Pearson Mastering A&P - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

Study of the structure of the human body.

Physiology

Study of the functions and processes of the human body.

Cellular composition

The cellular makeup of living matter; components and organization of cells.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions that sustain life in the body.

Growth

Increase in size or number of cells.

Excretion

Removal of waste products from the body.

Responsiveness

Ability to sense and respond to stimuli.

Movement

Motion of body parts or the entire organism.

Reproduction

Production of offspring.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element; basic unit of matter.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Cell membrane

The phospholipid bilayer that encloses a cell.

Squamous epithelial cell

A flat, scale-like epithelial cell.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Multiple layers of flat cells providing protection.

Esophagus

Muscular tube in the digestive system that transports food.

Digestive system

Organ system that digests food and absorbs nutrients.

Gross anatomy

Study of large structures visible to the naked eye.

Histology

Study of tissues under the microscope.

Cytology

Study of cells under the microscope.

Neurophysiology

Physiology of the nervous system.

Anatomic position

Standard reference body position (standing, feet together, palms forward).

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head.

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the feet.

Proximal

Closer to the point of origin or trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of origin or trunk.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the side.

Superficial

Closer to the body surface.

Deep

Farther from the surface; deeper.

Axial region

Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular region

Limbs and girdles.

Cephalic

Head region.

Deltoid

Shoulder region.

Brachial

Arm region.

Antebrachial

Forearm region.

Carpal

Wrist region.

Palmar

Palm region.

Dorsum

Back of the hand.

Digital

Fingers.

Sagittal plane

A plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Parasagittal

Plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

Dorsal cavity

Posterior body cavity containing the brain and spinal cord.

Ventral cavity

Anterior body cavity containing thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Cranial cavity

Cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral (spinal) cavity

Cavity that houses the spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal fluid

Fluid that bathes and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Pleural cavities

Cavities surrounding the lungs.

Mediastinum

Space in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart.

Abdominal cavity

Area from the diaphragm to the pelvis.

Pelvic cavity

Area within the pelvis.

Peritoneal cavity

Subcavity within the abdominal cavity formed by the peritoneum.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering its organs.

Quadrant system

Method of dividing the abdomen into four quadrants using two perpendicular lines through the umbilicus.

Umbilicus

Navel; reference point for quadrant and segmentation.

9-segment system

Alternative abdominal division using four lines (parasagittal and transverse).

Serous membranes

Double-layered membranes with a serous fluid between layers.

Visceral layer

The layer that covers an organ.

Parietal layer

The layer that lines a body cavity.

Serous fluid

Lubricating fluid between serous membrane layers.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of the body’s internal environment.

Homeostatic imbalance

Disturbance in homeostasis that can lead to disease or death if uncorrected.

Feedback loops

Control mechanisms that adjust a variable to maintain homeostasis.

Negative feedback loop

Opposes the initial change; reduces output.

Positive feedback loop

Reinforces the initial change; increases output.

Stimulus

Change that triggers a response in a feedback system.

Sensor

Component that detects changes in a variable.

Integrating center

Part that processes information and determines the response.

Effector

Organ or tissue that carries out the response.

Response

The result that returns the variable toward its set point.