Introduction to Physiology, Anatomy, and Medical Terminology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering basic anatomy, physiology, directional terms, body regions, planes, cavities, homeostasis, and pathology concepts including epidemiology.

Physiology

The study of exactly how body structures function, such as what causes the heart to speed up or slow down.

Anatomy

The study of body structures, ranging in size from microscopic red blood cells to organs like the heart.

Pathophysiology

The study of disorders of functioning.

Pathology

The study of abnormal functioning of the body.

Standard Anatomical Position

A body position where the head, toes, and palms of the hands are facing forward.

Bilateral

Relating to or affecting two sides.

Proximal

Closer to the connection to the body; for example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Distal

Farther from the connection to the body; for example, fingernails are at the distal end of the fingers.

Superficial

Closer to the surface, used for layered structures.

Deep

Farther from the surface, used for layered structures.

Axial region

The part of the body comprising the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular region

The part of the body comprising the arms and legs.

Abdominal

Relating to the belly.

Axillary

Relating to the armpit.

Cephalic or cranial

Relating to the head.

Cervical

Relating to the neck.

Facial

Relating to the face.

Inguinal

Relating to the groin.

Pelvic

Relating to the lower end of the trunk.

Thoracic

Relating to the chest.

Umbilical

Relating to the navel.

Brachial

Relating to the arm.

Carpal

Relating to the wrist.

Cubital

Relating to the elbow.

Femoral

Relating to the thigh.

Palmar

Relating to the palms of the hands.

Patellar

Relating to the knee.

Plantar

Relating to the soles of the feet.

Tarsal

Relating to the ankle.

Sagittal plane

A plane that separates the right from the left; it is called midsagittal if it is exactly down the midline.

Transverse plane

A plane that separates the top from the bottom, commonly called a cross section or horizontal plane.

Frontal or coronal plane

A plane that separates the anterior from the posterior (front from back).

Anatomical Cavities

Pocket-like spaces of various sizes where most of the body's organs are located.

Anatomical Membrane

A thin layer of tissues that covers a surface, lines a cavity or passage, or separates tissue.

Meninges

The lining membranes of the cranial and vertebral cavities.

Serous membrane

Fluid-filled membranes that line the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities and surround the organs.

Mucous Membrane

A type of membrane that lines the body cavities and passages that open to the exterior, producing mucus to keep the surfaces moist.

Cutaneous membrane

The skin, which acts as the body's outer protective layer, consisting of the epidermis and dermis.

Supine position

Anterior facing upward

Synovial membrane

A specialized connective tissue layer that lines the joint cavities, producing synovial fluid to lubricate and nourish the cartilage.

Visceral pleura

The pleural membrane in direct contact with the lung.

Parietal pleura

The pleural membrane not in direct contact with the lung.

Pericardium

The serous membrane surrounding the heart.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear, colorless fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Pleural fluid

The fluid that is found in the pleural cavity, serving to lubricate the surfaces of the pleura, reduce friction during breathing, and assist in lung expansion.

Pericardial fluid

Heart fluid

Prone Position

Anterior facing downward

Peritoneum

A double-layered serous membrane into which many abdominal organs are pushed from the posterior wall.

Greater omentum

A fatty apron lying over the abdominal viscera, extending from the inferior margin of the stomach.

Lesser omentum

A smaller extension reaching from the superior edge of the stomach to the liver.

Homeostasis

A unifying concept in physiology where all structures function together to maintain a steady internal environment.

Negative feedback

The process used by the body to reverse the direction of movement away from homeostasis.

Positive feedback

The process used by the body to increase movement away from homeostasis.

Acute

A term of pathology describing a condition with rapid onset, severe symptoms, and a short duration.

Chronic

A term of pathology describing a condition with slow progression and long duration.

Predisposing factors

Risk factors or activities that play a large role in a person’s overall health status, such as age, gender, lifestyle, and environment.

Age

Lifestyle

Environment

Hereditary

Congenital disorders

Disorders present at birth, also known as birth defects.

Genetic disorders

Mutation in the genetic material chromosomes)

Prenatally

Occurring before birth.

Perinatally

Occurring during birth.

Postnatally

Occurring after birth.

Objective signals (Signs)

Measureable indicators of disease, such as a body temperature above $98.6^{\circ}F$ ($37^{\circ}C$).

Subjective signals (Symptoms)

Signals verbalized by the patient that cannot be measured, such as dizziness or pain.

Pain

A subjective symptom indicating physical suffering or distress that serves as a defense mechanism to warn of a problem.

Inflammation

The body's normal immune response to injury and disease.

Infectious diseases

Diseases caused by pathogens, which are disease-causing agents.

Communicable diseases

Infectious diseases that are contagious and spread from person to person.

Diagnosis

The process of determining the nature and circumstances of a diseased condition through examination and history.

Prognosis

The predicted outcome for a patient.

Palliative treatment

Treatment focused on making a patient more comfortable and improving quality of life at any stage of a disease.

Curative treatment

A treatment regimen designed to cure the patient of the disease.

Therapeutic treatment

A long-term care plan designed to restore a patient's normal body function.

Preventive treatment

Steps taken to prevent disease from happening.

Epidemiology

The branch of medical science dealing with the scope, distribution, and control of disease in a population.

Incidence

Data tracking the number of new cases of a disease in a population.

Prevalence

Data tracking the total number of cases of a disease in a population.

Epidemic

A widespread occurrence of a disease in a community at a particular time.

Pandemic

An epidemic occurring over broader regions such as a continent or the world.