Anatomy and Physiology – Introductory Lecture

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the introductory Anatomy and Physiology lecture, including subspecialties, organizational levels, life processes, tissues, feedback mechanisms, body systems, anatomical terminology, body cavities, abdominopelvic regions, quadrants, planes, and basic movements.

Anatomy

The science of body structures and the relationships among them, traditionally studied by dissection.

Physiology

The science of body functions—how body parts work individually and together.

Embryology

Study of development during the first eight weeks after fertilization.

Developmental Biology

Study of an individual’s complete development from fertilization to death.

Cell Biology

Study of cellular structures and their functions.

Histology

Microscopic study of tissues.

Surface Anatomy

Study of surface markings to understand internal structures via observation and palpation.

Gross Anatomy

Study of structures visible without a microscope.

Systemic Anatomy

Study of specific body systems (e.g., nervous, respiratory).

Regional Anatomy

Study of specific body regions (e.g., head, chest).

Radiographic Anatomy

Study of internal structures using imaging techniques such as X-ray, MRI, or CT.

Pathological Anatomy

Study of structural changes associated with disease.

Neurophysiology

Study of functional properties of nerve cells.

Endocrinology

Study of hormones and their control of body functions.

Cardiovascular Physiology

Study of heart and blood‐vessel functions.

Immunology

Study of the body’s defenses against disease-causing agents.

Respiratory Physiology

Study of functions of air passageways and lungs.

Renal Physiology

Study of kidney functions.

Exercise Physiology

Study of cellular and organ changes due to muscular activity.

Pathophysiology

Study of functional changes associated with disease and aging.

Chemical Level

The simplest level of organization; consists of atoms and molecules.

Atom

Smallest unit of matter that participates in chemical reactions.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Cellular Level

Level where molecules combine to form cells, the basic structural and functional units.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells plus surrounding material performing a common function.

Organ Level

Level where two or more tissue types combine to form structures with specific functions.

System Level

Group of related organs with a common function (e.g., digestive system).

Organism Level

All body parts working together to constitute a living individual.

Excretion

Elimination of metabolic wastes and non-useful materials from the body.

Homeostasis

The ability of the body or a cell to seek and maintain a condition of equilibrium or stability within its internal environment when dealing with external changes.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical processes in the body.

Catabolism

Metabolic breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones.

Anabolism

Metabolic building of complex substances from simpler components.

Responsiveness

Ability to detect and respond to internal or external changes.

Movement

Motion of the whole body, organs, cells, or intracellular structures.

Growth and Development

defined as an increase in mass. It is made possible by a set of processes that involve the intake of substances from the external environment and incorporating these into the inner structure of the organism

Differentiation

Process by which unspecialized cells become specialized.

Reproduction

Formation of new cells for growth/repair or production of a new individual.

Nutrition

Intake and assimilation of materials for growth and maintenance.

Heterotroph

Organism (e.g., humans) that obtains nutrients by consuming other organisms.

Autotroph

Organism that produces its own food, typically via photosynthesis.

Muscular Tissue

Tissue that contracts to move body parts and generate heat.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that carries information through nerve impulses.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports, protects, and connects body organs.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

Feedback that intensifies or enhances the original stimulus; relatively rare.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

Feedback that reverses the original stimulus to maintain homeostasis; most common.

Integumentary System

Composed of skin, hair, nails, and glands; protects body and regulates temperature.

Skeletal System

Bones, joints, and cartilages that support, protect, and store minerals; site of blood-cell production.

Muscular System

Skeletal muscles that produce movement, maintain posture, and generate heat.

Nervous System

Brain, spinal cord, nerves; generates nerve impulses to regulate body activities.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels; transports gases, nutrients, wastes, and helps regulate pH and temperature.

Respiratory System

Lungs and air passageways; gas exchange and pH regulation.

Digestive System

Organs that break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate solid waste.

Urinary System

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra; removes wastes and regulates blood volume/composition.

Reproductive System

Gonads and associated organs that produce gametes and hormones, enabling reproduction.

Endocrine System

Regulates body activities by releasing hormones, which are chemical messengers transported in blood from an endocrine gland or tissue to a target organ.

Lymphatic System and Immunity

Vessels, lymph, spleen, thymus, nodes; returns fluid to blood and participates in immune defense.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference stance: standing upright, feet forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

Prone Position

Body lying face down.

Supine Position

Body lying face up.

Superior (Cephalic/Cranial)

Toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior (Caudal)

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

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Nearer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Farther from the midline.

Intermediate

Between two structures.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body as another structure.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body from another structure.

Proximal

Nearer to the attachment of a limb or origin of a structure.

Distal

Farther from the attachment of a limb or origin of a structure.

Superficial (External)

Toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep (Internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Flexion

Decreasing the angle between two bones at a joint.

Extension

Increasing the angle between two bones at a joint.

Hyperextension

Extension beyond the anatomical position.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline.

Pronation

Turning the forearm or foot downward (palm/sole down).

Supination

Turning the forearm or foot upward (palm/sole up).

Retraction

Moving a part backward.

Protraction

Moving a part forward.

Elevation

Raising a body part.

Depression

Lowering a body part.

Lateral Flexion

Side bending left or right.

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot inward.

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot outward.

Dorsiflexion

Bringing the top of the foot toward the shin.

Plantarflexion

Pointing the foot downward.

Radial Deviation

Wrist movement toward the radius (thumb side).

Ulnar Deviation

Wrist movement toward the ulna (little-finger side).

Dorsal Cavity

On the back side of the body cavity containing cranial and spinal cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Dorsal sub-cavity housing the brain.

Spinal Cavity

Dorsal sub-cavity housing the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Anterior body cavity containing thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Superior ventral cavity within the chest.

Pleural Cavity

Thoracic sub-cavity containing a lung.

Pericardial Cavity

Thoracic sub-cavity containing the heart.

Mediastinum

Central portion of thoracic activity