Introduction to Human Anatomy, Physiology & Pathophysiology

50 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the introductory human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology lecture.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts and the relationships among them.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work or function.

Gross Anatomy

The study of large body structures visible to the naked eye.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of body structures too small to be seen without magnification.

Chemical Level

The lowest level of organization where atoms combine to form molecules.

Cellular Level

Level of organization in which cells are formed from molecules.

Tissue Level

Level where groups of similar cells work together to perform a common function.

Organ Level

Level where two or more tissue types combine to form a discrete structure with a specific job.

Organ System Level

Level where different organs work closely together to accomplish a common purpose.

Organismal Level

The highest level; the complete human being made up of many organ systems.

Integumentary System

External body covering that waterproofs, cushions, makes vitamin D, excretes salts, and houses sensory receptors.

Skeletal System

Bones, cartilages, and joints that provide a framework for movement and store minerals.

Muscular System

Body system whose muscles contract to produce movement and maintain posture.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system consisting of brain, spinal cord, nerves, and receptors that respond to stimuli.

Endocrine System

Slow-acting control system that releases hormones into the blood to regulate distant organs.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels that transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and remove wastes.

Lymphatic System

Lymph vessels, nodes, spleen, tonsils; cleanses blood and houses immune cells.

Respiratory System

Nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs; supplies O₂ and removes CO₂.

Digestive System

Continuous tube from mouth to anus that breaks down food and delivers nutrients to blood.

Urinary System

Removes nitrogenous wastes in urine and maintains water–salt balance and blood pressure.

Reproductive System

Produces gametes and sex hormones and provides sites for fertilization and fetal development.

Movement

Life function involving activities promoted by the muscular system for locomotion.

Responsiveness/Irritability

Ability to sense environmental changes and react to them.

Digestion

Process of breaking down ingested food into simple molecules for absorption into blood.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions that occur within the body’s cells.

Excretion

Process of removing wastes (excreta) from the body.

Reproduction

Production of offspring at the cellular or organismal level.

Growth

Increase in cell size or overall body size.

Nutrients

Substances the body needs for energy and cell building; a survival requirement.

Oxygen

Element required for oxidative chemical reactions that release energy from foods.

Water

Most abundant body substance; provides fluid base for body secretions and excretions.

Appropriate Temperature

Core body heat level (about 37 °C) needed for metabolic reactions to proceed.

Atmospheric Pressure

Force exerted by air on the body necessary for proper breathing and gas exchange.

Homeostasis

The body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Receptor

Sensor that monitors the environment and detects stimuli.

Control Center

Determines the set point, analyzes input, and decides the appropriate response.

Effector

Provides the means for the control center’s response to a stimulus.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

Response that shuts off or reduces the intensity of the original stimulus.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

Response that enhances or amplifies the original stimulus, pushing the variable farther from its set point.

Anatomical Position

Standard body position: upright, feet parallel, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure; above.

Inferior

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure; below.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; inner side.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; outer side.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of a body part or point of limb attachment.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or point of limb attachment.

Superficial (External)

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep (Internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal.