practical & exam 1

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment within the body; the body’s need for internal balance.

Anatomy

The scientific study of body structure, including the size and shape of body parts.

Physiology

The scientific study of the processes and functions of living organisms.

Structure

The physical form of a body part; structure is related to and determines function.

Structure-function relationship

The principle that a body’s structure is designed to allow it to perform its specific function.

Gross anatomy

The study of body structures that can be seen without a microscope.

Microscopic anatomy

The study of structures that require a microscope to see.

Regional anatomy

The study of the body area by area.

Systemic anatomy

The study of the body system by system.

Surface anatomy

The study of the external body surface to understand or visualize deeper structures.

Cellular anatomy

The study of the structure of individual cells.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Medical imaging

The use of technology to view structures inside the body without surgery.

X-ray

A form of electromagnetic radiation used to create a 2D image called a radiograph; especially useful for viewing bones and fractures.

Radiograph

A 2D image produced using X-rays.

Ultrasound

Imaging that uses sound waves that enter the body, bounce back, and create an image called a sonogram.

Sonogram

The image produced by ultrasound.

CT scan (computed tomography)

Imaging that uses multiple X-rays and a computer to create detailed cross-sectional/3D images of the body.

Contrast medium

A substance given during some imaging procedures to make certain structures easier to see.

Angiography

Imaging that uses contrast to visualize blood vessels and detect problems such as blockages, aneurysms, or ruptures.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Imaging that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of organs and tissues.

PET scan (positron emission tomography)

Imaging that uses a radioactive form of glucose to detect metabolic activity in cells.

Metabolic activity

The chemical activity of cells, including how cells use and break down energy sources such as glucose.

Barium swallow

A procedure using barium and X-rays to make structures of the gastrointestinal tract easier to see.

Physiology

The study of how the body responds to stimuli and maintains stable internal conditions.

Cell physiology

The study of the functions and processes of cells.

Systemic physiology

The study of the functions of organ systems.

Neurophysiology

The study of the functions of the nervous system.

Cardiovascular physiology

The study of the functions of the heart and blood vessels.

Pathology

The study of structural and functional changes caused by disease.

Exercise physiology

The study of how the body responds and adapts to exercise; demonstrates the relationship between anatomy and physiology.

Chemical level

The lowest level of organization; atoms and molecules make up the body.

Cellular level

The level of organization made of cells; the cell is the smallest basic unit of life.

Organelle

A structure inside a cell that performs a specific function.

Tissue level

The level of organization in which similar cells work together to perform a function.

Tissue

A group of similar cells working together with a common structure and function.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms barriers.

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports, connects, protects, or binds other tissues and organs.

Muscle tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction and movement.

Nervous tissue

Tissue specialized for communication and control.

Organ level

The level of organization in which two or more tissue types work together to perform a specific function.

Organ

A structure made of two or more tissue types working together to perform a specific function.

Organ system level

The level of organization in which multiple organs work together to perform related functions.

Organ system

A group of organs working together to perform related functions.

Organism

The highest level of organization; an individual living thing made of organ systems.

Organization

A characteristic of life in which parts of an organism have specific relationships and functions.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions in the body; includes breaking molecules apart and building molecules.

Responsiveness

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.

Growth

An increase in the size of an organism or an increase in the number of cells.

Development

Changes in an organism over time.

Differentiation

The process by which cells change from general/unspecialized cells into specialized cells.

Stem cell

An undifferentiated cell that has not yet become a specific cell type.

Morphogenesis

The change in the shape of tissues and organs during development.

Reproduction

The formation of new cells or organisms; allows genes to be passed on.

Virus

A nonliving infectious particle that cannot reproduce on its own and must use a host cell to make more viruses.

Set point

The ideal normal value for a variable that the body tries to maintain.

Normal range

The range of values around a set point that the body can normally tolerate.

Variable

A condition or value in the body that can fluctuate around a set point.

Feedback loop

A mechanism that detects a change and produces a response to help regulate a variable.

Receptor

A structure that detects a stimulus or change in a variable.

Control center

The part of a feedback system that receives information from a receptor, compares it to the set point, and sends instructions to an effector.

Effector

A structure that carries out the response directed by the control center.

Negative feedback

A feedback mechanism that reverses a change in a variable and returns it toward the set point; the most common type of feedback.

Positive feedback

A feedback mechanism that increases or reinforces a change until the original stimulus is removed.

Stimulus

A change in a variable that is detected by a receptor.

Axial region

The head, neck, and trunk of the body.

Appendicular region

The arms and legs, or appendages, of the body.

Surface anatomy

The study of the body’s external landmarks and regions.

Anatomical position

Standing erect, facing forward, feet slightly separated, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Right

The subject’s right side, not the observer’s right side.

Left

The subject’s left side, not the observer’s left side.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior

Toward the feet or lower part of the body.

Cephalic

Toward the head.

Caudal

Toward the tail or lower end of the body.

Medial

Toward the body’s midline.

Lateral

Away from the body’s midline.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or axis of the body.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or axis of the body.

Ventral

Toward the front of the body.

Dorsal

Toward the back of the body.

Superficial

Toward or at the body’s surface.

Deep

Away from the body’s surface; more internal.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body.

Visceral

Related to or located toward an internal organ.

Parietal

Related to or located toward the outer wall of a body cavity.

Afferent

Toward the brain or central nervous system.

Efferent

Away from the brain or central nervous system.

Supine

Lying on the back with the face upward.

Prone

Lying on the front with the face downward.

Sagittal plane

A plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into equal right and left portions.

Parasagittal plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into unequal right and left portions.

Frontal plane

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

Coronal plane

A frontal plane used especially when describing a cut through the head.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Oblique plane

A plane that cuts the body at an angle.