Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

Vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 1 (An Introduction to the Human Body), covering branches of anatomy and physiology, structural levels, eleven body systems, homeostatic feedback loops, anatomical terminology, body planes, cavities, serous membranes, abdominopelvic subdivisions, and medical imaging techniques.

Developmental biology

The study of the growth and development of an individual from fertilization to death.

Embryology

The study of the first eight weeks of growth and development after fertilization of a human egg, representing the earliest stage of developmental biology.

Cell biology

The study of cellular structure and functions.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Gross anatomy

The study of anatomical structures that can be examined without a microscope.

Systemic anatomy

The study of the structure of specific systems of the body, such as the nervous or respiratory systems.

Regional anatomy

The study of specific regions of the body, such as the head or chest.

Surface anatomy

The study of surface markings of the body to understand internal anatomy through visualization and gentle touch (palpation).

Imaging anatomy

The study of internal body structures that can be visualized using techniques such as X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and other technologies.

Clinical anatomy

The application of anatomy to the practice of medicine, dentistry, and other health-related sciences to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Pathological anatomy

The study of structural changes (gross to microscopic) associated with disease.

Molecular physiology

The study of the functions of individual molecules such as proteins and DNA.

Neurophysiology

The study of the functional properties of nerve cells.

Endocrinology

The study of hormones (chemical regulators in the blood) and how they control body functions.

Cardiovascular physiology

The study of the functions of the heart and blood vessels.

Immunology

The study of the body's defenses against disease-causing agents.

Respiratory physiology

The study of the functions of the air passageways and lungs.

Renal physiology

The study of the functions of the kidneys.

Exercise physiology

The study of changes in cell and organ functions due to muscular activity.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes associated with disease and aging.

Chemical level

The structural level of organization consisting of atoms (such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus) and molecules (such as DNA).

Cellular level

The structural level of organization where molecules combine to form cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of an organism.

Tissue level

The structural level of organization consisting of groups of cells and the materials surrounding them working together to perform a particular function.

Organ level

The structural level composed of two or more different types of tissues that have specific functions and recognizable shapes.

System level

The structural level consisting of related organs with a common function.

Organismal level

The highest structural level of organization representing any living individual, in which all parts of the body function together.

Integumentary system

Body system composed of skin, hair, fingernails, toenails, sweat glands, and oil glands; functions to protect the body, regulate temperature, and detect sensations.

Skeletal system

Body system composed of bones, joints, and associated cartilages; functions to support and protect the body, aid body movements, and house blood-cell-producing cells.

Muscular system

Body system composed specifically of skeletal muscle tissue; functions to participate in body movements, maintain posture, and produce heat.

Nervous system

Body system composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and special sense organs; functions to generate action potentials to regulate body activities and detect environmental changes.

Endocrine system

Body system composed of hormone-producing glands and cells; functions to regulate body activities by releasing chemical messengers into the bloodstream.

Cardiovascular system

Body system composed of blood, heart, and blood vessels; functions to pump and carry oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and wastes throughout the body.

Lymphatic system

Body system composed of lymphatic fluid, vessels, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and tonsils; functions to return proteins and fluid to blood and carry out immune responses.

Respiratory system

Body system composed of the lungs and air passageways; functions to transfer oxygen from inhaled air to blood and carbon dioxide from blood to exhaled air.

Digestive system

Body system composed of the gastrointestinal tract organs and accessory organs; functions to achieve physical and chemical breakdown of food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate solid wastes.

Urinary system

Body system composed of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; functions to produce, store, and eliminate urine and regulate blood volume and chemical composition.

Reproductive system

Body system composed of gonads and associated organs; functions to produce gametes that unite to form a new organism and release hormones that regulate reproduction.

Homeostasis

A condition of equilibrium, or balance, in the body's internal environment maintained by regulatory processes.

Extracellular fluid

The fluid surrounding body cells whose precise chemical regulation is essential for cell survival.

Receptor

A body structure that monitors changes in a controlled condition and sends input (nerve impulses or chemical signals) to a control center.

Control center

A component of a feedback loop (such as the brain) that evaluates input received from receptors and generates output signals.

Effector

A body structure that receives output from the control center and produces a response that alters the controlled condition.

Negative feedback system

A homeostatic regulatory system that reverses a change in a controlled condition to return it to normal.

Positive feedback system

A homeostatic regulatory system that strengthens or reinforces a change in one of the body's controlled conditions.

Anatomical position

A standardized stance where the subject stands erect facing the observer, with upper extremities at the sides, palms turned forward, and feet flat on the floor.

Prone

An anatomical description referring to a body lying face down.

Supine

An anatomical description referring to a body lying face up.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head, or the upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head, or the lower part of a structure.

Anterior

Directional term meaning nearer to or at the front of the body.

Posterior

Directional term meaning nearer to or at the back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning nearer to the midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning farther from the midline.

Intermediate

Directional term meaning between two structures.

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning on the same side of the body as another structure.

Contralateral

Directional term meaning on the opposite side of the body from another structure.

Proximal

Directional term meaning nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk or nearer to the origination of a structure.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk or farther from the origination of a structure.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface of the body.

Anatomical planes

Imaginary flat surfaces used to divide the body or organ into specific sections, including coronal, transverse, median, paramedian, and oblique planes.

Midsagittal plane

A vertical plane passing through the midline that divides the body or an organ into equal right and left sides.

Parasagittal plane

A vertical plane that does not pass through the midline, dividing the body or an organ into unequal right and left sides.

Frontal plane

A plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions; also called a coronal plane.

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body or an organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions; also called a cross-sectional plane.

Oblique plane

A plane that passes through the body or an organ at an angle between a transverse plane and a sagittal or frontal plane.

Body cavities

Spaces within the body that help protect, separate, and support internal organs, divided into cranial, vertebral, thoracic, and abdominopelvic cavities.

Serous membrane

A thin, double-layered membrane lining body cavities that do not open directly to the exterior and covering the organs within them.

Visceral layer

The delicate inner layer of a serous membrane that covers and adheres directly to an internal organ.

Parietal layer

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

Viscera

The soft internal organs located within the major cavities of the trunk, specifically thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Retroperitoneal

Descriptive classification for organs located posterior to the peritoneum rather than surrounded by it, such as the kidneys and ascending colon.

Abdominopelvic regions

The nine sub-divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity delineated by two vertical midclavicular planes, a horizontal subcostal plane, and a horizontal transtubercular plane.

Abdominopelvic quadrants

The four sub-divisions (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) of the abdominopelvic cavity formed by a vertical median plane and horizontal transumbilical plane intersecting at the umbilicus.

Radiography

A medical imaging technique that uses a single barrage of X-rays to produce a two-dimensional image.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A medical imaging technique using a high-energy magnetic field and radio waves to generate 2D or 3D color-coded images showing cellular chemistry.

Computed Tomography

A medical imaging technique using an X-ray beam rotated around a body section to produce detailed three-dimensional views of soft tissues and organs.

Ultrasound scanning

A noninvasive medical imaging procedure using high-frequency sound waves emitted by a handheld wand to reflect off tissues and create still or moving images.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

A specialized 3D cardiac CT scan utilizing contrast medium and beta-blockers to visualize coronary blood vessels in under 20 seconds.

Positron Emission Tomography

A functional medical imaging technique using positron-emitting substances to generate gamma rays that measure body tissue physiology and metabolism.

Endoscopy

A medical procedure involving the visual examination of internal body organs using a lighted instrument equipped with lenses.

Radionuclide scanning

A nuclear medical imaging technique where an intravenously injected radionuclide emits gamma rays, creating color-coded intensity maps of tissue activity.