Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology, including levels of organization, homeostatic mechanisms, organ systems, and anatomical terminology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure (morphology) of the body and its parts (form and organization).

Physiology

The study of the functions of body parts and how they work and interact.

Atoms

The smallest unit of a chemical.

Molecules

Particles consisting of two or more atoms.

Macromolecules

Larger particles composed of small molecules bound together.

Cell

The smallest unit to display all of the characteristics of living organisms; the basic unit of structure and function in all living things.

Tissue

Groups of cells that function together.

Organs

Groups of tissues that perform specialized functions.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions going on in the cells of an organism as it ingests food, breaks down and synthesizes chemicals, and removes wastes.

Respiration

The release of energy from food, by using oxygen and giving off of carbon dioxide.

Atmospheric Pressure

The force applied by the air that is needed for breathing.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Fluid pressure needed to move blood through blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.

Receptors

Homeostatic components that detect and monitor specific types of changes (stimuli) in the internal environment.

Set Point

The normal value or range of values for a particular variable; for body temperature, this is $98.6^{\circ}F$ or $37^{\circ}C$.

Effectors

Muscles or glands that bring about the changes necessary to return a variable back to its set point or normal range.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism by which a deviation in a variable from its set point is corrected, with effector activity lessening as the variable returns toward normal.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism by which a deviation in a variable from its set point moves conditions farther away from the normal range.

Axial Portion

The part of the body containing the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

The part of the body containing the upper and lower limbs.

Diaphragm

A broad, thin muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Parietal Portion

The part of a double-layered membrane that lines the wall of a cavity.

Visceral Portion

The part of a double-layered membrane that covers each internal organ.

Pleural Membranes

Double-layered membranes that line the thoracic cavity and cover the lungs.

Pericardial Membranes

Double-layered membranes that surround the heart.

Peritoneal Membranes

Double-layered membranes that line the abdominopelvic cavity and cover its organs.

Integumentary System

The body covering system including skin, hair, nails, and glands that protects tissues and helps regulate temperature.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones to alter the metabolism of target cells.

Lymphatic System

System consisting of vessels, nodes, and fluid that drains excess tissue fluid and uses lymphocytes to defend the body against infection.

Anatomical Position

A stance where the body is erect, face forward, and upper limbs are at the sides with palms forward.

Superior

A term of relative position meaning above another part.

Medial

Closer to the midline when the body is divided into left and right halves.

Ipsilateral

Structures located on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Structures located on the opposite sides of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk or another referenced body part.

Distal

Further from the point of attachment to the trunk or another referenced body part.

Superficial

Near the surface or outward.

Sagittal Section

A longitudinal section that divides the body into right and left portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Section

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

Transverse (Horizontal) Section

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