Chapter 1 - The Sciences of A&P

ANATOMY

The study of structure and form.

PHYSIOLOGY

The study of function of the body parts.

ANATOMISTS

Scientists who study the relationships among parts of the body as well as the structure of individual organs.

PHYSIOLOGISTS

Scientists who examine how organs and body systems function under normal circumstances, as well as how their functioning may be altered via medication or disease.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

A systematic and rigorous process by which scientists examine events, develop hypotheses, experiment and test hypotheses, and determine if data gathered supports hypotheses.

MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY

Examines structures that cannot be seen by the unaided eye.

CYTOLOGY

Subdivision of microscopic anatomy that is the study of body cells and their internal structure.

HISTOLOGY

Subdivision of microscopic anatomy that is the study of tissues.

GROSS ANATOMY

A.K.A. Macroscopic anatomy, it investigates the structure and relationships of body parts that are visible to the unaided eye.

SYSTEMIC ANATOMY

One of several ways to approach gross anatomy; studies the anatomy of each functional body system, e.g. urinary system

REGIONAL ANATOMY

One of several ways to approach gross anatomy; studies all the structures in a particular region of the body as a complete unit, e.g. study of the armpit

SURFACE ANATOMY

One of several ways to approach gross anatomy; focuses on both superficial anatomic markings and the internal body structures that relate to the skin covering them, e.g. pulse locations

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY

One of several ways to approach gross anatomy; examines similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species, e.g. limbs of humans vs chimps.

EMBRYOLOGY

One of several ways to approach gross anatomy; concerned with developmental changes occurring from conception to birth.

PATHOLOGIC ANATOMY

A specialized branch of anatomy that examines all anatomic changes resulting from disease. Incorporates both micro and macroscopic anatomy.

RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY

A specialized branch of anatomy that investigates the relationships among internal structures that may be visualized by specific scanning procedures, e.g. sonography or MRI.

CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY

A specialized branch of physiology that examines the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

A specialized branch of physiology that examines how nerve impulses travel throughout the nervous system.

RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY

A specialized branch of physiology that studies how respiratory gases are transferred by gas exchange between the lungs and the blood vessels.

REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY

A specialized branch of physiology that explores how the regulation of reproductive hormones can drive the reproductive cycle and influence sex cell production and maturation.

ORGANIZATION, METABOLISM, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, RESPONSIVENESS, REGULATION, REPRODUCTION

Six properties common to all organisms, including humans.

METABOLISM

The sum of all the chemical reactions that occur within the body.

ANABOLISM

A metabolic process by which small molecules are joined to form larger molecules.

CATABOLISM

A metabolic process by which large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Organisms exhibit increased size (growth) and increased specialization as related to form and function (development).

RESPONSIVENESS

The ability to sense and react to stimuli.

STIMULI

Changes in the external or internal environment.

REGULATION

The ability to adjust or direct internal bodily function in the face of environmental changes.

REPRODUCTION

All organisms produce new cells for growth, maintenance, and repair.

CHEMICAL LEVEL

The simplest level of organization in humans; it involves atoms and molecules.

ATOMS

the smallest units of matter that exhibit the characteristics of an element.

MOLECULE

When two or more atoms combine, they form a molecule.

MACROMOLECULE

More complex molecules; this includes some proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules.

ORGANELLES

microscopic structures found within cells

CELLULAR LEVEL

The second level in organism organization from simplest to most complex; consists of cells, which are the smallest living structures and serve as the basic units of structure and function in organisms.

TISSUE LEVEL

The third level in organism organization from simplest to most complex; consists of tissues, which are groups of similar cells that perform common functions.

EPITHELIAL TISSUE

One of four major types of tissue; covers exposed surfaces and lines body cavities.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE

One of four major types of tissue; protects, supports, and binds structures and organs.

MUSCLE TISSUE

One of four major types of tissue; produces movement.

NERVOUS TISSUE

One of four major types of tissue; conducts nerve impulses for communication.

ORGAN LEVEL

The fourth level in organism organization from simplest to most complex; composed of organs, which contain two or more tissue types working together to perform specific, complex functions, e.g., small intestine

ORGAN SYSTEM LEVEL

The fifth level in organism organization from simplest to most complex; contains related organs that work together to coordinate activities and achieve a common function, e.g., digestive system

ORGANISMAL LEVEL

Highest level of structural organization; all body systems function interdependently in an organism, which is the living being.

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; provides protection, regulates body temp, site of cutaneous receptors and some glands, synthesizes VIT D, prevents water loss.

SKELETAL SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; provides support and protection, site of hemopoiesis (blood cell production), stores calcium and phosphorus, provides sites for muscle attachments.

MUSCULAR SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; produces body movement, generates heat when muscles contract.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; a regulatory system that controls muscles and some glands and responds to sensory stimuli. Also responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; consists of glands and cell clusters that secrete hormones, which regulate development, growth and metabolism; maintain homeostasis of blood composition and volume, control digestive processes, and control reproduction.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; consists of the heart and blood vessels; the heart moves blood through the blood vessels in order to distribute hormones, nutrients, gases, and pick up waste products.

