KN 230 Exam I (Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6)

Anatomy

The study of structures in the human body

Physiology

The study of how body parts function together

Scientific method

A systematic and rigorous process by which scientists:

• Examine natural events (or phenomena) through observation

• Develop a hypothesis (possible explanation) for explaining these phenomena

• Experiment and test the hypothesis through the collection of data

• Determine if the data support the hypothesis, or if the hypothesis needs to be rejected or modified

Microscopic anatomy

• Anatomy that examines structures that cannot be seen by the unaided eye

• Has several subdivisions with two main divisions: Cytology and histology

Cytology

• The study of body cells and their internal structure

• A type of microscopic anatomy

• Also known as cellular anatomy

Histology

• The study of body tissues

• A type of microscopic anatomy

Gross anatomy

• Anatomy that investigates the structure and relationships of body parts that are visible to the unaided eye, such as the intestines, stomach, brain, heart, and kidneys

• May be approached in several ways: Systemic anatomy, regional anatomy, surface anatomy, comparative anatomy, embryology

Systemic anatomy

A type of gross anatomy that studies the anatomy of each functional body system

Regional anatomy

A type of gross anatomy that examines all of the structures in a particular region of the body as a complete unit

Surface anatomy

A type of gross anatomy that focuses on both superficial anatomic markings and the internal body structures that relate to the skin covering them

Comparative anatomy

A type of gross anatomy that examines the similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species

Embryology

• The study of the origin and development of the organism, from fertilization of the secondary oocyte until birth

• A type of gross anatomy

Pathologic anatomy

Anatomy that examines all anatomic changes resulting from disease

Radiographic anatomy

Anatomy that investigates the relationships among internal structures that may be visualized by specific scanning procedures, such as radiography (x-ray), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Cardiovascular physiology

Physiology that examines the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and blood

Neurophysiology

Physiology that examines how nerve impulses are propagated throughout the nervous system

Respiratory physiology

Physiology that studies how respiratory gases are transferred by gas exchange between the lungs and the blood vessels

Reproductive physiology

Physiology that explores how the regulation of sex hormones can drive the reproductive cycle and influence sex cell production and maturation

Pathophysiology

Physiology that investigates the relationship between the functioning of an organ system and disease or injury to that organ system

Characteristics common to living things

• Organization

• Metabolism

• Growth and development

• Responsiveness

• Regulation

• Reproduction

Metabolism

The sum of all of the chemical reactions that occur within the body

Anabolism

The formation of large, complex molecules from simple molecules

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into simple molecules

Responsiveness

The ability to detect and react to stimuli

Levels of organization in the human body

• Chemical level

• Cellular level

• Tissue level

• Organ level

• Organ system level

• Organismal level

Chemical level

• The simplest level

• Involves atoms and molecules

Atoms

The smallest unit of matter that exhibit the characteristics of an element

Molecule

A chemical structure composed of covalently bonded atoms

Macromolecules

• Large organic molecules

• Ex: Carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins

Biological macromolecules

• Large molecules that form living things

• Four classes: Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and lipids

• Also known as biomolecules

Organelles

• Complex, organized structures in the cytoplasm of a cell with unique characteristic shapes

• Called “little organs”

Cellular level

The level that consists of cells

Cells

The smallest living structures and serve as the basic units of structure and function in organisms

Tissue level

• The level that consists of tissues

• Four major types of tissues: Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous

Tissues

• Groups of similar types of cells performing a common function for the body

• Four major types: Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous

Organ level

The level that is composed of organs

Organ

Composed of two or more tissue types that perform a specific function for the body

Organ system level

The level that contains multiple related organs that work together to coordinate activities and achieve a common function

Organ system

A group of organs working together to coordinate and perform specific function(s)

Organismal level

The highest level of structural organization in the body

Organism

A living being

Organ systems of the human body

• Integumentary system

• Skeletal system

• Muscular system

• Nervous system

• Endocrine system

• Cardiovascular system

• Lymphatic system

• Respiratory system

• Urinary system

• Digestive system

• Reproductive system

Human microbiome

The total collection of microorganisms (i.e., bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, and protists) residing on and within the body

Anatomic position

• An individual standing upright with the feet parallel and flat on the floor, the upper limbs are at the sides of the body, and the palms face anteriorly (toward the front)

• The head is level, and the eyes look forward toward the observer

Section

An actual cut or slice to expose the internal anatomy

Plane

An imaginary flat surface passing through the body

Major anatomic planes

• Coronal plane

• Transverse plane

• Midsagittal plane

Coronal plane

• A vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts

• Also known as a frontal plane

Transverse plane

• A plane that divides the body or organ into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts

• Also known as a horizontal plane or cross-sectional plane

Midsagittal plane

• A vertical plane and divides the body or organ into equal left and right halves

• Also known as a median plane

Sagittal plane

A plane that is parallel to the midsagittal plane, but either to the left or right of the midsagittal plane

Oblique planes

Minor planes that pass through a structure at an angle

Anterior

Toward the front of the body

Posterior

Toward the back of the body

Proximal

Near the point of attachment to the trunk

Distal

Far from the point of attachment at the trunk

Dorsal

Toward the back side of the human body

Ventral

Toward the belly side of the human body

Superior

Closer to the head

Inferior

Closer to the feet

Cranial (cephalic)

Toward the head end

Caudal

Toward the rear or tail end

Rostral

Toward the nose or mouth

Medial

Toward the mid-line of the body

Lateral

Away from the mid-line of the body

Ipsilateral

On the same side

Contralateral

On the opposite side

Deep

Closer to the inside, internal to another structure

Superficial

Closer to the outside, external to another structure

Axial region

The region relating to or situated in the central part of the body—the head, neck, and trunk

Appendicular region

The region relating to an appendage or limb

Abdominal

Region inferior to the thorax (chest) and superior to the pelvic brim of the hip bones

Antebrachial

Forearm (the portion of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist)

Antecubital

• Region anterior to the elbow

• Also known as the cubital region

Auricular

Visible surface structures of the ear

Axillary

Armpit

Brachial

Arm (the portion of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow)

Buccal

Cheek

Calcaneal

Heel of the foot

Carpal

Wrist

Cephalic

Head

Cervical

Neck

Cranial

Skull

Crural

Leg (the portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle)

Deltoid

Shoulder

Digital

Fingers or toes (also called phalangeal)

Dorsal/dorsum

Back

Facial

Face

Femoral

Thigh

Fibular

Lateral aspect of the leg

Frontal

Forehead

Gluteal

Buttock

Hallux

Great toe

Hip

Lateral region between trunk and thigh

Inguinal

Groin (sometimes used to indicate the crease between the thigh and the trunk)

Lumbar

The “small of the back”: the inferior part of the back between the ribs and the pelvis

Mammary

Breast

Manus

Hand

Mental

Chin

Nasal

Nose