Module 1: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on levels of organization, homeostasis, tissues, organs, organ systems, directional and sectional terms, planes, anatomical position, body regions, and basic word roots.

What are the six levels of structural organization in the human body?

Chemical (atoms and molecules), cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism.

Define homeostasis.

Presence of a stable internal environment; regulation of internal conditions.

What are the components of a homeostatic mechanism?

Receptor (sensor), control center (integration center), set point, and effector.

What is negative feedback?

Effector opposes the original stimulus to minimize change and maintain a stable condition.

What is positive feedback?

Initial stimulus exaggerates the change to complete a process quickly (e.g., blood clotting).

What are the four primary tissue types?

Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Neural.

Epithelial tissue functions.

Forms a barrier; lines surfaces, tracts and cavities; produces glandular secretions.

Connective tissue characteristics.

Cells surrounded by extracellular matrix; matrix made of protein fibers and ground substance; fills spaces, provides support, stores energy.

Muscle tissue types and functions.

Skeletal (moves skeleton), Cardiac (propels blood), Smooth (moves substances and maintains vessel tone).

Neural tissue components.

Neurons (nerve cells) and neuroglia; located in CNS and PNS; conducts electrical impulses and processes information.

Organ.

Functional unit composed of more than one tissue type; determines function; example: heart.

Organ system.

Group of organs interacting to perform a range of functions; there are eleven organ systems in the human body.

Name all eleven organ systems.

Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive.

Chemical level in the structural organization.

Atoms combine to form molecules; chemical level includes atoms and molecules.

Heart wall layers.

Endocardium (inner lining), Myocardium (muscle), Epicardium (outer surface).

Gross (macroscopic) vs Microscopic anatomy.

Gross examines large structures visible to the naked eye; Microscopic requires magnification.

Anatomy vs Physiology.

Anatomy = study of form; Physiology = study of function.

Anatomical position.

Standing erect, facing forward, feet together, arms at sides with palms forward; supine = lying on back; prone = lying face down.

Directional terms: anterior vs posterior.

Anterior = front; Posterior = back.

Directional terms: superior vs inferior.

Superior = toward the head; Inferior = away from the head.

Proximal vs Distal.

Proximal = nearer to the point of attachment; Distal = farther from the attachment.

Medial vs Lateral.

Medial = toward the midline; Lateral = away from the midline.

Frontal (coronal) plane.

Divides anterior and posterior; frontal plane; often used to describe sections through the body.

Sagittal plane.

Divides body into right and left portions; midsagittal divides equally; parasagittal divides unequally.

Transverse (horizontal) plane.

Divides superior and inferior portions; cross section.

Midsagittal vs Parasagittal.

Midsagittal (median) divides body into equal right and left halves; Parasagittal divides into unequal right and left portions.

Cephalic region.

Head region.

Cervical region.

Neck region.

Thoracic region.

Chest region.

Abdominal region.

Abdomen region.

Lumbar region.

Loin region.

Inguinal region.

Groin region.

Carpal region.

Wrist region.

Umbilical region.

Navel region.

Pelvic region.

Pelvis region.

Abdominopelvic quadrants.

Four quadrants: Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ).

Nine abdominopelvic regions.

Epigastric, Umbilical, Hypogastric; Right/Left Hypochondriac; Right/Left Lumbar; Right/Left Inguinal.

Anatomical position vs Supine vs Prone.

Anatomical position = standard upright stance; Supine = lying on back; Prone = lying face down.

Word root: cardio- / cardi- meaning.

Heart.

Word root: derm- / derma- meaning.

Skin.

Word root: neur- / neuro- meaning.

Nerve.

Word root: oste- / ost- meaning.

Bone.

Word root: pulmo- meaning.

Lung.

Word root: vas- meaning.

Vessel.

Histology.

Study of tissues.

Cell size unit.

Micrometer (µm); one millionth of a meter.

How many cell types are estimated in the human body?

About 200 different cell types (out of trillions of cells).

Reproductive cells (gametes).

Oocytes (egg) and sperm; sex cells.

Nerve cells (neurons) function.

Process information and communicate via electrical impulses.