Anatomy and Human Body Systems Flashcards

A Comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards derived from lecture notes on anatomy, physiology, and human body systems, including directional terms, bone types, muscle mechanics, and organ system-organ-system functions.

Anterior

In front of.

Posterior

Behind of.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Distal

Further away to the point of attachment.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment.

Superficial

Closer to the surface.

Deep

Deeper in the surface.

Ventral

Belly or front side.

Dorsal

Back or behind of.

Coronal Plane

Frontal plane that splits the body into anterior and posterior regions.

Sagittal Plane

Splits the body into left and right regions.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane that splits the body into superior and inferior regions.

Epithelium

Tissue that forms the linings, coverings, and glandular tissue of the body.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that protects, supports, and binds together other body tissues; made up of cells in a nonliving matrix.

Nervous Tissue

Composed of specialized cells called neurons that receive and send electrical signals.

Bell’s Palsy

A temporary paralysis or weakness of muscles on one side of the face often resulting from a viral reaction.

Long Bone

Consists of a shaft and two ends; longer than it is wide with a thick outside layer and marrow-filled cavity (e.g., Femur, Humerus).

Short Bone

Roughly cube-shaped bone consisting mostly of spongy bone with a thin layer of compact bone (e.g., Patella, Tarsal).

Flat Bone

Thin bone consisting of a layer of spongy bone between two thin layers of compact bone (e.g., Ribs, Scapula).

Irregular Bone

Bones that do not fit other categories, consisting of thin layers of spongy bone surrounded by compact bone (e.g., Vertebrae).

Periosteum

Bone layer that provides blood supply and enables bone growth.

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone that houses the medullary cavity containing fat and blood vessels.

Epiphysis

The end of a long bone that allows for smooth movement.

Osteocyte

Sensors of stress within compact bone that regulate bone remodeling.

Haversian Canal

A channel in compact bone for blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Canaliculi

Structures that facilitate communication between osteocytes and the bone blood supply.

Spiral Fracture

Also called a torsion fracture; occurs when a bone has been twisted apart.

Greenstick Fracture

Fracture in young, soft bone where the bone breaks and bends but does not separate.

Comminuted Fracture

A painful splintering of the bone caused by extreme impact, often requiring surgery.

Insertion

The muscle attachment point that moves during contraction.

Origin

The muscle attachment point that remains stationary during contraction.

Sarcomere

The structural and functional unit of a muscle located between two Z discs.

Fibrous Joint

A fixed or immovable joint primarily composed of collagen.

Synovial Joint

The most common joint type; contains a cavity with synovial fluid to reduce friction.

Action Potential

A physiological signal where Na+ voltage-gated channels open causing depolarization ($-55\,mV$) and K+ channels open causing repolarization ($30\,mV$).

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Neurotransmitter involved in muscle contraction, learning, and memory.

GABA

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system.

Glutamate

The primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, present in more than $90\%$ of all brain synapses.

Endocrine Disruptors

Substances like BPA or Phthalates that interfere with hormones and the endocrine system.

Cardiac Output

A measure of blood pumped by both ventricles in one minute, calculated as $HR\,(beat/min) \times \text{Stroke Volume}\,(mL/beat)$.

Tidal Volume (TV)

The volume of air breathed in and out without conscious effort.

Vital Capacity (VC)

The total volume of air that can be exhaled after maximum inhalation; $VC = TV + IRV + ERV$.

Prions

Pathogens that cause normal proteins in the brain to fold abnormally (e.g., Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease).

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen through the body.

Innate Immunity

Non-specific immune defense mechanisms that people are born with.

Acquired Immunity

Specific immune defense targeting pathogens acquired over a lifetime through infection or vaccines.

Amylase

Enzyme found in the oral cavity and pancreas that breaks down carbohydrates.

Nephron

The structural and functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration, secretion, and reabsorption.

Glomerulus

The cluster of capillaries in the nephron where blood filtration occurs.

Urinalysis

A diagnostic test looking at the macroscopic, chemical, and microscopic content of urine to identify toxins or disease.