Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Concepts

Anatomy

The study of the physical structure of the body and organs.

Physiology

The science of the function of cells, tissues, and organs.

Medial

Towards the midline.

Proximal

Nearest the point of attachment.

Distal

Farthest from the point of attachment.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Anterior (Frontal, Ventral)

Towards the front.

Superior

Above the transverse plane.

Cranial

Towards the head.

Inferior

Below the transverse plane.

Caudal

Towards the tail or feet.

Posterior

Towards the back.

Midsagittal

Midline, left or right side.

Diaphragm

A large dome-shaped muscle that divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The abdominal and pelvic cavities combined.

Stomach

An organ of the abdomen.

Small intestine

Divided into three parts: Duodenum, Jejunum, and Ilium.

Large intestine

Includes ascending, transverse, and descending sections.

Liver

An organ of the abdomen.

Spleen

An organ of the abdomen.

Pancreas

An organ of the abdomen.

Gallbladder

An organ of the abdomen.

Appendix

An organ of the abdomen.

Quadrants of the abdomen

Divided into right/left upper quadrants and right/left lower quadrants.

Nine regions of the abdomen

Include Epigastric, Umbilical, Hypogastric, Right/Left hypochondriac, Right/Left lumbar, Right/Left iliac or inguinal.

Atoms and Molecules

Make up all matter.

Molecules

Atoms of more than two elements that are chemically merged.

Elements

Substances in their simplest forms.

Natural elements

92 elements that occur naturally.

Man-made elements

13 elements that are artificially created.

Biochemistry

The study of chemical reactions in the body.

Compounds

Elements combined to make new substances.

Acid Compound

Positively charged ions of hydrogen and negatively charged ions of other elements.

Base compound (alkali)

Negatively charged hydroxide ions and ions of a metal.

Cell

The basic building block of the human body.

Cytoplasm

Semisolid fluid within the membrane where chemical reactions occur.

Cell membrane

Separates the cell from the surrounding environment.

Nucleus

Serves as the cell's brain for the control of the cell's metabolic activities and cell divisions.

Mitochondria

Often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, generating the majority of ATP.

Mitochondria

The power house of the cell, where energy is supplied from.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures that synthesize proteins.

Centriole

Provide spindle fibers for attaching chromosomes during cellular division.

Lysosomes

Serves as the center of cellular digestion.

Chromosomes

Structures located within the nucleus that store hereditary material.

Human Chromosome Count

Each human has 23 pairs of chromosomes.

Sex Chromosomes

The 23rd pair of chromosomes; XY = Male, XX = Female.

Genes

Segments of DNA that determine traits, with unique arrangements in each individual.

Mitosis

The division of cells controlled by the nucleus.

Diffusion

The process where gas, solids, or liquids are distributed evenly through a medium from higher to lower concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water or another solvent through a selectively permeable membrane.

Filtration

Movement of solutes and water across a semipermeable membrane due to forces like gravity or blood pressure.

Hypotonic

A solution where cells shrink due to low external solute concentration.

Hypertonic

A solution with excess fluid, often resulting in high blood pressure.

Isotonic

A solution where everything is at a normal level.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules across a membrane from low to high concentration.

Phagocytosis

The process where white blood cells engulf bacteria and damaged cells.

Pinocytosis

The process where cells engulf large molecules or liquid materials.

Homeostasis

The stable condition of the internal environment of the body.

Dehydration

A condition resulting from a lack of water.

Edema

A condition characterized by swelling due to excess fluid.

Tissue Classifications

Epithelial, connective, nerve, and muscle tissues.

Epithelial Tissues

Tissues that form the body's glands and cover the body surface.

Connective Tissues

Tissues that form the supporting structure of the body.

Nerve Tissue

Tissue that serves as the body's communication network.

Voluntary Muscle Tissue

Muscle tissue that can be controlled at will, connected to bones.

Involuntary Muscle

Muscle actions that occur without conscious control.

Mutation

A change in the genetic code caused by loss, rearrangement, or error in DNA.

Dominant Gene

A dominant gene expresses its trait with just one copy. For instance, if brown eyes (B) are dominant and blue eyes (b) are recessive, a person with one brown eye gene and one blue eye gene (Bb) will have brown eyes, as the dominant gene (B) masks the recessive one (b).

Recessive Gene

A recessive gene only expresses its trait when two copies are present, meaning an individual must inherit the gene from both parents for the trait to be observed.

Carriers

Individuals who possess one dominant and one recessive gene.

X-linked Traits

Traits determined by genes carried on the X chromosome.

Multifactorial Traits

Traits influenced by several genes and environmental factors.

Chromosomal Abnormalities

Results from excess or deficit of genetic materials.

Human Genome Project

A project that analyzed human genetic structure to locate disease-causing genes.