The Human Body: An Orientation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from the lecture on human anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

Study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts.

Gross Anatomy

Study of large structures that are easily observable.

Microscopic Anatomy

Study of structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye and can only be viewed with a microscope.

Physiology

Study of how the body and its parts work or function.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment; a dynamic state of equilibrium necessary for normal body functioning.

Negative Feedback

Mechanism that shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity, commonly used in homeostatic control.

Positive Feedback

Mechanism that increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther, often observed in blood clotting and childbirth.

Directional Terms

Terms that explain the location of one body structure in relation to another.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure; above.

Inferior

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure; below.

Ventral

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Dorsal

Toward or at the back side of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side.

Proximal

Close to the origin of a body part or point of attachment to a limb.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb.

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Sagittal Section

Divides the body into left and right parts.

Transverse Section

Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Body Cavities

Hollow spaces within the body that house organs and provide protection.

Thoracic Cavity

Cavity superior to the diaphragm, housing the heart, lungs, and other organs.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Cavity inferior to the diaphragm, containing abdominal and pelvic organs.

Integumentary System

• Function: Forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissue from injury, and synthesizes Vitamin D.

• Structure: Cutaneous membrane.

• Organs: Skin, hair, nails, and sweat/oil glands.

Skeletal System

• Function: Protects and supports body organs, provides a framework for muscles to cause movement, and handles blood cell formation (hematopoiesis).
• Structure: Bones, cartilages, and ligaments.
• Organs: All bones and joints of the body.

Muscular System

• Function: Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, facial expression, maintains posture, and produces heat.
• Structure: Myofibrils and connective tissue coverings.
• Organs: Skeletal muscles.

Nervous System

• Function: Acts as the fast-acting control system of the body; responds to internal and external changes by activating muscles and glands.

• Structure: Central and peripheral networks of neurons.

• Organs: Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors.

Endocrine System

• Function: Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism).

• Structure: Specialized epithelial and neural tissues forming ductless glands.

• Organs: Pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, pineal, thymus, and gonads.

Cardiovascular System

• Function: Blood vessels transport blood, which carries oxygen (O{2}), carbon dioxide (CO{2}), nutrients, and wastes (urea).

• Structure: A closed circulatory loop.

• Organs: Heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic System

• Function: Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood; disposes of debris; houses white blood cells for immunity.

• Structure: Lymphatic vessels and lymphoid tissues.

• Organs: Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils.

Respiratory System

• Function: Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen (O{2}) and removes carbon dioxide (CO{2}).

• Structure: Passageways for air and specialized exchange surfaces (alveoli).

• Organs: Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Digestive System

• Function: Breaks food down into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells; eliminates indigestible waste.

• Structure: Alimentary canal and accessory organs.

• Organs: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, and pancreas.

Urinary System

• Function: Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body; regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

• Structure: Tubular system for filtration and excretion.

• Organs: Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Reproductive System

• Function: Production of offspring.

• Structure: Internal and external genitalia.

• Organs: Testes and duct system (Male); Ovaries, uterine tubes, and uterus (Female).