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; transports and filters lymph (interstitial fluid transported through lymph vessels) and participates in an immune response when necessary.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; responsible for exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between blood and the air in the lungs.

URINARY SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; filters the blood to remove waste products and biologically active molecules, concentrates waste products in the form of urine, and expels urine from the body.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; mechanically and chemically digests food materials, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste products.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; produces male sex cells (sperm) and male hormones (e.g., testosterone), transfers sperm to the female.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

One of 11 commonly denoted organ systems; produces female sex cells (oocytes) and female hormones (e.g., estrogen and progesterone), receives sperm from male, site of fertilization of oocyte, site of growth and development of embryo and fetus, produces and secretes breast milk for nourishment of newborn.

ANATOMIC POSITION

All anatomic and directional terms refer to the body in anatomic position; individual is in the upright position with feet parallel and flat on the floor, the upper limbs are at the sides of the body, the palms face anteriorly (toward the front); the head is level and the eyes look forward toward the observer.

SECTION

Implies an actual cut or slice to expose internal anatomy.

PLANE

implies an imaginary flat surface passing through the body.

CORONAL PLANE

AKA frontal plane; A vertical plane that divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior parts.

TRANSVERSE PLANE

AKA horizontal plane or cross-sectional plane; a horizontal plane that divides the body or organ into superior and inferior parts.

MIDSAGITTAL PLANE

AKA median plane; a vertical plane that divides the body or organ into equal left and right halves.

SAGITTAL PLANE

a vertical plane parallel to a midsagittal plane that divides the body or organ into Unequal left and right portions.

OBLIQUE PLANE

a minor plane that passes through a structure at an angle.

ANTERIOR

In front of; toward the front surface

POSTERIOR

In back of; toward the back surface

DORSAL

At the back side of the human body

VENTRAL

At the belly side of the human body

SUPERIOR

Closer to the head

INFERIOR

Closer to the feet

CRANIAL (CEPHALIC)

At the head end

CAUDAL

At the rear or tail end

ROSTRAL

Toward the nose or mouth

MEDIAL

Toward the midline of the body

LATERAL

Away from the midline of the body

DEEP

On the inside, internal to another structure

SUPERFICIAL

On the outside

PROXIMAL

Closer to the point of attachment to trunk

DISTAL

Farther away from the point of attachment to trunk

AXIAL REGION

One of the two main regions the human body is partitioned into; includes the head, neck, and trunk; it forms the main vertical axis of the body.

APPENDICULAR REGION

One of the two main regions the human body is partitioned into; composed of the upper and lower limbs which attach to the axial region.

POSTERIOR ASPECT

AKA Dorsal body cavity; Contains the cranial cavity and vertebral canal. Uniquely, the two posterior aspect cavities are the only body cavities completely encased in bone.

CRANIAL CAVITY

AKA endocranium; One of two posterior aspect body cavities; it houses the brain and is completely encased in the bone of the cranium.

VERTEBRAL CANAL

One of two posterior aspect body cavities; it houses the spinal cord and is completely encased in bones of the vertebral column.

VENTRAL CAVITY

The larger, anteriorly placed cavity in the body. The ventral cavity is partitioned by the diaphragm into a superior thoracic cavity and an inferior abdominopelvic cavity. Unique to the ventral cavity, the subdivisions within are lined with serous membranes.

PARIETAL LAYER

The serous membrane layer that lines the internal surface of the body wall within the ventral cavity.

VISCERAL LAYER

The serous membrane layer that covers the external surface of the organs within the ventral cavity.

SEROUS CAVITY

The potential space existing between the parietal and visceral serous membrane layers.

SEROUS FLUID

Fluid secreted by serous membranes; it has the consistency of oil and serves as a lubricant.

MEDIASTINUM

The median space in the thoracic cavity. It contains the heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels that connect to the heart.

PARIETAL PERICARDIUM

the outermost layer of the serous membrane; forms the sac around the heart.

VISCERAL PERICARDIUM

Serous membrane layer that covers the heart, forms the heart's external surface.

PERICARDIAL CAVITY

The potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the pericardium; contains serous fluid.

PLEURA

The two layered serous membrane that surrounds the lungs.

PARIETAL PLEURA

The outer layer of the serous membrane that lines the internal surface of the thoracic wall.

VISCERAL PLEURA

The inner layer of the serous membrane that covers the external surface of each lung.

PLEURAL CAVITY

The potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura; contains serous fluid.

ABDOMINAL CAVITY

Contains most of the digestive organs, as well as the kidneys and most of the ureters.

PELVIC CAVITY

Contains the distal part of the large intestine, the remainder of the ureters, and the urinary bladder and the internal reproductive organs.

PERITONEUM

The two layered serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity.

PARIETAL PERITONEUM

The outer layer of the serous membrane that lines the internal walls of the abdominopelvic cavity.