BIOL 2310: Anatomic Language, Organ Systems, and Homeostasis

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational concepts in anatomy, physiology, organ system components, homeostasis control mechanisms, directional and regional terminology, anatomic planes, body cavities, and serous membranes.

Anatomy

The study of the form, or structure, of the body.

Physiology

The study of how the body functions, serving as the basis of understanding pathologies and diseases.

Chemical Level

The structural level of organization comprising atoms (such as C, H, O, N, P) and molecules (such as DNA).

Integumentary System

An organ system whose main components include the skin, hair, nails, and glands.

Skeletal System

An organ system whose main components include bones and joints.

Muscular System

An organ system whose main components consist of skeletal muscles.

Nervous System

An organ system whose main components include the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and special sense organs (such as the eyes).

Endocrine System

An organ system composed of hormone-producing glands.

Cardiovascular System

An organ system whose main components include the heart, blood, and vessels.

Lymphatic System

An organ system whose main components include lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus.

Respiratory System

An organ system whose main components include the nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Digestive System

An organ system whose main components include the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, and pancreas.

Urinary System

An organ system whose main components include the kidneys and bladder.

Reproductive System

An organ system whose main components include the ovaries and uterus in females, and testicles and penis in males.

Homeostasis

The balance or equilibrium maintained within the body's internal environment.

Physiologic Set Point

The normal range or baseline value that physiologic systems work to maintain within a narrow range.

Negative Feedback Control

The primary homeostatic control mechanism in the body that counteracts a change away from the set point, driving the value back to normal in the opposite direction of the initial change.

Positive Feedback Control

A rarely used control mechanism that reinforces a change from the set point, producing more change in the same direction until a specific endpoint is reached.

Anatomic Position

The standard reference position where the body is standing upright, head facing forward, arms at sides, palms turned forward, and feet flat on the floor.

Axial Region

The main body region comprising the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Region

The main body region comprising the limbs (extremities), including the arms, legs, and the structures attaching them to the trunk.

Superior

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

Inferior

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

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning near or at the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning near or at the back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term used for extremities meaning nearer to the origination of a structure.

Distal

Directional term used for extremities meaning farther from the origination of a structure.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface of the body.

Superficial

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

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning located on the same side as another structure.

Contralateral

Directional term meaning located on the opposite side of another structure.

Sagittal Plane

An imaginary flat surface dividing the body into right and left sides.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

An imaginary flat surface dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

An imaginary flat surface, also called a cross section, dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

Oblique Plane

An imaginary flat surface passing through the body at an angle that is not perpendicular to a frontal plane.

Parietal Layer

The outer, most superficial layer of a serous membrane that attaches to the inside wall of a body cavity.

Visceral Layer

The innermost, deepest layer of a serous membrane that directly covers an internal organ.

Pleura

The specific serous membrane that lines the pleural cavity and covers the lungs.

Pericardium

The specific serous membrane that lines the pericardial cavity and covers the heart.

Peritoneum

The specific serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity, and organs contained within.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Four divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity created by two perpendicular planes (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ).

Abdominopelvic Regions

Nine divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity created by four planes.