A/P CH 1: Intro to Human Anatomy & Physiology

All of the definitions from textbook and lab manual and learning videos thru chapter 1.

Anatomy

The branch of science that deals with the structure (morphology) of body parts- their forms and how they are organized

Physiology

The functions of body parts- what they do and how they do it

Atom

Simplest unit of matter

Molecule

Particle composed of two or more atoms

Macromolecule

Very large molecule (ex. protein or nucleic acid)

Organelle

A structure in a cell that has a specialized function

Cell

The structural and functional unit of an organism

Tissue

Group of similar cells that performs a specialized function

Organ

Structure consisting of a group of tissues with a specialized function

Organ System

Group of organs coordinated to carry on a specialized function

Organism

An individual living thing

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions in a cell

Homeostasis

Dynamic state in which the body’s internal environment is maintained in the normal range.

Internal environment

Conditions and elements that make up the inside of the body, surrounding the cells

Receptor

Specialized cell that provides information about the environment.

Set Point

Target value of a physiological condition maintained in the body by homeostasis

Effector

A muscle or gland that effects change in the body

Negative Feedback

A mechanism that restores the level of a biochemical or other balance in the internal environment

Positive Feedback

Process by which changes cause additional similar changes, producing unstable conditions

Gross Anatomy

Also known as “Macroscopic Anatomy”, this type of anatomy examines large visible structures

Microscopic Anatomy

Examines cells or molecules

Cytology

Study of cells

Histology

Study of tissues (collections of cells)

Cell Physiology

Functions of cells

Organ Physiology

Functions of specific organs

Systemic Physiology

Functions of organ systems

Pathological Physiology

Effects of diseases on organs or systems

Integumentary System

Hair, Skin, Nails

Skeletal System

bones, cartilage, ligaments, bone marrow

Muscular System

Skeletal muscles, tendons

Nervous System

Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerves, Sense organs

Endocrine System

Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, gonads, hormone tissues

Cardiovascular System

heart, blood, blood vessels

Lymphatic System

Spleen, thymus, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, tonsils

Respiratory System

Nasal cavities, sinuses, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli

digestive system

teeth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas

urinary system

kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra

male reproductive system

testes, epididymides, ductus deferentia, seminal vesicle, prostate, penis, scrotum

female reproductive system

ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, labia, clitoris, mammary glands

surface anatomy

locating structures on or near the bodys surface

Anatomical Position

Hands at sides, palms forward

Supine

Lying down, face up

Prone

lying down, face down

superior

above, towards the head

Inferior

Below, towards the feet

Medial

toward the midline

Lateral

away from the midline

proximal

toward the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk

distal

away from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk

superficial

close to the body’s surface

deep

toward the interior of the body, far from the surface

cranial

towards the head

caudal

towards the tail (tailbone)

anterior/ventral

the front surface

posterior/dorsal

the back surface

Frontal (coronal) plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

Saggital Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into L/R portions

Midsaggital

a cut right in the middle of the midline

parasaggital

a cut in the body that is offset from the middle (body planes)

Transverse Plane

divides body into superior and inferior portions

Axial

Pertaining to the head, neck and trunk

Appendicular

Pertaining to the upper or lower limbs

Cranial Cavity

Houses the brain

Vertebral Canal

Contains the spinal cord within the sections of the backbone (vertebrae)

thoracic cavity

Hollow space inside the chest containing the thoracic organs

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Space between the diaphragm and the pelvic outlet that contains the abdominal and pelvic viscera

Viscera

Organs in a body cavity

Mediastinum

Tissues and organs of the thoracic cavity that form a septum between the lungs

Abdominal Cavity

space between the diaphragm and the pelvic outlet that contains the abdominal viscera

Pelvic Cavity

Hollow place within the ring formed by the sacrum and the hip bones that encloses the terminal part of the large intestine, the urinary bladder, and the internal reproductive organs

Oral cavity

Mouth Cavity

Nasal cavity

space in the nose

orbital cavities

containing the eyes and associated skeletal muscles and nerves

Middle Ear cavities

containing the middle ear bones

Parietal

Pertaining to the wall of a cavity

Visceral

refers to a membrane that is deeper toward the interior and covers an internal organ such as a lung

Pleural Membranes

serous membrane that encloses the lungs and lines the chest wall

Peritoneal Membrane

Membranes in the abdominopelvic cavity

9 abdominal regions

abdominal

region between thorax and pelvis

acromial

point of the shoulder

antebrachial

the forearm

antecubital

space in front of elbow

axillary

the armpit

brachial

arm

buccal

the cheek

calcaneal

heel

carpal

wrist

celiac

abdomen

cephalic

the head

cervical

neck

costal

ribs

coxal

hip

crural

leg

cubital

elbow

digital

finger or toe

dorsal

back

femoral

thigh

frontal

forehead

genital

reproductive organs