Chapter 01 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from Chapter 01 lecture notes on Hole's Human Anatomy and Physiology (16th edition).

Anatomy

The study of the structure/morphology of the human body and its parts; derived from Greek for 'a cutting up'.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the human body and its parts; derived from Greek for 'relationship to nature'.

Cellular Differentiation

Specialization of cells due to gene expression.

Growth

Increase in cell number and size and increase in body size.

Reproduction

Production of new cells and organisms.

Responsiveness

Reaction to a change inside or outside of the body.

Movement

Change in body position or location; motion of internal organs.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in a living system: energy production and nutrient cycling.

Respiration

Making energy; most organisms do it by taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide.

Digestion

Breaking down food into usable nutrients for absorption into the blood.

Circulation

Moving chemicals and cells through the body fluids.

Excretion

Removing waste products.

Atmospheric Pressure

Application of force on an object that is important for breathing.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Application of force on an object that keeps blood flowing.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Homeostatic Mechanisms

Self-regulating systems that monitor aspects of the internal environment and correct them as needed.

Receptor

Component of a homeostatic mechanism that detects and provides information about the stimuli.

Control Center

Decision-maker in a homeostatic mechanism that maintains the set point.

Effector

Muscle or gland that responds to the control center, and causes the necessary change in the internal environment.

Negative Feedback

Most common type of homeostatic mechanism where effectors return conditions toward normal range, and the deviation from set point lessens.

Positive Feedback

Uncommon feedback mechanism in the body where the change/deviation is intensified, instead of reversed.

Feed Forward Mechanism

A homeostatic control system in which the anticipatory effect that one intermediate exerts on another intermediate further along in the pathway allows the system to anticipate changes in a regulated variable.

Axial Portion

Main portion of the human body consisting of the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

Main portion of the human body consisting of the upper and lower limbs.

Cranial Cavity

Major cavity of the axial portion that houses the brain.

Vertebral Canal

Spinal cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Major axial cavity that houses the lungs and thoracic viscera.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Major axial cavity containing abdominal and pelvic viscera.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Mediastinum

Region between lungs in thoracic cavity, which contains heart, esophagus, trachea, and thymus gland.

Abdominal Cavity

Cavity extending from diaphragm to top of pelvis, containing stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, and most of large intestine.

Pelvic Cavity

Cavity enclosed by pelvic bones, containing end of large intestine, urinary bladder, and internal reproductive organs.

Serous Membranes

Double-layered membranes lining thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities that secrete serous fluid to prevent friction.

Visceral Layer

Inner layer of a serous membrane, which covers an organ.

Parietal Layer

Outer layer of a serous membrane, which lines wall of cavity.

Integumentary System

Organ system comprising skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands; protects tissues, regulates body temperature, and supports sensory receptors.

Skeletal System

Organ system comprising bones, ligaments, and cartilages; provides framework, protects soft tissues, provides attachments for muscles, produces blood cells, and stores inorganic salts.

Muscular System

Organ system comprising muscles; causes movements, maintains posture, and produces body heat.

Nervous System

Organ system comprising brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sense organs; detects changes, receives and interprets sensory information, and stimulates muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Organ system comprising glands that secrete hormones; controls metabolic activities of body structures.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system comprising heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins; moves blood through blood vessels and transports substances throughout body.

Lymphatic System

Organ system comprising lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, thymus, and spleen; returns tissue fluid to the blood, carries certain absorbed food molecules, and defends the body against infection.

Digestive System

Organ system comprising mouth, tongue, teeth, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small and large intestines; receives, breaks down, and absorbs food, and eliminates unabsorbed material.

Respiratory System

Organ system comprising nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs; handles intake and output of air, and exchange of gases between air and blood.

Urinary System

Organ system comprising kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; removes wastes from blood, maintains water and electrolyte balance, stores and eliminates urine.

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing forward, upper limbs at the sides, palms facing forward.

Superior

Relative position term meaning above or a part above another part.

Inferior

Relative position term meaning below or a part below another part.

Anterior (Ventral)

Relative position term meaning toward the front.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Relative position term meaning toward the back.

Medial

Relative position term meaning toward the midline.

Lateral

Relative position term meaning away from midline.

Bilateral

Relative position term referring to paired structures; on both sides.

Ipsilateral

Relative position term referring to structures on the same side.

Contralateral

Relative position term referring to structures on opposite sides.

Proximal

Relative position term meaning close to point of attachment to trunk.

Distal

Relative position term meaning farther from point of attachment to trunk.

Superficial

Relative position term meaning close to body surface.

Deep

Relative position term meaning more internal.

Median (Midsagittal) Plane

Lengthwise cut that divides the body into equal right and left portions.

Parasagittal Plane

Section lateral to midline.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

A cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A cut that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Cross Section

A cut across a cylindrical structure.

Oblique Section

An angular cut across a cylindrical structure.

Longitudinal Section

A lengthwise cut along a cylindrical structure.