Module 1: Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Module 1 lecture notes covering anatomical terminology, tissue types, life requirements, structural hierarchy, vertebral regions, and medical imaging techniques.

Anatomy

The study of body structure.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Epithelial Tissue

A basic tissue type that covers, lines, and protects body surfaces (e.g., vocal tract lining).

Connective Tissue

A basic tissue type that supports, connects, and protects body structures (e.g., cartilage, bone).

Muscle Tissue

A basic tissue type responsible for movement, categorized into skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle.

Nervous Tissue

A basic tissue type that transmits electrical signals for communication between the brain, spinal cord, and body.

Skeletal Muscle

Muscle tissue responsible for voluntary movement (e.g., tongue, facial muscles).

Smooth Muscle

Muscle tissue responsible for involuntary movement (e.g., esophagus, blood vessels).

Cardiac Muscle

Muscle tissue responsible for heart contraction.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body that provide energy and build or break down molecules to sustain life.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of building complex molecules from simpler ones, using energy.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary immediate energy-carrying molecule used by cells to perform work, such as muscle contraction.

Cellular Respiration

The process cells use to produce ATP from nutrients such as glucose.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a relatively stable internal environment.

Responsiveness (Irritability)

The ability of an organism to detect and respond to internal or external environmental changes.

Growth

An increase in size or number of cells, leading to overall enlargement of an organism or tissue.

Hyperplasia

An increase in cell number.

Hypertrophy

An increase in cell size.

Differentiation

The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function.

Reproduction

The process of producing new cells (cellular level via mitosis) or organisms (organismal level via meiosis).

Anatomical Position

Standard reference position where the body is standing upright, facing forward, palms facing forward, arms at sides, and feet pointing forward.

Superior (Cranial)

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

Inferior (Caudal)

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

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward 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 or toward the side.

Intermediate

Directional term meaning between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.

Superficial (External)

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

Deep (Internal)

Directional term meaning away from the surface; more internal.

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Directional term meaning on the opposite side of the body.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Midsagittal (Median Sagittal) Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra; supports the skull, lacks a body, and allows for the nodding ("yes") motion.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra; contains the odontoid process (dens) and allows for rotation ("no") motion.

Cervical Vertebrae

A set of $7$ vertebrae (C1–C7) located in the neck region, featuring transverse foramina and a lordotic curvature.

Thoracic Vertebrae

A set of $12$ vertebrae (T1–T12) located in the upper/mid-back, featuring facets for rib articulation, long downward-sloping spinous processes, and a kyphotic curvature.

Lumbar Vertebrae

A set of $5$ vertebrae (L1–L5) located in the lower back, featuring the largest, thickest bodies for weight-bearing and a lordotic curvature.

Sacrum

A triangular bone at the base of the spine composed of $5$ fused vertebrae (S1–S5) with a kyphotic curvature.

Coccyx

The small tailbone at the end of the vertebral column, usually composed of $4$ fused vertebrae.

X-ray

A medical imaging technique primarily used to visualize bones.

CT (Computed Tomography)

A medical imaging technique that provides cross-sectional images of body structures.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A medical imaging technique used to visualize soft tissues, the vocal tract, and the brain.

fMRI (Functional MRI)

A medical imaging technique used to measure brain activity in real-time.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

A medical imaging technique used to measure metabolic activity in tissues.

Ultrasound

A safe, real-time medical imaging technique used in speech and swallowing evaluations.