An Introduction to the Human Body

Vocabulary flashcards covering core anatomical and physiological terms, subdisciplines, feedback loops, body positions, membranes, clinical procedures, and anatomical divisions based on Chapter 1.

Anatomy

The study of body structures.

Physiology

The study of how body parts function.

Embryology

The study of the first eight weeks of growth and development after fertilization of a human egg.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Surface Anatomy

The study of surface markings of the body to understand internal anatomy through visualization and palpation.

Pathological Anatomy

The study of structural changes (gross to microscopic) associated with disease.

Endocrinology

The study of hormones (chemical regulators in the blood) and how they control body functions.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes associated with disease and aging.

Homeostasis

A condition of equilibrium, or balance, in the body's internal environment.

Extracellular Fluid

The fluid surrounding body cells whose chemical composition must be precisely regulated for cell survival.

Receptor

A body structure that monitors changes in a controlled condition and sends input (nerve impulses or chemical signals) to a control center.

Control Center

A body structure (such as the brain) that evaluates input received from receptors and provides nerve impulses or chemical signals to effectors.

Effector

A body structure that receives output from the control center and brings about a response that alters the controlled condition.

Negative Feedback System

A control system that reverses a change in a controlled condition to restore homeostasis.

Positive Feedback System

A control system that strengthens or reinforces a change in a controlled condition until broken by an external event.

Anatomical Position

A standardized position where the subject stands erect, facing the observer, with upper extremities at the sides, palms turned forward, and feet flat on the floor.

Prone

Describing a body position lying face down.

Supine

Describing a body position lying face up.

Serous Membrane

A thin, double-layered membrane that covers viscera within the thoracic and abdominal cavities and lines the walls of the thorax and abdomen.

Visceral Layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane that directly covers the viscera within body cavities.

Parietal Layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the walls of body cavities.

Retroperitoneal

Describing organs that are not surrounded by the peritoneum, but lie posterior to it.

Palpation

A clinical examination technique in which the examiner gently touches body surfaces with hands.

Auscultation

Listening to body sounds, typically using a stethoscope.

Percussion

Tapping on a body surface with fingertips and listening to the resulting echoes.

Autopsy

A postmortem examination of the body and dissection of internal organs to determine or confirm the cause of death.

Ultrasound Scanning

A noninvasive imaging method using high-frequency sound waves reflected off body tissues to produce a sonogram.

Endoscopy

The visual examination of the interior of body organs or cavities using a lighted instrument with lenses called an endoscope.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Four major divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) formed by perpendicular planes intersecting at the umbilicus.

Abdominopelvic Regions

Nine anatomical regions partitioned by two vertical and two horizontal lines used to locate specific abdominal organs.