Nursing Anatomy and Physiology Reviewer (Modules 1 to 23)

High-yield vocabulary flashcards reviewing essential concepts, structures, functions, and clinical pathologies across Modules 1 through 23 of Anatomy and Physiology for nursing.

Anatomy

The study of body structures.

Physiology

The study of body functions and processes.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within a narrow range.

Negative Feedback Loop

The primary homeostatic control mechanism that reverses deviations from a set point (e.g., body temperature, blood pressure).

Positive Feedback Loop

A mechanism that amplifies a stimulus rather than reversing it (e.g., uterine contractions during labor, blood clotting).

Visceral Membrane

The serous membrane layer that directly covers the surface of internal organs.

Parietal Membrane

The serous membrane layer that lines the outer walls of internal body cavities.

Peroxisome

A cellular organelle that breaks down fatty acids and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$).

Transcription

The process in the nucleus wherein DNA is copied into mRNA.

Translation

The ribosomal process where mRNA codons are matched with tRNA anticodons to link amino acids into proteins.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death.

Classic Signs of Inflammation

The five hallmark indicators: Rubor (redness), Calor (heat), Tumor (swelling), Dolor (pain), and Functio Laesa (loss of function).

Stratum Basale

The deepest epidermal layer, characterized by active mitosis occurring approximately every 19 days.

Melanin

A skin pigment produced by melanocytes and transferred via melanosomes to provide protection against UV light.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin caused by low blood $O_2$ levels.

Apocrine Sweat Glands

Sweat glands located in the axillary and genital areas that secrete organic compounds responsible for body odor.

Third-Degree Burn

A full-thickness burn extending through the epidermis and dermis that is painless due to nerve destruction and requires skin grafting.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells responsible for building new bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells responsible for breaking down bone matrix (resorption).

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone released in response to low blood $Ca^{2+}$ that stimulates osteoclasts to increase blood calcium levels.

Calcitonin

A hormone secreted when blood $Ca^{2+}$ levels are high that inhibits osteoclasts to lower blood calcium levels.

Sarcomere

The basic structural and functional contractile unit of a myofibril, defined from one Z-disk to the adjacent Z-disk.

Isometric Contraction

A muscle contraction where tension increases while muscle length remains constant (e.g., holding an object static).

Isotonic Contraction

A muscle contraction where tension remains constant while the muscle length changes (includes concentric and eccentric).

Aponeuroses

Broad, sheet-like tendons that attach muscles to adjacent structures.

Retinaculum

A dense connective tissue band that holds down tendons around the wrist or ankle.

Rotator Cuff (SITS)

A stabilizing shoulder muscle group consisting of the Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, and Subscapularis.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped CNS neuroglia that form the blood-brain barrier and provide structural support to neurons.

Oligodendrocytes

CNS neuroglial cells responsible for forming myelin sheaths around central axons.

Schwann Cells

PNS neuroglial cells responsible for producing myelin sheaths around peripheral axons.

Nodes of Ranvier

Unmyelinated gaps along an axon between adjacent myelin sheaths that facilitate rapid saltatory conduction.

Broca's Area

A motor speech area in the frontal lobe responsible for executing speech.

Wernicke's Area

A speech area located in the parietal lobe responsible for speech comprehension and formulating words.

Nociceptors

Sensory receptors composed of free nerve endings that respond to painful stimuli.

Presbyopia

An age-related decrease in the eye's ability to accommodate near vision due to lens stiffening.

Glaucoma

An ocular condition caused by increased intraocular pressure resulting from an accumulation of excess aqueous humor.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A posterior pituitary hormone (neurohypophysis) that enhances water reabsorption in the kidney tubules, concentrating urine.

Cushing Syndrome

An endocrine disorder resulting from hypercortisolism, characterized by physical findings such as a moon face and buffalo hump.

Addison Disease

A condition characterized by hypofunction of the adrenal cortex, often presenting with bronze-colored skin pigmentation.

Erythrocytes (RBCs)

Biconcave, anucleated formed elements packed with hemoglobin that carry $O_2$ and $CO_2$, possessing a lifespan of 120 days.

Neutrophils

The most abundant leukocytes (60–70%) that act as primary first responders and phagocytic cells in pus.

Hemostasis

The stoppage of bleeding via three sequential phases: vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurring when an $Rh^-$ mother carries a second $Rh^+$ fetus, preventable via RhoGAM administration.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The total volume of blood pumped by a ventricle per minute, calculated as $CO = SV \times HR$ (~$5\,L/min$ at rest).

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The primary physiological pacemaker of the heart, located in the wall of the right atrium.

Tunica Media

The middle layer of a blood vessel wall composed of smooth muscle and elastic fibers, regulating vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

Hepatic Portal System

The specialized circulatory route carrying nutrient-rich venous blood from the GI viscera capillaries through the hepatic portal vein to the liver sinusoids.

Innate Immunity

The nonspecific defense system present from birth, including physical barriers, antimicrobial chemicals, natural killer cells, and phagocytes.

Surfactant

A fluid secreted in the alveoli that reduces alveolar surface tension, preventing lung collapse during expiration.

Tidal Volume (TV)

The volume of air inspired or expired during a normal resting breath, typically measuring $500\,mL$.

Hypercapnia

Elevated arterial $CO_2$ levels, representing the primary chemical stimulus driving ventilation in healthy individuals via central chemoreceptors.

Parietal Cells

Stomach mucosa cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) to destroy bacteria and intrinsic factor for vitamin $B_{12}$ absorption.

Chief Cells

Gastric glands cells that produce and secrete pepsinogen, the precursor enzyme for pepsin.

Seminiferous Tubules

Coiled tubules within the testes that serve as the precise anatomical site for spermatogenesis.

Interstitial Cells (Leydig)

Testicular cells stimulated by luteinizing hormone (LH) to synthesize and secrete testosterone.

Corpus Luteum

An endocrine tissue formed from a ruptured ovarian follicle during the luteal phase (days 15–28) that secretes elevated levels of progesterone.