands on top of the kidneys; produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Pancreas

Gland with endocrine and exocrine functions; regulates blood sugar and digestion.

Thymus

Gland that belongs to both the lymphatic and endocrine systems; important in immune development.

Cardiovascular system

Transports blood, oxygen, nutrients, CO2, wastes, water, and heat; includes heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Blood

Connective tissue that carries substances; not an organ.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where exchange with tissues occurs.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Lymphatic system

Transports lymph and helps protect against infection; includes lymph vessels, nodes, tonsils, spleen, thymus.

Lymph nodes

Small organs that filter lymph and immune surveillance sites.

Tonsils

Lymphatic tissue protecting the oropharyngeal region.

Spleen

Lymphatic organ involved in immune response and blood filtration.

Respiratory system

System responsible for gas exchange: takes in oxygen and removes carbon dioxide; includes larynx, pharynx, bronchi, and lungs.

Larynx

Voice box containing vocal cords.

Pharynx

Throat region where air passes to the larynx and esophagus.

Bronchi

Major air passages that lead to the lungs.

Lungs

Organs of respiration where gas exchange occurs.

Digestive system

System that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients; includes mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas.

Mechanical digestion

Physical breakdown of food (e.g., chewing).

Chemical digestion

Chemical breakdown of food by enzymes and acids.

Mouth

Oral cavity where digestion begins; also part of the respiratory tract in notes.

Esophagus

Tube that transports food from mouth to stomach via peristalsis.

Stomach

Digestive organ where mechanical and chemical digestion occur.

Small intestine

Digestive organ where most nutrient absorption occurs.

Large intestine

Absorbs water and forms solid waste.

Liver

Digestive and metabolic organ producing bile; processes nutrients.

Gallbladder

Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine.

Urinary system

Manages fluid balance, eliminates waste, and forms urine.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood to form urine.

Ureters

Tubes that carry urine from kidneys to the bladder.

Urinary bladder

Sac that stores urine before voiding.

Urethra

Duct that conducts urine to the outside of the body.

Path of urine

Kidneys filter blood → urine → ureters → bladder → urethra.

Reproductive system

System enabling offspring and genetic transmission; includes male and female organs.

Fallopian tubes / uterine tubes

Female reproductive tubes through which eggs travel; synonyms used in notes.

Ovaries

Female gonads producing eggs and hormones.

Uterus

Womb where the fetus develops.

Vagina

Female reproductive canal.

Mammary glands

Breast glands that produce milk in females.

Testes

Male gonads producing sperm and hormones.

Epididymis

Duct where sperm mature and are stored.

Vas deferens

Ductus deferens; transports sperm during ejaculation.

Seminal vesicles

Glands that secrete seminal fluid contributing to semen.

Prostate gland

Gland that contributes fluid to semen.

Penis

Male external reproductive organ.

Macroscopic

Visible to the naked eye.

Microscopic

Visible only with magnification.

Blood capillaries

Smallest vessels where exchange with tissues occurs.

Pseudoriferous glands

Sweat glands that produce perspiration.

Epidermis

Outer layer of skin; superficial tissue.

Dermis

Deeper skin layer containing nerves, vessels, and structures.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Superior

Above or higher in position.

Inferior

Below or lower in position.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the sides.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment.

Superficial

Near the surface of the body.

Deep

Farther from the surface.

Path of urine

See above: kidneys → urine → ureters → bladder → urethra.

Iodine indicator

Iodine turns blue/purple in the presence of starch; used as a starch indicator.

Solutions

Homogeneous mixtures where a solute dissolves in a solvent and conducts electricity when dissolved.

Suspensions

Heterogeneous mixtures where solute does not dissolve and may settle over time.