The Human Organism - Vocabulary Flashcards (Seeley’s Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, 9th Edition)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key anatomy and physiology terms and concepts from the notes.

Anatomy

The science that studies the structure of the body and its parts.

Physiology

The science that studies the functions and processes of living organisms and how body parts work together.

System

An organized group of organs that work together to perform related functions.

Regional Anatomy

The study of the body by specific areas or regions.

Surface Anatomy

External features used to locate deeper structures beneath the skin.

Anatomical Imaging

Noninvasive techniques (such as X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) used to examine deep structures.

Cytology

The study of the microscopic structure and appearance of cells.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers body surfaces, lines hollow organs and cavities, and forms glands.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that connects, supports, and protects body organs and distributes blood vessels.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue that contracts to cause movement and generate heat.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that transmits nerve impulses for communication and control.

Cellular Level

Level composed of cells that perform the same functions.

Tissue Level

Level composed of similar cells and extracellular material that perform specific functions.

Organ Level

An organ is made of two or more tissue types that perform related functions (e.g., stomach, heart, brain).

System Level

A group of organs that work together to perform a common function.

Organism Level

The whole living being; the complete, functioning entity.

Peristalsis

Coordinated waves of smooth muscle contractions moving contents through the GI tract.

Digestive System

Body system that breaks down and absorbs food and eliminates wastes.

Nervous System

Regulatory system that detects sensations, processes information, and controls body activities.

Cardiovascular System

Transports blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes throughout the body.

Respiratory System

Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and air.

Integumentary System

Protects, regulates temperature, prevents water loss, and produces vitamin D; includes skin, hair, nails, glands.

Skeletal System

Supports and protects the body, aids movement, makes blood cells, stores minerals.

Muscular System

Produces movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones to regulate metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

Lymphatic System

Removes foreign substances, supports immune defense, maintains tissue fluid balance, and absorbs fats.

Digestive System organs

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and related structures involved in digestion.

Urinary System

Removes wastes from the blood and regulates pH, ion, and water balance.

Male Reproductive System

Produces and transports sperm and secretes male hormones.

Female Reproductive System

Produces oocytes, site of fertilization and fetal development, and secretes hormones.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment within a normal range.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism that counteracts a deviation from a set point to restore balance.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that amplifies a change; most are harmful, though some are beneficial in specific contexts.

Receptor

Sensor that detects changes in a regulated variable and sends information to the control center.

Control Center

Part of the body that processes information and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

Structure that receives output from the control center and enacts the response.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference position: standing, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward.

Supine

Face-up position.

Prone

Face-down position.

Sagittal Plane

Plane that divides the body into left and right portions; midsagittal/median plane provides equal halves.

Parasagittal Plane

Plane parallel to the sagittal plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

Frontal/Coronal Plane

Plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane

Plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts (a cross-section).

Oblique Plane

Plane that cuts at an angle other than 90 degrees to the long axis.

Longitudinal Section

A cut along the long axis of an organ.

Quadrants of the Abdomen

Right-upper quadrant (RUQ), left-upper quadrant (LUQ), right-lower quadrant (RLQ), left-lower quadrant (LLQ).

Epigastric Region

Upper central region of the abdomen.

Hypochondriac Regions

Upper left and upper right lateral regions of the abdomen.

Umbilical Region

Central region around the navel.

Lumbar Regions

Left and right regions near the lower back.

Hypogastric Region

Lower central region of the abdomen.

Iliac Regions

Left and right lower regions near the hips.

Mediastinum

A central partition in the thoracic cavity containing the heart, thymus, trachea, and esophagus.

Pericardial Cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart, between visceral and parietal pericardium, containing pericardial fluid.

Pleural Cavities

Two cavities surrounding the lungs, between visceral and parietal pleura; contain pleural fluid.

Peritoneal Cavity

Serous membrane-lined cavity within the abdominopelvic cavity; contains peritoneal fluid.

Visceral Peritoneum

Membrane that covers the organs within the abdominal cavity.

Parietal Peritoneum

Membrane that lines the walls of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Mesenteries

Two-layer peritoneum folds that attach visceral peritoneum to the body wall and provide pathways for nerves and vessels.

Retroperitoneal

Location behind the parietal peritoneum; kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, parts of the intestine, and bladder are retroperitoneal.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The combined abdominal and pelvic cavities; not always physically separated.