Anatomy and Physiology Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, renal, and integumentary anatomy, physiology, and pathology based on the provided lecture notes.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity located between the two lungs, extending from the sternum to the vertebral column.

Epicardium

The outer layer of the heart wall, which also serves as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Double Pump

The heart's functional organization into the pulmonary circulation (right side to lungs) and systemic circulation (left side to the rest of the body).

Fibrous Skeleton of the Heart

A structural framework that keeps valve orifices patent, attaches valve leaflets and myocardium, and electrically insulates the atria from the ventricles.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle where the ventricles are relaxing and filling with blood.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle where the ventricles are contracting and emptying blood.

Chronotropy

The alteration of the heart rate; positive agents increase it (adrenaline), while negative agents decrease it (acetylcholine).

Anastomoses

Alternative pathways for blood flow in the heart provided by terminal arteries that communicate to equalize pressure and serve as a safety net during occlusions.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The primary pacemaker of the heart located in the upper right atrium that generates rhythmic action potentials.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average driving pressure throughout the cardiac cycle, calculated by the formula: $\text{MAP} \approx \text{diastolic pressure} + \frac{\text{systolic pressure} - \text{diastolic pressure}}{3}$

Tunica Media

The middle layer of a blood vessel wall consisting of smooth muscle layers interlaced with collagen and elastin fibers.

Fenestrated Capillaries

Exchange vessels characterized by small pores between endothelial cells and a complete basal lamina, allowing for the exchange of large molecules.

Pericytes

Cells present in some capillaries and post-capillary venules that regulate blood flow, angiogenesis, and the blood-brain barrier.

Atherosclerosis

A chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries under pressure where the arterial wall thickens and hardens due to the buildup of fatty plaques.

Hyaline Arteriolosclerosis

A vascular lesion of arterioles involving the deposition of homogenous, glassy pink plasma proteins in the vessel wall, typically due to benign hypertension or diabetes.

Angina Pectoris

Chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Conduction Zone

The parts of the respiratory system, including the nasal cavity and trachea, that filter, warm, and move air to the site of gas exchange without participating in gas exchange themselves.

Type 2 Pneumocyte

A cuboidal epithelial cell in the alveoli that secretes surfactant to reduce surface tension and keep the alveoli open.

Boyle's Law

The physical principle stating that pressure is inversely proportional to volume in a closed system, which governs pulmonary ventilation.

Tidal Volume

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled with each breath under resting conditions.

Compliance

The measure of the lung's distensibility or stretchability, defined as the change in volume divided by the change in pressure.

Obstructive Lung Disease

A category of respiratory disorders, such as asthma and COPD, characterized by increased airway resistance and reduced airflow during expiration.

Pneumonia

An infection of the alveoli and distal airways that results in fluid buildup and impaired gas exchange.

Peptide Hormones

Hydrophilic, water-soluble hormones that are stored in secretory vesicles and bind to cell surface receptors to activate intracellular signaling.

Steroid Hormones

Hydrophobic, lipid-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol that bind to intracellular receptors and directly influence DNA transcription.

H-P-Adrenal Axis

The integrated system of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands that regulates the secretion of corticosteroids like cortisol.

Addison's Disease

A primary adrenal insufficiency characterized by decreased cortisol and aldosterone, often leading to low blood pressure and skin hyperpigmentation.

Cushing's Syndrome

A condition caused by excessive glucocorticoids (cortisol), resulting in central obesity, hypertension, and a characteristic "buffalo hump."

Graves' Disease

An autoimmune disorder and a common cause of hyperthyroidism where autoantibodies stimulate the TSH receptor, leading to an overproduction of thyroid hormones.

Albuminuria

The presence of the protein albumin in the urine, which serves as a clinical indicator of kidney damage.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

A calculation used to assess overall kidney function based on serum creatinine levels.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

A specialized structure in the nephron that regulates blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate via the release of renin.

Stratum Basale

The deepest layer of the epidermis, containing stem cells, melanocytes, and Merkel cells.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

A chronic, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pruritus and a skin barrier defect often linked to mutations in the protein filaggrin.

Tinea

A highly infectious fungal infection of the keratinized tissues (skin, hair, and nails) caused by dermatophytes.

Psoriasis

A non-infectious, T-cell mediated autoimmune skin disorder characterized by well-demarcated pink plaques with silver-white scales due to excessive keratinocyte proliferation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

The most common type of skin cancer, arising from the basal layer of the epidermis, which is slow-growing and rarely metastasizes.

Melanoma

A malignant neoplasm arising from melanocytes, characterized by pigmentation and potential for rapid metastasis.