Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental anatomical terms, subdivisions, homeostasis mechanisms, orientation/directional terms, body planes, cavities, serous membranes, and abdominopelvic divisions from Chapter 1.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another.

Physiology

The study of the function of body parts and how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

Gross (macroscopic) anatomy

The subdivision of anatomy that focuses on the study of large, visible body structures.

Regional anatomy

The study of all anatomical structures in a particular area of the body.

Systemic anatomy

The study of anatomy focusing on just one system at a time, such as the cardiovascular, nervous, or muscular system.

Surface anatomy

The study of internal body structures as they relate to overlying skin, such as visible muscle masses or surface veins.

Cytology

The microscopic study of cells.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Embryology

A subdivision of developmental anatomy that studies structural development occurring before birth.

Principle of complementarity of structure and function

The anatomical principle stating that anatomy and physiology are inseparable because function always reflects structure.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continuous changes in the environment; a dynamic state of equilibrium.

Receptor (sensor)

A component of homeostatic control that monitors the environment and responds to stimuli.

Control center

A homeostatic control component that determines the set point at which a variable is maintained, receives input from receptors, and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

A component of homeostatic control that receives output from the control center and provides the means to respond, either reducing or enhancing the stimulus.

Negative feedback mechanism

A control mechanism where the output shuts off or reduces the intensity of the original stimulus, returning the variable back toward its ideal value.

Positive feedback mechanism

A control mechanism where the output increases or intensifies the initial stimulus, moving the variable in the same direction further from its ideal value.

Superior (cranial)

Directional term meaning toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior (caudal)

Directional term meaning away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

Anterior (ventral)

Directional term meaning toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior (dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Intermediate

Directional term meaning between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial (external)

Directional term meaning toward or at the body surface.

Deep (internal)

Directional term meaning away from the body surface; more internal.

Midsagittal (median) plane

A vertical plane that divides the body directly down the midline into right and left parts.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal body cavity

Internal body cavity that protects the nervous system, divided into the cranial cavity (containing the brain) and vertebral cavity (containing the spinal cord).

Ventral body cavity

Internal body cavity that houses visceral organs, divided into the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

Serosa (serous membrane)

A double-layered membrane lining walls of the ventral body cavity and covering external organ surfaces, separated by lubricating serous fluid.

Parietal serosa

The layer of a serous membrane that lines internal body cavity walls.

Visceral serosa

The layer of a serous membrane that covers the outer surfaces of organs within body cavities.

Pleurae

The serous membranes that surround the lungs, including parietal and visceral layers.

Pericardium

The serous membrane that surrounds the heart, including parietal and visceral layers.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane that surrounds digestive organs in the abdominopelvic cavity, including parietal and visceral layers.

Abdominopelvic quadrants

The four divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) formed by two perpendicular planes intersecting at the umbilicus.

Abdominopelvic regions

The nine anatomical subdivisions of the abdominopelvic cavity formed by four grid planes: right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac, right lateral (lumbar), umbilical, left lateral (lumbar), right inguinal (iliac), pubic (hypogastric), and left inguinal (iliac).