Chapter 01: The Sciences of Anatomy and Physiology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, anatomical concepts, body regions, feedback mechanisms, and medical imaging techniques from Chapter 01.

Anatomy

The study of the form and structure of the body.

Physiology

The study of how the body functions.

Cytology

A division of microscopic anatomy focused on the study of body cells and their internal structure.

Histology

A division of microscopic anatomy focused on the study of tissues.

Systemic Anatomy

A division of gross anatomy that studies the anatomy of each body system.

Regional Anatomy

A division of gross anatomy that examines the structures in a specific body region.

Surface Anatomy

A division of gross anatomy focused on superficial anatomic markings and internal body structures.

Comparative Anatomy

A division of gross anatomy that examines anatomical similarities and differences in different species.

Embryology

A division of gross anatomy that studies developmental changes from conception to birth.

Pathologic Anatomy

The study of macroscopic and microscopic anatomic changes resulting from disease.

Radiographic Anatomy

The study of internal structures visualized by scanning procedures.

Cardiovascular Physiology

A subdiscipline of physiology that examines the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Neurophysiology

A subdiscipline of physiology that studies the functioning of nerves and nervous system organs.

Respiratory Physiology

A subdiscipline of physiology that explores the functioning of respiratory organs.

Reproductive Physiology

A subdiscipline of physiology that investigates the functioning of reproductive hormones and the reproductive cycle.

Pathophysiology

A subdiscipline of physiology that focuses on the function of a body system during disease or injury to the system.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within the body.

Anabolism

A metabolic phase in which small molecules are joined to form larger ones.

Catabolism

A metabolic phase in which large molecules are broken down into smaller ones.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain a consistent internal environment in response to changing internal or external conditions.

Anatomic Position

An upright standing reference position with feet parallel and flat on the floor, upper limbs at the sides, palms facing anteriorly, head level, and eyes looking forward.

Coronal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts; also called frontal plane.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts; also called cross-sectional plane.

Midsagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves; also called median plane.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane parallel to the midsagittal plane that divides a structure into unequal left and right portions.

Oblique Plane

A plane that passes through a body structure at an angle.

Axial Region

A main division of the human body that includes the head, neck, and trunk, forming the main vertical axis of the body.

Appendicular Region

A main division of the human body consisting of the upper and lower limbs.

Cranial Cavity

A posterior aspect cavity formed by the bones of the cranium that houses the brain.

Vertebral Canal

A posterior aspect cavity formed by the bones of the vertebral column that houses the spinal cord.

Parietal Layer

A serous membrane layer that lines the internal surface of a body cavity wall.

Visceral Layer

A serous membrane layer that covers the external surface of organs (viscera).

Serous Fluid

A liquid secreted by cells in serous membranes that acts as a lubricant to reduce friction caused by organ movement.

Mediastinum

The median space in the thoracic cavity that contains the heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels.

Pericardium

A two-layered serous membrane enclosing the heart, consisting of parietal and visceral layers.

Pleura

A two-layered serous membrane associated with the lungs, consisting of parietal and visceral layers.

Peritoneum

A two-layered serous membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity.

Abdominopelvic Regions

A division of the abdominopelvic cavity into nine compartments: umbilical, epigastric, hypogastric, right and left hypochondriac, right and left lumbar, and right and left iliac regions.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

A division of the abdominopelvic cavity into four sections using transverse and midsagittal planes passing through the umbilicus: RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, and LLQ.

Receptor

A homeostatic system component that detects changes in a regulated variable (stimulus).

Control Center

A homeostatic system component (usually the brain or endocrine gland) that interprets input from a receptor and initiates changes through an effector.

Effector

A homeostatic system structure (such as a muscle or gland) that brings about a change to alter the stimulus.

Negative Feedback

A homeostatic control mechanism in which a variable fluctuates around a set point and the resulting action is in the opposite direction of the stimulus.

Positive Feedback

A homeostatic control mechanism in which a stimulus is reinforced to continue moving a variable in the same direction until a climactic event occurs.

Radiography

A medical imaging technique using x-rays that pass through soft tissues but are absorbed by dense tissues such as bones, teeth, and tumors.

Ultrasound

A medical imaging technique that emits high-frequency sound waves from a transducer, which are reflected back by internal organs; also called sonography.

