Human Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the Human Anatomy and Physiology introductory lecture notes, covering organ systems, body planes, tissues, integument, osseous tissue, bone development, axial/appendicular skeleton, and joint classifications.

Anatomy

The study of structure, derived from Greek meaning 'to cut up' or 'to cut open.'

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Integumentary System

Body system that provides protection, regulates body temperature, acts as the site of cutaneous receptors, synthesizes vitamin D, and prevents water loss.

Skeletal System

Body system that provides support and protection, serves as the site of hemopoiesis (blood cell production), stores calcium and phosphorus, and allows for body movement.

Muscular System

Body system that produces body movement, generates heat when muscles contract, and aids in the circulatory system.

Nervous System

A regulatory body system that controls body movement, responds to sensory stimuli, helps control all other systems of the body, and is responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory.

Endocrine System

Body system consisting of glands and cell clusters that secrete hormones to regulate body and cellular growth, chemical levels in the body, and reproductive functions.

Cardiovascular System

Body system consisting of a pump (the heart) and blood vessels that moves blood to distribute cells, hormones, nutrients, and gases, and pick up waste products.

Lymphatic System

Body system that transports and filters lymph (interstitial fluid) and initiates an immune response when necessary.

Respiratory System

Body system responsible for the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between blood and the air in the lungs.

Digestive System

Body system that mechanically and chemically digests food materials, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste products.

Urinary System

Body system that filters the blood, removes waste products from the blood, concentrates waste products in the form of urine, and expels urine from the body.

Male Reproductive System

Body system that produces male sex cells (sperm) and male hormones (e.g., testosterone), and transfers sperm to the female.

Female Reproductive System

Body system that produces female sex cells (oocytes) and female hormones (e.g., estrogen and progesterone), receives sperm from the male, and serves as the site of fertilization, growth, and development of the embryo and fetus.

Midsagittal Plane

A sagittal plane located directly along the midline of the body.

Parasagittal Plane

An anatomical plane that is parallel to the midsagittal plane, positioned to either the left or right of it.

Oblique Plane

A minor anatomical plane that passes through a specimen at an angle.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Four anatomical divisions of the abdomen consisting of the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), and Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ).

Abdominopelvic Regions

Nine anatomical divisions of the abdomen comprising the right/left hypochondriac, epigastric, right/left lumbar, umbilical, right/left inguinal, and hypogastric (pubic) regions.

Avascular

A key characteristic of epithelial tissue meaning it is not penetrated by blood vessels.

Merocrine Glands

Exocrine glands that secrete watery, protein-rich fluids such as saliva and tears.

Apocrine Glands

Exocrine glands that lose small portions of their cell bodies during secretion, such as mammary glands and some sweat glands.

Holocrine Glands

Exocrine glands in which the entire cell lyses during secretion, such as sebaceous glands.

Serous Glands

Glands that produce and secrete a non-viscous, watery fluid such as sweat, tears, or digestive juices.

Mucous Glands

Glands that secrete mucin, which forms mucus when mixed with water.

Mixed Glands

Glands containing both serous and mucous cells that produce a mixture of both types of secretions, such as salivary glands.

Hemopoiesis

The process of blood cell production occurring in red bone marrow.

Osteoprogenitor Cells

Bone stem cells derived from mesenchyme that produce other stem cells and osteoblasts.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that produce new bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells residing inside lacunae.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells involved in bone resorption.

Lacunae

Chambers within calcified bone matrix that contain osteocytes.

Lamellae

Layers of calcified matrix in bone tissue, arranged concentrically, interstitially, or circumferentially.

Canaliculi

Microscopic channels connecting lacunae that permit gas and nutrient diffusion between cells in bone matrix.

Periosteum

A connective tissue layer covering compact bone that provides protection and attachment for blood vessels, nerves, and tendons.

Endosteum

An epithelial tissue layer lining the marrow cavity and covering trabeculae and central canals.

Osteon

The structural unit of compact bone formed by concentric lamellae around a central (Haversian) canal.

Intramembranous Ossification

Bone formation process occurring when mesenchyme thickens in dermal tissue, producing flat bones of the skull, facial bones, mandible, and central clavicle.

Endochondral Ossification

Bone formation process beginning with a hyaline cartilage model that produces most bones of the body including limbs, pelvis, and vertebrae.

Fontanels

Unossified fibrous membrane remnants ('soft spots') between cranial bones in an infant that allow bones to overlap during birth and close by 15 months of age.

Synarthrosis

An immovable joint based on functional classification.

Amphiarthrosis

A slightly movable joint based on functional classification.

Diarthrosis

A freely movable joint based on functional classification.

Fibrous Joint

A structural joint classification where articulating bones are held together by dense regular connective tissue without a joint cavity.

Cartilaginous Joint

A structural joint classification where bones are joined by cartilage without a joint cavity.

Synovial Joint

A freely movable diarthrotic joint characterized by an articular capsule, fluid-filled joint cavity, articular cartilage, and supporting ligaments.

Gomphosis

A specific fibrous joint (synarthrosis) connecting a tooth root to the alveolar process of the mandible or maxilla via periodontal ligaments.

Sutures

Immovable fibrous joints (synarthroses) formed by dense regular connective tissue that seal cranial bones firmly together.

Syndesmosis

A fibrous joint where articulating bones are joined by ligaments only (e.g., interosseous membrane), classified functionally as an amphiarthrosis.

Synchondrosis

A cartilaginous joint containing hyaline cartilage (e.g., epiphyseal plates, costochondral joints), classified functionally as a synarthrosis.

Symphysis

A cartilaginous joint containing fibrocartilage (e.g., pubic symphysis, intervertebral discs), classified functionally as an amphiarthrosis.

Bursae

Fibrous, saclike structures lined by a synovial membrane and containing synovial fluid that cushion and reduce friction in joints.