Anatomy and Physiology Lecture Notes

A set of practice flashcards covering the introductory concepts of Anatomy and Physiology, including subspecialties, levels of organization, homeostasis, anatomical terminology, body cavities, and medical imaging techniques.

What is the distinction between anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy is the study of body structure (the science of structure), while physiology is the study of body functions (the science of body functions).

According to the principle of 'structure mirrors function,' what is the primary role of the liver?

Filtering blood and producing bile.

What is the specific focus of embryology?

The study of the first eight weeks of development after fertilization.

What is the difference between histology and cytology?

Histology is the study of tissues, while cytology is the study of individual cellular structures.

How is a postmortem examination of the body and internal organs categorized?

An autopsy, performed by a pathologist.

List the levels of organization in the human body from smallest to largest.

Chemical (Atoms and Molecules), Cellular, Tissue, Organ, System, Organism.

What are defined as the basic structural and functional units of an organism?

Cells.

What are the four basic types of tissues found in the human body?

Epithelium, Connective Tissue, Muscle, and Nerves.

What are the six important life processes of the human body?

Metabolism, Responsiveness, Movement, Growth, Differentiation, and Reproduction.

What is the definition of metabolism?

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in body cells, including catabolism and anabolism.

What process involves the development of a cell from an unspecialized to a specialized state?

Differentiation.

What are the five essential survival needs for a human being?

Nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins), Oxygen ($O_2$), Water, Normal body temperature, and Appropriate atmospheric pressure.

How is homeostasis defined?

A condition of equilibrium (balance) in the body's internal environment maintained within a narrow range.

What is the difference between intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF)?

ICF is the fluid within cells, while ECF is fluid outside cells.

Where are the specific extracellular fluids 'Aqueous humor' and 'Synovial fluid' located?

Aqueous humor is in the eyes, and synovial fluid is in the joints.

What are the three basic components of a feedback system?

Receptor, Control center, and Effector.

Contrast negative and positive feedback systems with specific examples.

Negative feedback reverses a change (e.g., regulation of blood pressure), whereas positive feedback strengthens or reinforces a change (e.g., normal childbirth).

Describe the anatomical position.

The subject stands erect facing the observer, head level, eyes forward, feet flat and directed forward, arms at sides, and palms forward.

Define the directional terms 'Proximal' and 'Distal.'

Proximal is nearest to the origination of a structure, and Distal is farther from the origination.

What is the difference between visceral and parietal descriptive terms?

Visceral pertains to a covering over an organ, while parietal pertains to a covering against a cavity wall.

Identify the three major body planes used to separate the body into portions.

Sagittal (midline), Transverse (horizontal), and Frontal (coronal).

What structures are protected by the cranial cavity and the vertebral canal?

The brain is protected by the cranial cavity, and the spinal cord is contained within the vertebral canal.

Which internal organ divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?

The diaphragm.

What organs are contained within the abdominal cavity?

The stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, and small and large intestines.

Name the four abdominopelvic quadrants centered on the umbilicus.

Right upper quadrant (RUQ), Left upper quadrant (LUQ), Right lower quadrant (RLQ), and Left lower quadrant (LLQ).

Which medical imaging technique uses a powerful magnetic field and is used for differentiating normal and abnormal tissues?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

How does a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan function?

It injects a substance emitting positively charged particles; collisions with electrons produce gamma rays to form an image, which is used to study the physiology of body structures (metabolism).

Define the noninvasive diagnostic techniques: palpation, auscultation, and percussion.

Palpation is gently touching body surfaces; auscultation is listening to body sounds (e.g., with a stethoscope); percussion is tapping on body surfaces and listening to echoes.