Digital Subtraction Angiography

A modified 3-D x-ray technique using an injected opaque medium primarily to view blood vessel blockages or narrowing; abbreviated DSA.

Computed Tomography

An x-ray imaging technique where thin slices are reconstructed by a computer into a sharp 3-D image; abbreviated CT.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A medical imaging technique using a magnetic field to align protons of hydrogen atoms and detect alignment shifts to produce clear soft tissue images; abbreviated MRI.

Positron Emission Tomography

A medical imaging technique where radioactive glucose emits positrons detected as gamma rays by sensors, revealing the degree of glucose metabolism in tissues; abbreviated PET.

Levels of Structural Organization

The hierarchical organization of the human body, progressing from chemical to cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels.

Integumentary System

An organ system providing protection, preventing water loss and gain, synthesizing vitamin D, regulating body temperature, and housing sensory receptors.

Skeletal System

An organ system providing support and protection, serving as a site of hematopoiesis, storing calcium and phosphorus, and allowing muscle attachment.

Muscular System

An organ system that produces body movement and generates heat during muscle contraction.

Nervous System

A regulatory organ system that responds to sensory stimuli, controls muscles and glands, and is responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory.

Endocrine System

An organ system consisting of glands that secrete hormones to regulate growth, metabolism, blood composition, and reproductive functions.

Cardiovascular System

An organ system consisting of the heart and blood vessels that circulates blood to distribute nutrients, gases, and hormones.

Lymphatic System

An organ system that transports and filters lymph fluid and participates in immune responses.

Respiratory System

An organ system responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and atmospheric air.

Urinary System

An organ system that filters blood to remove waste, concentrates waste as urine, and expels urine from the body.

Digestive System

An organ system that mechanically and chemically digests food, absorbs nutrients, and expels solid waste.

Anterior

Anatomic directional term meaning in front of or toward the front surface of the body.

Posterior

Anatomic directional term meaning in back of or toward the back surface of the body.

Superior

Anatomic directional term meaning closer to the head or higher in position.

Inferior

Anatomic directional term meaning closer to the feet or lower in position.

Medial

Anatomic directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Anatomic directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Anatomic directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment or origin of a limb.

Distal

Anatomic directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment or origin of a limb.

Axial Region

A main division of the human body that includes the head, neck, and trunk, forming the main vertical axis of the body.

Set Point

The ideal target value around which a homeostatically regulated variable naturally fluctuates.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A state resulting from the failure of homeostatic control mechanisms, leading to disease or disorder.

Frontal

Anatomic regional term referring to the forehead.

Orbital

Anatomic regional term referring to the eye.

Nasal

Anatomic regional term referring to the nose.

Buccal

Anatomic regional term referring to the cheek.

Oral

Anatomic regional term referring to the mouth.

Mental

Anatomic regional term referring to the chin.

Cranial

Anatomic regional term referring to the skull.

Occipital

Anatomic regional term referring to the posterior aspect of the head.

Auricular

Anatomic regional term referring to the ear.

Cervical

Anatomic regional term referring to the neck.

Deltoid

Anatomic regional term referring to the shoulder.

Axillary

Anatomic regional term referring to the armpit.

Brachial

Anatomic regional term referring to the arm (portion of upper limb between shoulder and elbow).

Antecubital

Anatomic regional term referring to the anterior surface of the elbow.

Olecranal

Anatomic regional term referring to the posterior surface of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Anatomic regional term referring to the forearm.

Carpal

Anatomic regional term referring to the wrist.

Palmar

Anatomic regional term referring to the palm of the hand.

Pollex

Anatomic regional term referring to the thumb.

Digital

Anatomic regional term referring to the fingers or toes.

Pectoral

Anatomic regional term referring to the chest.

Sternal

Anatomic regional term referring to the anterior midline of the thorax (breastbone area).

Mammary

Anatomic regional term referring to the breast.

Abdominal

Anatomic regional term referring to the abdomen.

Umbilical

Anatomic regional term referring to the navel.

Coxal

Anatomic regional term referring to the hip.

Inguinal

Anatomic regional term referring to the groin.

Pubic

Anatomic regional term referring to the anterior region of the pelvis.