Honors Anatomy and Physiology Review Guide

Flashcards covering key concepts in anatomy and physiology for midterm review.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of an organism.

Physiology

The study of how an organism's body functions.

Standard Anatomical Position

A reference point for describing the body where the body is upright, facing forward, feet slightly apart, and arms at the sides with palms facing forward.

Superior

A directional term meaning toward the head.

Inferior

A directional term meaning toward the feet.

Anterior (ventral)

A directional term meaning toward the front.

Posterior (dorsal)

A directional term meaning toward the back.

Medial

A directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term meaning away from the midline.

Proximal

A directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels.

Homeostasis

The ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

Negative Feedback Loop

Your body fixes a change by doing the opposite of what’s happening so things go back to normal.

Easy example:

·       Body temperature: If you get too hot, you sweat to cool down.
If you get too cold, you shiver to warm up.

(Just like the thermostat example — it turns the heater on/off to keep the temp at the set point.)

Positive Feedback Loop

Your body pushes a change further in the same direction until the process is finished. It doesn’t stop until the job is done.

Easy example:

·       Childbirth: A baby pushes on the cervix → the body releases more oxytocin → contractions get stronger → which pushes the baby more → and the cycle keeps going until birth happens.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that secrete substances through ducts to the outside of the body or into body cavities.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of skin that serves as a protective barrier.

Dermis

The thicker middle layer of skin containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

Hypodermis

The deepest layer of skin, made mostly of fat and connective tissue.

Sebaceous Gland

Gland that produces sebum (oil) to lubricate and protect skin.

Sweat Gland

Gland that produces perspiration to regulate temperature.

Osteoblasts

Cells that build bone by adding minerals to cartilage.

Osteoclasts

Cells that break down bone to release calcium into the bloodstream.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue.

Spongy Bone

Lightweight bone made of a lattice of thin structures called trabeculae.

Compact Bone

Hard, dense bone that makes up the outer layer and provides strength and protection.

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue that cushions joints and supports structures.

Skeletal Muscle

Striated muscle attached to bones, voluntary control.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated muscle found in the heart, involuntary control.

Smooth Muscle

Non-striated muscle found in the walls of hollow organs, involuntary control.

Agonist

The primary muscle responsible for a movement.

Antagonist

The muscle that opposes the action of the agonist.

Synergist

Muscle that assists the agonist in movement.

Fixator

Muscle that stabilizes a bone or joint during movement.

Lactic Acid

A byproduct of anaerobic respiration that accumulates during intense muscle activity.

Acid Mantle

A thin, slightly acidic film on the surface of the skin that protects against bacteria.

Melanocytes

Cells that produce melanin, responsible for skin pigment.

Keratin

A tough, waterproof protein that protects the skin.

Dermal Papillae

Small, finger-like projections in the dermis that connect the dermis to the epidermis.

Both anatomy and physiology..

are about understanding the body and you need both to get the full picture of how the body is organized and how it workds together.

Why is standard anatomical position important

it’s important because it gives doctors and scientists a universal reference point so everyone describes body parts and directions the same way

Frontal (coronal) plane

divides front and back

Transverse plane

divides the body into upper and lower parts, perpendicular to the frontal and sagittal planes.

Sagittal plane

divides the body into left and right parts.

What structure separates the thoracis and abdominal cavities ?

The Diaphragm

The dorsal cavity contains the _________ and ________cavities

cranial cavity & vertebral cavity

The abdominopelvic cavity contains the _________ and ________cavities

Abdominal cavity & Pelvic cavity

The head is considered which body region?

Cephalic

Characteristics of Life

Metabolism—chemical change necessary for life—must have enough energy

Responsiveness—respond to stimuli

Homeostasis—maintain internal stability

Growth & Development—differentiation & continued growth

Ability to reproduce

Made of cells

Pass on traits=heredity

Ability to adapt

Vasodilation vs vasoconstriction

Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels, while vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels. Vasodilation occurs when the body is too hot or during a fever, allowing more blood to flow to the skin so heat can be released and the body can cool down. In contrast, vasoconstriction happens when the body is cold and works by keeping blood deeper in the body to reduce heat loss and maintain warmth. Although they have opposite effects, both processes are involuntary responses controlled by the brain and are part of a negative feedback loop that helps keep body temperature stable.

An example of positive feedback would be blood clotting, the stimulus is

enhanced

With an elevated temp, the homeostatic response would be ______ to the body temperature.

 

LOWER

Which of the types of muscle tissue is found within your digestive system & used to move food

smooth

What provides the energy for the myosin head to move?

ATP