Comprehensive Human Anatomy and Physiology: Structural Organization, Body Regions, and Imaging Techniques

Gross anatomy

the study of larger body structures without magnification

Microscopic anatomy

study of microscopic body structures

Regional anatomy

study of the relationships of all structures in a specific area

Systematic anatomy

study of structures that make up a discrete system

Physiology

study of chemistry/physics of body structures and how they work together to perform bodily functions

Organization

maintains distinct compartments, acts as a barrier

Metabolism

consume energy from food and convert it into fuel for structure, movement, and function

Anabolism

combines small molecules into larger ones

Catabolism

complex substances broken down for energy

Responsiveness

ability to adjust to environmental changes

Movement

actions of organs and body overall

Development

changes to the body throughout life

Growth

increase in body size

Reproduction

formation of a new organism

Oxygen

key component of chemical reactions

Nutrients

food/substances essential for survival

Water

chemicals dissolved, chemical reactions, cell component

Energy-yielding

provides energy for bodily functions

Micronutrients

vitamins and minerals essential for survival

Homeostasis

physiological value around which normal range fluctuates

Negative Feedback

mechanism that prevents a response from going beyond the normal range by reversing the action

Positive Feedback

intensifies a change in body's condition

Prone

facedown position

Supine

faceup position

Anterior/ventral

front of the body

Superior/cranial

position above another part of the body

Inferior/caudal

position below another part of the body

Lateral

towards the outer body

Medial

towards the middle of the body

Proximal

near point of attachment or trunk

Distal

far from point of attachment or trunk

Superficial

closer to surface

Deep

farther from surface

Plane

imaginary 2-D surface passing through the body

Sagittal

divides body into right and left sides

Frontal

divides body into front and back

Transverse

divides body into top and bottom

Dorsal cavity

contains cranial cavity (brain) and spinal cavity (spinal cord)

Ventral cavity

contains thoracic (lungs, heart, ribs, diaphragm) and abdominopelvic (digestive and reproductive organs) cavities

Serous membrane

thin membranes that cover walls and organs, reducing friction by secreting fluid

X-ray

high energy EMR with a short wavelength that can penetrate solids and ionize gases, darkening a metallic plate

Computed tomography

computers analyze several cross-sectional X-rays at once

Magnetic resonance imaging

matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves emit radio signals

fMRI

detects concentration of blood flow in the body

Position emission tomography

using substances that emit radiation allows physiologic activity to be visualized

Ultrasonography

transmission of high frequency sound waves into the body to generate an echo signal converted by computers into imaging

Anatomy

The study of body structure.

Surface Anatomy

Study of the form & markings of the body surface.

Gross (Macroscopic) Anatomy

Study of structures that can be examined without the use of a microscope.

Systemic Anatomy

Study of a specific system of the body such as the digestive system.

Radiographic Anatomy

Study of the body that includes the use of x-rays.

Developmental Anatomy

Study of development from the fertilized egg to adult form.

Embryology

Study of development from the fertilized egg through the eighth week in utero.

Histology

Microscopic study of tissues.

Cytology

Microscopic study of cells.

Pathological Anatomy

Study of structural change associated with disease.

Atom

Smallest unit of matter; composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Molecule

Combination of 2 or more atoms (same or different) bonded together.

Compound

Combination of 2 or more molecules bonded together.

Organelle

Tiny structures within cells which carry out specialized cell functions.

Cell

Smallest living unit of structure and function of body.

Tissue

A group of similar cells plus their intercellular material (matrix) which carry out a particular function.

Organ

Structure composed of two or more different tissues carrying out a specific function.

Organ System

Related organs that work together to carry out a particular function.

Cardiovascular system

An example of an organ system.

Organism

what all the organ systems working together compose

Anatomical Position

standing erect (feet are near each other), face forward, arms at sides, palms forward

Superior (cephalic or cranial)

toward head or upper part of a structure

Inferior (caudal)

towards feet or lower part of a structure

Anterior (ventral)

towards front

Posterior (dorsal)

towards back

Ipsilateral

on same side of body as another structure

Contralateral

on opposite side of body from another structure

Intermediate

between two structures

Central

situated at the center of the body or an organ

Peripheral

situated away from the center of the body or an organ; can also mean near surface (eg. peripheral blood vessels or nerves)

Sagittal Plane

vertical plane (lengthwise cut); divides body into right and left sides or sagittal sections

Midsagittal Section

if equal right and left halves

Parasagittal Section

if unequal right and left halves

Frontal (coronal) Plane

vertical plane; divides body into anterior and posterior portions; produces frontal sections

Transverse Plane

horizontal plane (parallel cut to the floor) occurring anywhere along length of body; divides body into superior and inferior portions; produces cross sections

Oblique Plane

Cut made along a plane intermediate between a vertical and horizontal plane; produces oblique sections.

Bilateral Symmetry

Exterior left and right sides are mirror images.

Cranial Cavity

Located within the skull; contains the brain.

Vertebral Canal

Located within the vertebral column; contains the spinal cord.

Meninges

Three membranes composed only of connective tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

The outer membrane of the meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

The middle membrane of the meninges.

Pia Mater

The inner membrane of the meninges.

Meningitis

Inflammation of meninges due to bacterial or viral infection.

Diaphragm

A horizontal sheet-like skeletal muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities; major muscle of inspiration.

Serous Membranes

Composed of simple squamous epithelium (called mesothelium) overlying a layer of areolar connective tissue.

Visceral Layer

Covers organs within the cavity.

Parietal Layer

Lines the cavity wall.

Pleura

Serous membrane associated with the lungs in the thoracic cavity.

Pericardium

Serous membrane associated with the heart in the thoracic cavity.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane associated with most (but not all) of the viscera in the abdominopelvic cavity.

Pleural Cavities

Two cavities, each surrounding a lung.

Pericardial Cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart.

Mediastinum

Tissue-filled space between lungs, vertebral column, and sternum containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, thymus gland, large blood vessels, bronchi, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and nerves.