Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the origins of medical science, levels of organization, homeostatic mechanisms, organ systems, and anatomical terminology based on the Chapter 01 lecture outline.

Anatomy

The study of the structure/morphology of the human body and its parts; derived from Greek for "a cutting up".

Physiology

The study of the functions of the human body and its parts; derived from Greek for "relationship to nature".

Vesalius

Historical figure associated with a famous anatomical illustration from the year $1543$.

Subatomic Particles

Components such as $protons$, $neutrons$, and $electrons$ that make up atoms.

Atom

Tiny particles that make up chemicals, such as $hydrogen$ or $carbon$.

Molecule

Particles consisting of atoms joined together, such as $water$ or $glucose$.

Macromolecule

Large particles consisting of molecules, such as $DNA$ or $protein$.

Organelle

A functional part of a cell, such as a $mitochondrion$ or $lysosome$.

Cell

The basic unit of structure and functions in living things.

Tissue

A layer or mass of cells with a specific function, such as $adipose$ $tissue$.

Organ

A group of different tissues with a specific function, such as the $heart$, $kidney$, or $stomach$.

Organ System

A group of organs with a common function, such as the digestive system.

Organism

A living being composed of interacting organ systems, such as a human.

Ultrasound

A noninvasive procedure using high-frequency sound waves to provide images of soft internal structures, such as a sonogram of a fetus.

Magnetic Resonance Scan (MR)

An imaging technique where a magnetic field changes the alignment and spin of certain atoms to provide high-resolution images of internal structures.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in a living system, involving energy production and nutrient cycling.

Receptor

A part of a homeostatic mechanism that detects and provides information about stimuli.

Control Center

The decision-maker in a homeostatic mechanism that maintains the set point.

Effector

A muscle or gland that responds to the control center to cause change in the internal environment.

Negative Feedback

The most common homeostatic mechanism where the response moves the variable in the opposite direction of the deviation from the set point, such as regulating blood pressure or a body temperature of $37\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ ($98.6\,^{\circ}\text{F}$).

Positive Feedback

An uncommon mechanism where a change is intensified rather than reversed, such as in blood clotting or uterine contractions during childbirth.

Axial portion

The main portion of the body consisting of the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular portion

The main portion of the body consisting of the upper and lower limbs.

Diaphragm

The muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Mediastinum

The region between the lungs in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, and thymus gland.

Serous Fluid

A slippery fluid secreted by double-layered membranes to prevent friction between layers.

Visceral layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane that covers an organ.

Parietal layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the wall of a cavity.

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing forward, with upper limbs at the sides and palms facing forward.

Superior

A term of relative position meaning a part is above another part.

Inferior

A term of relative position meaning a part is below another part.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk.

Superficial

Close to the body surface.

Deep

More internal within the body.

Sagittal section

A longitudinal cut that divides the body into left and right portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) section

A cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Coronal (Frontal) section

A longitudinal cut that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.