Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical subdivisions, physiological principles, homeostasis, and organ systems based on Chapter 1 of Human Anatomy & Physiology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another (derived from ana meaning up and tomy meaning cut).

Physiology

The study of the function of body parts and how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities (derived from phusis meaning nature and logos meaning study).

Gross (Macroscopic) Anatomy

The subdivision of anatomy concerned with the study of large, visible structures.

Regional Anatomy

A subdivision of gross anatomy that examines all structures in a particular area of the body.

Systemic Anatomy

A subdivision of gross anatomy that looks at just one system at a time (such as cardiovascular, nervous, or muscular).

Microscopic Anatomy

The subdivision of anatomy that deals with structures too small to be seen by the naked eye.

Cytology

The microscopic study of cells.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Developmental Anatomy

The branch of anatomy studying anatomical and physiological development throughout life.

Embryology

A subdivision of developmental anatomy that studies developments occurring before birth.

Standard Anatomical Position

The standard body position where the body is erect, feet slightly apart, and palms face forward with thumbs pointing away from the body.

Homeostasis

The state in which the body maintains relatively constant internal conditions within an acceptable range of variations (dynamic equilibrium).

Negative Feedback Mechanism

The most common homeostatic feedback mechanism in the body, in which the response reduces or shuts off the original stimulus, driving the variable in the opposite direction of the initial change.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

A homeostatic mechanism in which the response enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus, causing the variable to continue in the same direction as the initial change.

Receptor (Homeostatic Control)

A sensor that detects changes or stimuli in a regulated variable and sends input along an afferent pathway to the control center.

Control Center (Homeostatic Control)

The component of a homeostatic control system that processes incoming information from a receptor and sends output along an efferent pathway to an effector.

Effector (Homeostatic Control)

The component of a homeostatic control system that receives output from the control center and provides the response that alters the stimulus.

Catabolism

The metabolic pathway involving the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones.

Anabolism

The metabolic pathway involving the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones.

Contractility

The capability of muscle tissues or cells to produce movement at the cellular level.

Integumentary System

The organ system that forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissues from injury, synthesizes vitamin D, and houses cutaneous receptors and sweat/oil glands.

Skeletal System

The organ system that protects and supports body organs, provides a framework for muscle movement, forms blood cells within bones, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

The organ system that allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression, maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous System

The fast-acting control system of the body that responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

The system consisting of glands that secrete hormones regulating processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.

Cardiovascular System

The organ system in which blood vessels transport blood (carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes) and the heart pumps blood.

Lymphatic System/Immunity

The organ system that picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood, disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream, and houses lymphocytes involved in immunity.

Respiratory System

The organ system that keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide through the walls of the air sacs in the lungs.

Digestive System

The organ system that breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells, and eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces.

Urinary System

The organ system that eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body and regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

Structural Levels of Organization

The hierarchical arrangement of the human body ranging from chemical level to cellular level, tissue level, organ level, organ system level, and organismal level.