The Human Organism: Chapter 1 Lecture Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of human anatomy, physiology, levels of organization, body systems, metabolic processes, homeostasis, and anatomical terminology.

Anatomy

The scientific discipline that investigates the STRUCTURE of the body; 'Ana' means 'apart' and 'Tomy' means 'to cut'.

Physiology

The scientific discipline that deals with the processes or FUNCTIONS of living things.

Systemic Anatomy

The study of the body by system.

Regional Anatomy

The study of the body by areas.

Surface Anatomy

The study of external features to locate deeper structures.

Anatomical Imaging

Involves the use of X-Ray, MRI, Ultrasound, and other technologies to examine internal structures.

Chemical Level

The simplest level of the structural ladder, which includes atoms and molecules such as Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Glucose.

Cellular Level

The level composed of basic structural and functional units of an organism, such as muscle, nerve, or epithelial cells.

Cytology

The study of the microscopic appearance of cells.

Tissue Level

A group of cells that perform the same function.

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 while distributing blood vessels to other tissue.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue that contracts to make body parts move and generates heat.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that carries information through nerve impulses.

Organ Level

Level composed of two or more tissues that perform the same function, such as the stomach or heart.

Peristalsis

The movement of gastrointestinal organs.

System Level

Consists of related organs with a common function, such as the Digestive System.

Organism Level

Any living thing considered as a whole, whether composed of one cell or trillions of cells.

Erythropoetin

A hormone that helps regulate the production of red blood cells, produced by the urinary system.

Integumentary System

Provides protection, regulates temperature, prevents water loss, and helps produce vitamin D.

Skeletal System

Provides protection and support, allows movements, produces blood cells, and stores minerals and adipose tissue.

Endocrine System

A major regulatory system that influences metabolism, growth, and reproduction by releasing hormones.

Lymphatic System

Removes foreign substances from the blood and lymph, combats disease, maintains tissue fluid balance, and absorbs dietary fats.

Metabolism

The ability to use energy through the phases of catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules to produce energy.

Anabolism

The building up of smaller molecules into complex ones, which uses energy.

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to sense changes in the environment.

Differentiation

Changes in cell structure and function from generalized to specialized types.

Homeostasis

The existence and maintenance of the balance or 'sameness' of the body's internal environment.

Set Value Point

The normal range of a factor being regulated in homeostasis.

Receptor

A component of the homeostatic control system that detects changes and signals the control center.

Control Center

A component of the homeostatic control system that analyzes information and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

A component of the homeostatic control system that receives output and produces the response.

Negative Feedback

A feedback mechanism that reverses a change in a variable to maintain homeostasis.

Positive Feedback

A feedback mechanism that strengthens or reinforces a change in a variable.

Anatomical Position

The standard position where a person is facing the observer, face forward, with lower limbs parallel and feet flat.

Prone

Body position where the person is lying face down.

Supine

Body position where the person is lying face up.

Superior/Cranial

Directional term meaning toward the upper part or head.

Inferior/Caudal

Directional term meaning toward the lower part or tail.

Anterior/Ventral

Directional term meaning toward the front.

Posterior/Dorsal

Directional term meaning toward the back.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the inner side or midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning toward the outer side.

Proximal

Directional term meaning near to the trunk.

Distal

Directional term meaning far from the trunk.

Ipsilateral

Directional term meaning on the same side.

Contralateral

Directional term meaning on the opposite side.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that separates the body into right and left sides.

Midsagittal/Median Plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right sides.

Frontal/Coronal Plane

A vertical plane that separates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions; also known as a cross-section.

Oblique Plane

A diagonal cut through the body at an angle other than a right angle ($90$ degrees).

Mediastinum

A partition dividing the thoracic cavity into right and left parts, containing the heart, thymus, trachea, and esophagus.

Visceral Serous Membrane

The inner layer of a serous membrane in direct contact with an organ.

Parietal Serous Membrane

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the cavity wall.

Pericardial Cavity

The serous membrane-lined cavity that surrounds the heart.

Pleural Cavity

The serous membrane-lined cavity that surrounds each lung.

Peritoneal Cavity

The serous membrane-lined cavity located within the abdominopelvic cavity.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum.

Mesenteries

Two layers of peritoneum fused together that anchor organs to the body wall and provide pathways for nerves and vessels.

Retroperitoneal

Refers to organs, such as the kidneys and pancreas, located behind the parietal peritoneum.