Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology, Anatomical Terms, Cells, Tissues & Repair

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms from Units 1–3 covering basic anatomy & physiology, anatomical terminology, cellular organelles, tissue types, and wound-repair processes.

Anatomy

The study of body structure.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Levels of Organization

Hierarchical arrangement: chemical → cellular → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.

Chemical Level

Atoms and molecules that form the building blocks of matter.

Cellular Level

Smallest living units; individual cells and their organelles.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells performing a common function.

Organ Level

Two or more tissue types working together to perform specific tasks.

Organ System Level

A group of organs that cooperate to accomplish a common purpose.

Organism

A complete living individual composed of multiple organ systems.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Receptor (Sensor)

Structure that detects changes in the internal or external environment.

Control Center

Brain or spinal cord area that processes information and determines response.

Effector

Structure that carries out the response to restore balance.

Negative Feedback

Control mechanism that reverses a deviation from set point (e.g., thermoregulation).

Positive Feedback

Control mechanism that amplifies a stimulus (e.g., childbirth, blood clotting).

Nucleus

Organelle that houses DNA and controls cellular activities.

Mitochondria

Organelles that generate ATP; the cell’s powerhouses.

Ribosomes

Sites of protein synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle that modifies, packages, and ships proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing digestive enzymes for intracellular cleanup.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Membranous network with ribosomes; synthesizes and folds proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Membranous network without ribosomes; lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Mitosis

Cell division producing two identical somatic cells.

Meiosis

Cell division producing four genetically unique sex cells.

Superior

Toward the head or above another structure.

Inferior

Away from the head or below another structure.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of origin or attachment.

Distal

Farther from the point of origin or attachment.

Sagittal Plane

Plane dividing the body into left and right parts.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane

Plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Cranial Cavity

Body cavity housing the brain.

Thoracic Cavity

Body cavity containing heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Body cavity containing digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers surfaces and lines cavities; forms glands.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports, protects, and binds (e.g., bone, fat, blood).

Muscle Tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction and movement (skeletal, smooth, cardiac).

Nervous Tissue

Tissue specialized for impulse generation and transmission (neurons).

Exocrine Gland

Gland that secretes products through ducts to an epithelial surface (e.g., sweat).

Endocrine Gland

Gland that releases hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Regeneration

Repair process restoring normal function with original tissue.

Scar Formation (Fibrosis)

Repair process replacing damaged tissue with non-functional fibrous tissue.

Hemostasis/Inflammation Phase

Initial repair stage involving clotting and immune response to stop bleeding and clean debris.

Proliferation Phase

Repair stage where new tissue and blood vessels grow.

Remodeling Phase

Final repair stage where tissue strengthens and matures.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells capable of generating new functional tissue.

Macrophages

Immune cells that remove debris and pathogens during repair.

Fibroblasts

Cells that produce collagen fibers for scar tissue.

Endothelial Cells

Cells lining blood vessels; form new capillaries during healing.