ZMT 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the introduction to human anatomy and physiology, including anatomical terminology, levels of organization, organ systems, life functions, survival needs, homeostasis, and medical imaging techniques.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work or function.

Gross Anatomy

Large structures easily observable.

Microscopic Anatomy

Very small structures that can only be viewed with a microscope.

Levels of Structural Organization

Atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organism.

Skin System

Forms the external body covering and protects deeper tissue from injury; synthesizes vitamin D and is the location of cutaneous nerve receptors.

Skeletal System

Protects and supports body organs, provides muscle attachment for movement, is the site of blood cell formation, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

Allows locomotion, maintains posture, and produces heat using skeletal muscles.

Nervous System

A fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external change by activating muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Secretes regulatory hormones for growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

Cardiovascular System

Transports materials in the body via blood pumped by the heart, including oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and wastes.

Lymphatic System

Returns fluids to blood vessels, disposes of debris, and is involved in immunity.

Respiratory System

Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Breaks down food, allows for nutrient absorption into the blood, and eliminates indigestible material.

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes, maintains acid-base balance, and regulates water and electrolytes.

Reproductive System

Production of offspring.

Necessary Life Functions

Maintain boundaries, movement, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, and growth.

Nutrients

Chemicals for energy and cell building, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.

Oxygen

Required for chemical reactions.

Water

60–80% of body weight and provides for metabolic reactions.

Nutrients

Chemicals for energy and cell building, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis must be maintained for normal body functioning and to sustain life. Imbalance results in disease.

Receptor

Responds to changes in the environment (stimuli) and sends information to the control center.

Control Center

Determines the set point, analyzes information, and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

Provides a means for response to the stimulus.

Negative Feedback

Shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity; includes most homeostatic control mechanisms.

Positive Feedback

Increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther; only occurs in blood clotting and birth of a baby.

Anatomical Terminology

Standard anatomical position, directional terms, regions, and structures to prevent misunderstanding.

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior (Caudal)

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial (External)

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep (Internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Anterior Body Landmarks

Nasal, orbital, oral, buccal, cervical, thoracic, etc.

Posterior Body Landmarks

Occipital, scapular, vertebral, lumbar, sacral, gluteal, etc.

Body Planes

Midsagittal (median), frontal (coronal), and transverse planes.

Body Cavities

Cranial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, and abdominopelvic cavities.

Abdominopelvic Regions

Right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac, right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar, right iliac, hypogastric, left iliac regions.

Medical Imaging Techniques

Light microscopy, electron microscopy, radiography (X-Rays), CT scanning, ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Microscopy

Examining small structures through a microscope.

Light Microscopy.

Illuminates tissue with a beam of light (lower magnification).

Electron microscopy

Uses beams of electrons (higher magnification).

X-ray

Electromagnetic waves of very short length used for visualizing bones and abnormal dense structures.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Takes successive X-rays around a person's full circumference and translates recorded information into a detailed picture of a body section.

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)

Provides an unobstructed view of small arteries and is often used to identify blockages of arteries that supply the heart or brain.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Forms images by detecting radioactive isotopes injected into the body.

Sonography (Ultrasound Imaging)

Probes the body with pulses of high-frequency sound waves that echo off the body's tissues.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Produces high-quality images of soft tissues and distinguishes body tissues based on relative water content.