The Human Body: An Orientation - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering foundational concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology, structural organization, organ systems, homeostasis, directional terminology, body planes, and cavities.

Anatomy

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

Physiology

The study of the function of the body's structural machinery.

Cytology

A branch of microscopic anatomy that focuses on the study of cells.

Histology

A branch of microscopic anatomy that focuses on the study of tissues.

Embryology

The study of developmental changes of the body before birth.

Principle of Complementarity

The principle stating that function always reflects structure, and what a structure can do depends on its specific form.

Levels of Structural Organization

The structural hierarchy of the human body, moving from chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, to organismal levels.

Integumentary System

Organ system composed of skin, sweat glands, oil glands, hair, and nails that forms external body covering, protects deep tissues, and synthesizes vitamin D.

Skeletal System

Organ system composed of bone, cartilage, and ligaments that protects and supports organs, provides a framework for muscles, forms blood cells, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

Organ system composed of muscles and tendons that allows manipulation of environment, locomotion, facial expression, maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system composed of the brain, spinal column, and nerves that responds to stimuli by activating muscles and glands.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system composed of the heart and blood vessels where the heart pumps blood and blood vessels transport blood throughout the body.

Lymphatic System

Organ system composed of red bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels that returns leaked fluid to blood, disposes of debris, and houses immunity white blood cells.

Respiratory System

Organ system composed of nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs that keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Organ system composed of oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, and liver that breaks down food into absorbable units and eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces.

Urinary System

Organ system composed of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra that eliminates nitrogenous wastes and regulates water, electrolyte, and pH balance of blood.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment in an ever-changing outside world.

Receptor

Homeostatic control component that monitors the environment and responds to changes or stimuli.

Control Center

Homeostatic control component that determines the set point at which a variable is maintained.

Effector

Homeostatic control component that provides the means to respond to the stimulus.

Negative Feedback System

A control system where the output shuts off or reduces the original stimulus, such as during regulation of blood glucose levels at a normal set point of about $90\,\text{mg}/100\,\text{ml}$.

Positive Feedback System

A control system where the output enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus, such as the cycle involved in blood clotting.

Anatomical Position

Standard body reference position where the body is erect, feet slightly apart, palms face forward, and thumbs point away from the body.

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.

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.

Sagittal Plane

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

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

A vertical body plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Transverse Plane (Horizontal Plane)

A cross-section plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Body Planes

Anatomical cuts through the torso including frontal section, transverse section, and median (midsagittal) section.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Cavity that protects the nervous system and is divided into cranial cavity (encasing brain) and vertebral cavity (encasing spinal cord).

Ventral Body Cavity

Cavity housing internal organs (viscera), divided by the diaphragm into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Parietal Serosa

The serous membrane layer that lines internal body walls.

Visceral Serosa

The serous membrane layer that covers internal organs.

Nine Abdominopelvic Regions

Anatomical regions of the abdominopelvic cavity consisting of Right/Left hypochondriac, Epigastric, Right/Left lumbar, Umbilical, Right/Left iliac (inguinal), and Hypogastric (pubic) regions.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

The four main quadrants dividing the abdomen: Right upper quadrant, Left upper quadrant, Right lower quadrant, and Left lower quadrant.