Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary and concepts in Anatomy and Physiology.

Anatomy

The study of structure—what something is made of, where it is, and what it looks like.

Physiology

The study of function—how body parts work.

Principle of Complementarity

Structure determines function. What something does (physiology) depends on how it is built (anatomy).

Histology

The study of tissues (a type of microscopic anatomy).

Integumentary System

Skin, hair, nails; provides protection.

Skeletal System

Bones, joints; provides support and movement.

Muscular System

Skeletal muscles; responsible for movement.

Nervous System

Brain, spinal cord, nerves; fast control system.

Endocrine System

Glands and hormones; slow control system.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels; responsible for transport.

Lymphatic/Immune System

Lymph nodes, spleen; provides immunity.

Respiratory System

Lungs, airways; facilitates gas exchange.

Digestive System

Stomach, intestines, etc.; allows for nutrient absorption.

Urinary System

Kidneys, bladder; responsible for waste removal.

Reproductive System

Testes, ovaries, etc.; responsible for reproduction.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes; a dynamic state of equilibrium.

Negative Feedback

Response reduces or shuts off original stimulus (e.g., sweating when hot, shivering when cold).

Positive Feedback

Response amplifies original stimulus (e.g., labor contractions, blood clotting).

Hyaline Cartilage

Provides support with flexibility and resilience; located at the ends of long bones, ribs, and nose.

Elastic Cartilage

Tolerates repeated bending; flexible; located in the ear and epiglottis.

Fibrocartilage

Strong, compressible, tensile strength; located in intervertebral discs, menisci, and pubic symphysis.

Hematopoiesis

Blood cell formation in red marrow.

Osteocalcin

Hormone produced by bone; regulates insulin, glucose, and energy.

Osteon

Structural unit of compact bone; also known as a Haversian system.

Lamellae

Concentric rings in compact bone.

Central Canal

Contains nerves and vessels in compact bone.

Canaliculi

Small channels for cell communication in compact bone.

Lacunae

Houses osteocytes in compact bone.

Trabeculae

Aligned with stress in spongy bone; no osteons present.

Osteoid

Collagen + proteins; binds calcium in bone matrix; provides flexibility and resists tension.

Epiphyseal Plate

Hyaline cartilage where bone growth occurs.

Osteoblasts

Bone builders; secrete osteoid, lay down new bone.

Osteocytes

Maintain bone matrix; signal for repair.

Osteoclasts

Bone resorbers; break down bone matrix.

Wolff’s Law

Bone remodels according to mechanical stress; more stress leads to stronger/thicker bone at stress site.

Osteomalacia/Rickets

Cause: Vitamin D or calcium deficiency. Result: Soft bones (adult/child), bowed legs, wide growth plates.

Osteoporosis

Cause: Resorption > deposition. Risk: Aging, inactivity, hormonal imbalance. Prevention: Calcium, exercise, less soda/alcohol.

Paget’s Disease

Cause: Excess, disorganized remodeling. Effect: Weak, deformed bone (mostly spongy). Unknown cause (possibly viral).

Epithelial Tissue

Function: Protection, absorption, secretion, filtration, excretion, sensory reception. Covers surfaces and lines cavities/organs. Also forms glands.

Connective Tissue

Function: Binding/support, protection, insulation (fat), transportation (blood).

Muscle Tissue

Function: Movement (voluntary and involuntary).

Nervous Tissue

Function: Communication via electrical impulses. Location: Brain, spinal cord, nerves.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Single flat layer; Function: Diffusion, filtration; Location: Lungs, kidneys, endothelium, serosa.

Simple Cuboidal Epithelium

Single cube-shaped layer; Function: Secretion, absorption; Location: Kidney tubules, glands.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

Tall single layer (+ microvilli/goblet); Function: Absorption, secretion; Location: GI tract.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Many layers, flat apical cells; Function: Protection; Location: Skin, mouth, esophagus.

Transitional Epithelium

Multiple layers, dome-shaped top; Function: Stretching; Location: Bladder, ureters.

Exocrine Glands

Secrete onto body surface or into cavity (via duct); duct present; e.g., salivary, sweat, sebaceous glands, pancreas.

Endocrine Glands

Secrete into extracellular fluid then blood; no duct; produce hormones; e.g., pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas (islets).

Merocrine Glands

Secrete via exocytosis (e.g., sweat, salivary glands).

Holocrine Glands

Rupture & release (e.g., sebaceous/oil glands).

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

Dermis

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis, composed of dense irregular connective tissue.

Hypodermis

Subcutaneous tissue that lies beneath the dermis.

Keratinocytes

Major cell type in the epidermis.

Melanocytes

Produce melanin; contribute to skin color.

Eccrine glands

More numerous sweat glands found on palms, soles, and forehead that secrete watery sweat for temperature regulation.

Apocrine glands

Sweat glands found in axillary and genital areas that secrete thicker sweat containing proteins and lipids, which can produce body odor.

Basal cell carcinoma

Most common, least dangerous skin cancer, originates from stratum basale.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Skin cancer originating from keratinocytes of stratum spinosum; can metastasize.

Melanoma

Most dangerous skin cancer, originates from melanocytes, highly metastatic.