AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN BODY

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the video notes.

Anatomy

The science of the body's structures and relationships.

Physiology

The science of body functions.

Imaging techniques

Methods used to visualize the form and function of the body.

Form

The physical structure or arrangement of body parts.

Function

The role or action of a body part or system.

Chemical level

The lowest level of structural organization, including atoms and molecules.

Cellular level

Level that includes cells and their substructures.

Tissue level

Level consisting of groups of similar cells performing a common function.

Organ level

Level made of two or more tissues that form a structure with a specific function.

System level

Organs working together as a system to perform broad bodily tasks.

Integumentary system

Protective outer covering, including skin, hair, and nails.

Skeletal system

Bones and joints that support, protect, and give shape to the body.

Muscular system

Muscles that produce movement and help maintain posture.

Nervous system

Brain, spinal cord, and nerves that coordinate body activities.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones regulating body processes.

Cardiovascular system

Heart and blood vessels that transport blood throughout the body.

Lymphatic system

Lymphatic vessels and nodes that return fluid and support immunity.

Respiratory system

Lungs and air passages; exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Digestive system

Mouth-to-anus tract; processes food and absorbs nutrients.

Urinary system

Kidneys and bladder; excretes wastes and helps regulate fluids.

Reproductive system

Organs involved in producing offspring.

Inspection

Observation of the body as part of a physical examination.

Palpation

Touching with hands to feel texture, temperature, and tenderness.

Auscultation

Listening to body sounds with a stethoscope.

Percussion

Tapping on the body to hear sound characteristics.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical processes in the body.

Catabolism

Breakdown of complex chemical substances.

Anabolism

Build-up of complex chemical substances.

Responsiveness

The body’s ability to detect and respond to changes.

Movement

Motion of the body, organs, or cells.

Growth

Increase in body size; growth in cell number, size, or materials.

Differentiation

Development of a cell from unspecialized to specialized.

Reproduction (life process)

Formation of new cells for growth, repair, or replacement.

Homeostasis

Dynamic balance; condition of equilibrium in the body's internal environment.

Receptor

Body structure that monitors changes in a controlled condition and sends input to the control center.

Control center

Brain; sets the range of values to be maintained and evaluates input.

Effector

Receives output from the control center and brings about a change.

Stimulus

Disrupts homeostasis by increasing or decreasing a controlled condition.

Feedback system

Three components (receptor, control center, effector) that maintain homeostasis.

Negative feedback

Reverses a change in a controlled condition.

Positive feedback

Strengthens or reinforces a change in a controlled condition.

Anatomical position

Standardized posture for observing/imaging: standing erect, facing observer, palms forward, feet flat.

Prone

Body lying face down.

Supine

Body lying face up.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior

Away from the head; toward the lower part.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the sides.

Proximal

Near the center

Distal

Away from center

Dynamic condition

Always changing

Intracellular fluid

Fluid within cells

Extracellular fluid

Fluid outside of cells

Antecubital

In front of the elbow

Antebrachial

Forearm

Crural

Leg

Pedal

Foot

Tarsal

Ankle

Patellar

Anterior surface of the knee

Auricle or otic

Ear

Mental

Chin

Umbilical

Navel

Manual

Hand

Dorsum

Top of foot

Sternal

Breastbone

Scapular

Shoulder blade

Occipital

Base of skull

Vertebral

Spinal column

Olecranon or cubital

Back of elbow

Sacral

Between hips

Perineal

Region of anus and external genitals

Post literal

Hollow behind knee

sural

Calf

Plantar

Sole

Cephalic

Head

Lumbar

Loin

Dorsum

Back of hand