HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - UNIT 1: THE HUMAN ORGANISM

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms from Unit 1 notes.

Anatomy

The study of the form of living things; the study of shapes, sizes, and characteristics of body parts.

Physiology

The study of function; explains how and why the body and its parts work.

Gross anatomy

Study of structures visible to the naked eye.

Microanatomy

Study of structures seen only with a microscope.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Cytology

Study of individual cells.

Histopathology

Study of diseased tissues.

Regional anatomy

Study of all structures in a specific region of the body (e.g., thorax, abdomen, pelvis).

Systemic anatomy

Gross anatomy of each organ system studied individually.

Surface anatomy

Study of internal structures as they relate to surface features.

McBurney’s point

A surface landmark used to locate the appendix.

Reductionism

Breaking down complex structures into parts to understand them.

Organelle

Specialized structure within a cell.

Cell

Basic unit of life.

Tissue

Group of similar cells performing a common function.

Organ

Two or more tissues combined to form a structure.

Organ system

Group of organs that work together to perform a common function.

Organism

A living being, such as a human.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter; forms molecules.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Levels of organization

From atoms and molecules up to organ systems and organisms.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical reactions in the body; converts food to energy and supports life.

Anabolism

Building up; simple molecules combined into complex ones.

Catabolism

Breaking down; complex molecules into simpler ones; releases energy.

Homeostasis

Body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

Negative feedback loop

Sensor detects a value, control center compares to set point, effector corrects to normalize.

Sensor (receptor)

Monitors physiological value; part of a feedback loop.

Control center

Receives input and coordinates a response (often the brain).

Effector

Organ or gland that produces the response to restore balance.

Afferent pathway

Nerve pathway carrying information to the control center.

Efferent pathway

Nerve pathway carrying commands from the control center to effectors.

Blood pressure

A variable maintained at a set point by feedback; measured by receptors in major vessels.

Set point

The desired value for a physiological variable.

Positive feedback loop

Enhances a change until a definite end point (e.g., childbirth).

Anatomical position

Standard posture: body erect, head forward, palms forward, arms at sides, thumbs away.

Supine

Lying on the back (face up).

Prone

Lying on the abdomen (face down).

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Away from the head; toward the lower part.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the side.

Proximal

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

Distal

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

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into right and left parts.

Median (midsagittal)

Sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Cross section

A slice along a plane to view internal structures.

Dorsal body cavity

Posterior body cavity containing the cranial and vertebral (spinal) cavities.

Ventral body cavity

Anterior body cavity containing the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Cranial cavity

Cavity within the skull that houses the brain.

Vertebral (spinal) cavity

Cavity within the vertebral column housing the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity superior to the diaphragm containing the pleural cavities and mediastinum.

Pleural cavities

Two cavities each housing a lung.

Mediastinum

Space between the lungs; contains the heart and other organs.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Ventral cavity inferior to the diaphragm; contains abdominal and pelvic regions.

Umbilical region

Deep to and surrounding the navel.

Epigastric region

Superior to the umbilical region.

Hypogastric (pubic) region

Inferior to the umbilical region.

RUQ

Right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

LUQ

Left upper quadrant of the abdomen.

RLQ

Right lower quadrant of the abdomen.

LLQ

Left lower quadrant of the abdomen.

X-ray

Imaging using X-rays; good for dense structures like bone; soft tissue appears gray.

CT (Computed Tomography)

Imaging by sections; 360-degree X-ray slices compiled into 2D slices for detail.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging; no ionizing radiation; excellent for soft tissues.

PET

Positron emission tomography; shows metabolic or physiological activity.

Ultrasound

Imaging using sound waves; noninvasive and real-time; operator dependent.