Introduction to Anatomy/Physiology - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and location of body parts—the what and where of the body.

Physiology

The science of how living systems function—the processes and mechanisms of life.

Gross anatomy

Anatomical structures visible to the naked eye.

Microscopic anatomy

Anatomical structures visible only with a microscope.

Rostral

Toward the tip of the nose; in quadrupeds toward the face.

Caudal

Toward the tail; in humans toward the posterior.

Cranial

Toward the head.

Dorsal

Toward the back; upper side.

Ventral

Toward the belly; front side.

Proximal

Toward the center of the body or a point of origin.

Distal

Away from the center of the body or origin.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Axial

Relating to the axis of the body.

Abaxial

Away from the axis.

Palmar

Palmar surface of the forelimb; bottom of the front limb (from the carpal joints distally).

Plantar

Plantar surface of the hindlimb; bottom of the hind limb (from the tarsal joints distally).

Median plane

Divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right halves that are not necessarily equal.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into cranial and caudal sections (or proximal/distal in limbs).

Dorsal plane

Divides the body into dorsal and ventral sections.

Endocrine glands

Glands without ducts that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Exocrine glands

Glands with ducts that secrete onto epithelial surfaces.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue of tightly packed cells that line surfaces and cavities; roles include protection, absorption, secretion, and sensation.

Simple squamous

Single layer of flat cells; diffusion/filtration; lines air sacs and vessels.

Simple cuboidal

Single layer of cube-shaped cells; secretion and absorption; kidney tubules.

Simple columnar

Single layer of tall cells; absorption/secretion; often ciliated in airways or non-ciliated in digestive tract.

Pseudostratified columnar

Cells of varying height; appears layered; often ciliated; lines upper respiratory tract; secretes mucus.

Stratified squamous

Multiple layers; protective barrier; lines mouth, esophagus, skin.

Stratified cuboidal

Two or more layers; protective; glands (sweat, salivary, mammary).

Stratified columnar

Two or more layers; lining for pharynx and ducts; protective; secretes fluids.

Transitional epithelium

Epithelium that stretches; found in bladder and ureter.

Connective tissue

Tissue that connects, supports, binds, or fills; characterized by extracellular matrix.

Elastic tissue

Tissue with elastic fibers that recoil after stretching.

Collagenous tissue

Dense collagenous fibers providing tensile strength.

Dense regular connective tissue

Fibers arranged in parallel; high tensile strength; forms tendons/ligaments.

Dense irregular connective tissue

Fibers in multiple directions; resists stress from many directions.

Areolar tissue

Loose connective tissue; cushioning and flexibility; widely distributed.

Reticular tissue

Net-like scaffold of reticular fibers; supports lymphoid organs, bone marrow, liver, kidneys.

Adipose tissue

Fat tissue; adipocytes store fat; nucleus pushed to the side as fat accumulates.

Cartilage

Firm connective tissue; chondrocytes; softer than bone; provides support and cushioning.

Hyaline cartilage

Glass-like cartilage covering joint surfaces (articular cartilage).

Elastic cartilage

Cartilage with elastic fibers; example: ear.

Fibrocartilage

Tough cartilage in intervertebral discs and certain joints.

Bone

Rigid connective tissue composed of collagen, calcium, and phosphorus; functions include protection, structure, movement, blood cell production, and mineral storage.

Osteocyte

Bone cell embedded in bone matrix; coordinates with osteoblasts/osteoclasts.

Skeletal muscle

Striated, multinucleated; voluntary; attached to bones; facilitates movement.

Smooth muscle

Non-striated, spindle-shaped cells; involuntary; found in vessels and hollow organs.

Cardiac muscle

Striated, branched, single-nucleated; involuntary; makes up the heart.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that coordinates and controls body activities; composed of neurons.

Neuron

Nerve cell; basic unit of the nervous system; transmits electrical impulses.

Potential spaces

Anatomical regions where two membranes are normally pressed together with a thin fluid layer; no real gap under normal conditions.

Pleural cavity

Potential space between visceral and parietal pleura around the lungs.

Pericardial cavity

Potential space between parietal and visceral pericardium around the heart.

Peritoneal cavity

Potential space between parietal and visceral peritoneum in the abdomen.

Subdural space

Potential space between dura mater and arachnoid mater in the skull/spine.

Hierarchy of life sciences

Atoms → Molecules → Genes → Organelles → Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ systems → Organisms → Populations → Ecosystems.

Systematic Anatomy

An instructional approach focusing on organized study of body systems (naming conventions).