Anatomy & Physiology I - Chapter 1 Flashcards

Flashcards for Anatomy and Physiology I, Chapter 1, covering key vocabulary and concepts.

Anatomy

Study of structure (morphology) of the body parts, shapes and arrangements.

Physiology

Study of function of body parts, and how they work and interact.

Gross Anatomy

Study of the large structures & organs in the body.

Microscopic Anatomy

Study of the small structures of the body, that can only be seen through a microscope.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Cytology

Study of cells.

Ultrastructure

Study of minute structures of the body, such as cells and their components, that can be seen through an electron microscope.

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, often 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.

Homeostasis

Maintaining of a stable internal environment.

Set Point

Normal level the body tries to maintain for each variable (temperature, chemical concentration, etc.).

Receptor

Provides information about the stimuli as part of a homeostatic control mechanism.

Control Center

Tells what a set point should be as part of a homeostatic control mechanism.

Effector

Elicits responses that change conditions in the internal environment as part of a homeostatic control mechanism.

Cranial Cavity

Cavity that holds the brain.

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

Chamber that holds spinal cord.

Mediastinum

Central region in the chest (holds heart, trachea, esophagus).

Pleural Cavities

Compartment that surrounds the lungs.

Pericardial Cavity

Compartment that surrounds the heart.

Abdominal Cavity

Upper portion of the abdominopelvic cavity (stomach, liver, spleen, intestines).

Pelvic Cavity

Lower part of the abdominopelvic cavity (end of large intestines, bladder, internal reproductive organs).

Parietal Layer

Outer layer of a serous membrane, lines a cavity or body wall.

Visceral Layer

Inner layer of a serous membrane, covers surface of internal organ.

Pleural Membranes

Double-layered membrane around the lungs.

Pericardial Membrane

Membrane that surrounds heart in thorax.

Peritoneal Membrane

Double-layered membrane around abdominal organs.

Superior/Cranial

Above; closer to head.

Inferior/Caudal

Below, closer to feet. Opposite to superior.

Anterior /Ventral

In front of.

Posterior/Dorsal

In back of. Opposite of anterior/ventral.

Medial

Closer to midline of body, if body were divided into left & right halves.

Lateral

Farther from midline of body, if body were divided into left & right halves.

Proximal

Closer to trunk of body, or to a stated point of reference (closer to point of attachment).

Distal

Farther from trunk of body (in terms of attachment points), or from a point or reference.

Superficial/Peripheral

Closer to surface of body.

Deep

More internal than; farther from the surface of the body than.

Sagittal or Median Plane

Divides body into left and right portions.

Mid-sagittal Plane

Divides body into equal left and right portions.

Transverse or Horizontal Plane

Divides body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) portions.

Coronal or Frontal Plane

Divides body into anterior and posterior (front and back) portions.

Abdominal Region

Anterior body trunk, inferior to the ribs.

Antecubital Region

Anterior surface of the elbow.

Axillary Region

Armpit area.

Brachial Region

Arm area.

Buccal Region

Cheek area.