Anatomy & Physiology - Lecture Notes Review

A comprehensive set of QA flashcards covering anatomy and physiology basics, anatomical position, planes, directional terms, cavities, membranes, eponyms, body contents, and homeostasis.

What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy studies the structure and organization of the body; physiology studies how those structures function.

What is the Anatomical Position?

Body standing upright with feet shoulder-width apart and parallel, toes forward; upper limbs at the sides; palms facing forward; thumbs pointing outward.

What are the key features of the anatomical position?

Upright posture, feet parallel, arms at the sides, palms facing forward, thumbs pointing outward.

What does flexion mean?

Decreasing the angle of a joint.

What does extension mean?

Increasing the angle of a joint.

What does abduction mean?

Moving a limb away from the midline.

What does adduction mean?

Moving a limb toward the midline.

What does rotation mean?

Turning a bone around its longitudinal axis.

What are body cavities?

Spaces within the body that contain organs (cranial, thoracic, abdominal).

What are membranes?

Thin layers of tissue that line cavities and cover organs (serous membranes: pleura, pericardium, peritoneum).

What is an eponym?

A term derived from the name of a person.

Give an example of an eponym mentioned in the notes.

Fallopian tube (named after Fallopius).

Why is standardized anatomical terminology preferred over eponyms?

It provides clear and consistent communication in health sciences.

What is the sagittal plane?

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

What is the median (mid-sagittal) plane?

Vertical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

What is the transverse (horizontal) plane?

Divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts.

What does superficial mean?

Closer to the surface of the body.

What does deep mean?

Located farther from the surface.

What does anterior mean?

Front of the body.

What does posterior mean?

Back of the body.

What does ventral mean?

Front or belly side of the body.

What does dorsal mean?

Back or posterior side of the body.

What does proximal mean?

Closer to the trunk or point of attachment.

What does distal mean?

Farther from the trunk or point of attachment.

What does superior mean?

Above or higher than another body part; cranial is a related term.

What does inferior mean?

Below or lower; toward the feet.

What does internal mean?

Located toward the inside relative to the center.

What does external mean?

Located toward the outside relative to the center.

What does central mean?

Being in the middle or core.

What does peripheral mean?

On the edge or outer part.

What does ipsilateral mean?

On the same side as another structure.

What does midline (median) mean?

Imaginary vertical plane dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

What does medial mean?

Near the midline.

What does lateral mean?

Farther from the midline.

What are the dorsal cavity subdivisions?

Cranial cavity (brain) and spinal cavity (spinal cord).

What are the ventral cavity subdivisions?

Thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

What organs are in the thoracic cavity?

Lungs, heart, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels.

What organs are in the abdominal cavity?

Stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys.

What organs are in the pelvic cavity?

Urinary bladder, rectum, reproductive organs.

What is the function of serous membranes?

Line cavities and cover organs (pleura, pericardium, peritoneum) to reduce friction.

What is the scientific name for red blood cells?

Erythrocytes.

What is the scientific name for white blood cells?

Leukocytes.

What is homeostasis?

The process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Which internal conditions are typically regulated by homeostasis?

Body temperature, blood sugar, blood pressure, and fluid/electrolyte balance.

Why is homeostasis important?

Disruption can lead to illness or death if not restored.

What does self-regulating mean in the context of homeostasis?

The body uses mechanisms to monitor and adjust internal conditions, often without conscious awareness.