Comprehensive Anatomy & Physiology: Body Structures, Homeostasis, and Medical Terminology

Anatomy

The study of the structure of organisms.

Physiology

The study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.

Homeostasis

A stable internal environment maintained by physiological systems.

Cell

The smallest unit of an organism capable of performing all of the basic functions of life.

Tissue

A mass of similar cells and extracellular matrix forming a discrete region of an organ and performing a specific function.

Organ

A structure composed of 2 or more tissue types working together to carry out a particular function.

Organ system

A group of organs with a unique collective function, such as circulation, respiration, digestion.

Gross anatomy

The study of structures that can be seen with the unaided eye.

Microscopic anatomy

The study of structures requiring a microscope to view.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Epithelial tissue

One of the four principal tissue types that covers body surfaces and lines cavities.

Nervous tissue

One of the four principal tissue types that transmits impulses and processes information.

Connective tissue

One of the four principal tissue types that supports and binds other tissues.

Muscle tissue

One of the four principal tissue types that is responsible for movement.

Autoregulation

Automatic response by a cell, tissue, organ or organ system to a change in its environment.

Extrinsic regulation

Regulation by the nervous or endocrine system.

Negative feedback

A stimulus is producing a response that opposes the original stimulus.

Positive feedback

An escalating cycle that reinforces the initial stimulus instead of opposing it.

Integrating center

A control center able to process and communicate.

Effectors

A cell or organ able to respond to the control center and effect some change.

Receptors

A sensor able to perceive a stimulus or change.

Positive feedback loop

Parturition.

Supine position

Lying on the back.

Prone position

Lying on the stomach.

What happens when the body fails to maintain homeostasis?

Death

Why is positive feedback helpful in blood clotting?

Positive feedback is suitable because without it bleeding would not stop.

Why is the anatomical position important?

Provides a standard and precise frame of reference, ulna and radius are uncrossed

Anterior

toward the front of the body

Posterior

toward the back of the body

Medial

toward the midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline of the body

Superior

closer to the top of the body

Inferior

closer to the bottom of the body

Proximal

situated closer to the point of origin or attachment

Distal

situated away from the point of origin or attachment

Superficial

closer to the body surface

Deep

further within the body

Ipsilateral

on the same side

Contralateral

on the opposite side

Planes

frontal, sagittal, transverse

Sagittal Plane

results in left and right portions

midsagittal plane

results in exact right and left portions

Frontal Plane

also called coronal plane, results in anterior and posterior portions

Transverse Plane

also called transaxial or horizontal plane, results in inferior and superior portions

Serous membranes

membranes that secrete a lubricating film of fluid similar in composition to blood serum

Peritoneum

the membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity

Greater omentum

a fatty fold of the peritoneum that hangs like an apron from the inferior anterior margin of the stomach

Mesentery

a double layer of peritoneum that suspends the intestines from the dorsal abdominal wall and supplies them with blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.