Understanding the Human Body - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key anatomy and physiology terms from the notes, including levels of organization, homeostasis, directional terms, body planes, cavities, and body systems.

Anatomy

Study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.

Physiology

Study of the function of body parts and how they carry out life-sustaining activities.

Complementarity of Structure and Function

Principle that function reflects structure; what a structure can do depends on its form.

Levels of Structural Organization

Hierarchical organization from simple chemical level to the complex organismal level.

Chemical Level

Atoms, molecules, and organelles—the simplest level of organization.

Cellular Level

Level that consists of a single cell.

Tissue Level

Level consisting of groups of similar cells performing a common function.

Organ Level

Level where an organ contains two or more tissue types forming a structure.

Organ System Level

Level where multiple organs work closely together to perform major functions.

Organismal Level

All organ systems combined to make the whole organism.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment within a narrow range.

Receptor

Sensor that monitors changes in a controlled variable.

Control Center

Receives input from receptor and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

Organ or cell that brings about the response to restore homeostasis.

Negative Feedback

A control mechanism in which the response reduces or shuts off the original stimulus.

Positive Feedback

A control mechanism that enhances or amplifies the original stimulus.

Examples of Negative Feedback

Regulation of body temperature and regulation of blood glucose by insulin.

Survival Needs

Conditions required for life: nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, and atmospheric pressure.

Nutrients

Chemicals for energy and cell building (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins).

Oxygen

Essential for release of energy from foods; life cannot be sustained long without it.

Water

Most abundant chemical in the body; provides the medium for chemical reactions and secretions/excretions.

Normal Body Temperature

Maintaining body temperature within a narrow range necessary for enzyme function.

Atmospheric Pressure

Air pressure required for adequate breathing and gas exchange in the lungs.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference position: body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, thumbs away from the body.

Superior

Above; toward the head end of the body.

Inferior

Below; toward the feet.

Anterior

Front; toward the belly side.

Posterior

Back; toward the spine.

Deep

Away from the body surface; internal.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or to a reference point.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or reference point.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Midsagittal

Sagittal plane that runs exactly along the midline.

Parasagittal

Sagittal plane offset from the midline.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Four divisions (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) used to locate organs.

RUQ

Right upper quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity.

LUQ

Left upper quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity.

RLQ

Right lower quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity.

LLQ

Left lower quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Abdominopelvic Regions

Nine regions used by anatomists to describe locations (e.g., epigastric, hypochondriac, umbilical).