An Introduction to the Human Body

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to the introduction to human anatomy and physiology, including branches of study, structural organisation levels, characteristics of life, homeostasis, anatomical terminology, and medical imaging.

Anatomy

The arrangement of body parts and how they relate to each other.

Physiology

The processes and mechanisms by which body parts operate and perform their functions.

Embryology

The study of early development after fertilisation.

Neurophysiology

The study of the functions of nerve cells.

Cell biology

The study of cell structure and function.

Endocrinology

The study of hormones and how they are regulated.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Cardiovascular physiology

The study of the functions of the heart and blood vessels.

Gross anatomy

The study of structures that are visible without a microscope.

Respiratory physiology

The study of the functions of the lungs and airways.

Imaging anatomy

The study of structures visualised using X-ray, CT, and MRI.

Renal physiology

The study of kidney functions.

Pathological anatomy

The study of structural changes in the body due to disease.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes in the body due to disease.

Chemical level

The first level of structural organisation of the body.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions in the body, including anabolism and catabolism.

Responsiveness

The ability to detect and respond to internal or external changes.

Movement

The motion of the whole body, organs, cells, or internal structures.

Growth

An increase in size due to an increase in cell number or cell size.

Differentiation

The process where unspecialised cells develop into specialised cells.

Reproduction

The formation of new cells for growth and repair or the production of a new individual.

Autopsy

A postmortem examination of the body (also called a necropsy) to determine the cause of death.

Homeostasis

A state of stability and balance within the body's internal environment, regulated through control mechanisms.

Negative Feedback

A system where the output shuts off the original effect and causes the variable to change in a direction opposite to the initial change.

Positive Feedback

A system where the initial response enhances the original stimulus so that further responses are even greater and the variable deviates further from its original value.

Diagnosis

The process of identifying a disease based on evidence such as symptoms, signs, medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.

Anatomical position

A standardized position where a person stands upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides, palms facing forward, and feet flat on the floor.

Prone

The body position when lying face down.

Supine

The body position when lying face up.

Sagittal plane

An imaginary flat surface that divides the body into right and left sides.

Coronal (Frontal) plane

An imaginary flat surface that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

An imaginary flat surface that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Body cavities

Internal spaces that protect, separate, and support the body's organs.

Parietal Serosa

The membrane that lines the cavity wall.

Visceral Serosa

The membrane that covers the organs within a cavity.

Serous Cavity

The space between the parietal serosa and the visceral serosa.

Radiography (X-ray)

A technique using a single barrage of X-rays to produce a $2D$ image of body structures on film.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to create $2D$ or $3D$ images of body tissues.

Computed Tomography (CT)

A computer-assisted X-ray imaging technique that creates detailed cross-sectional views of the body.

Ultrasound Scanning

A technique using high-frequency sound waves to produce images called sonograms of internal structures.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging technique where a radioactive tracer emits gamma rays to show metabolic activity.

Endoscopy

A direct visual examination of internal organs using a lighted instrument.