Anatomy & Physiology Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to anatomy and physiology based on the review notes.

Motor unit

A single somatic motor neuron and all of the muscle fibers it stimulates.

Atrophy

The wasting away of muscle due to lack of use.

Fibrosis

The replacement of skeletal muscle fibers with scar tissue.

Acetylcholine

The neurotransmitter contained in synaptic vesicles of somatic motor neurons.

Excitability

The ability of muscle cells to respond to stimuli and produce electrical signals.

Latent period

A brief delay that occurs between application of a stimulus and the beginning of muscle contraction.

Titin

A regulatory protein that holds troponin in place.

Fascia

Connective tissue that protects and strengthens muscle and has three layers: epimysium, perimysium, endomysium.

Neuromuscular junction (NMJ)

The synapse of a motor neuron with a muscle fiber.

Striated appearance of skeletal muscle

Caused by alternating A-bands and I-bands.

Creatine phosphate

One of the sources of ATP for muscle contraction.

Reverberating circuit

A neuronal circuit that uses feedback to produce repeated, cyclical stimulation.

Microglial cell

The glial cell in the CNS that defends against pathogens.

Axon

The part of a neuron that is the conductive segment, rich in voltage-gated channels.

Somatic sensory division

The division of the nervous system that conducts impulses from the skin and special senses.

Areolar connective tissue

The type of connective tissue that composes the endoneurium.

Fast axonal transport

The axonal transport system that carries vesicles and glycoproteins quickly to the synapse.

Saltatory conduction

Occurs in myelinated axons at neurofibril nodes.

Fulcrums

Bones and joints act as levers and fulcrums in biomechanics.

Deltoid

The primary abductor of the arm.

Mentalis

The muscle that helps you pout your lower lip.

Rotator cuff muscles

The muscle group that stabilizes the shoulder joint.

Triceps brachii

The muscle that acts to extend the forearm.