MEDI-101: Orientation to the Human Body Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms, branches of study, levels of structural organization, directional terms, anatomical positions, and organ systems based on MEDI-101 lecture notes.

Anatomy

The science of body structures and the relationships among them.

Physiology

The science of body functions—how the body parts work.

Gross (Macroscopic) Anatomy

The study of structures visible to the naked eye.

Regional Anatomy

The study of all structures in a specific region (e.g., neck, thorax, abdomen).

Systemic Anatomy

The study of the structure of one system (e.g., Digestive, Respiratory system).

Surface Anatomy

The study of the external features of the body, focusing on anatomical landmarks that can be identified by observation or palpation.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of structures under the microscope.

Cytology

The branch of microscopic anatomy focusing on the study of cells and organelles, including membranes, transport, signalling, and the cell cycle.

Histology

The branch of microscopic anatomy focusing on the study of tissues (epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).

Developmental Anatomy

The study of human development from fertilization to death.

Embryology

The study of human development during weeks 1 to 8 in intrauterine life.

Pathological Anatomy

The study of structural changes in disease at gross and microscopic levels.

Imaging (Radiologic) Anatomy

Anatomy as seen on X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc., including cross-sectional orientation (axial/coronal/sagittal).

Molecular Physiology

The study of gene/protein networks and signaling pathways that drive cellular/organ function.

Cell Physiology

The study of cellular function, including membrane transport, ion channels, excitability, and secretion.

Systems Physiology

The study of organ-system function.

Exercise Physiology

The study of physiological responses to physical activity (cardiorespiratory, muscular, metabolic adaptations).

Pathophysiology

The study of function in disease states—how mechanisms fail (e.g., heart failure hemodynamics, insulin resistance, obstructive vs restrictive lung mechanics).

Chemical Level

The structural level comprising a combination of atoms (C, H, O, N, P) to form molecules like DNA.

Cellular Level

The basic living unit of an organism with specialized structures and functions (e.g., RBC, WBC, Neurons, sperm).

Tissue Level

A group of cells with similar structure and function working together (e.g., epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).

Organ Level

Structures composed of two or more tissues that have specific functions and recognizable shapes (e.g., eye, skin, heart, stomach).

Organ System Level

Consists of related organs with a common function (e.g., skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine systems).

Organismal Level

The highest level of organization, where all parts of the human body function together to constitute the total organism.

Anatomical Position

A standard position of reference where the subject stands erect facing the observer, head level, eyes facing directly forward, lower limbs parallel with feet flat and directed forward, and upper limbs at sides with palms turned forward.

Prone Position

The position of a body lying facedown.

Supine Position

The position of a body lying face up.

Superior (Cephalic or Cranial)

Toward the head, or the upper part of a structure.

Inferior (Caudal)

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

Anterior (Ventral)

Nearer to or at the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Nearer to or at the back of the body.

Medial

Nearer to the midline (an imaginary vertical line dividing the body into equal right and left sides).

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 to the trunk; nearer to the origination of a structure.

Distal

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure.

Superficial (External)

Toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep (Internal)

Away from the surface of the body.

Integumentary System

Forms the external body covering; protects deeper tissue from injury; synthesizes vitamin D; location of sensory receptors and sweat/oil glands.

Skeletal System

Protects and supports body organs; provides a framework for muscles to cause movement; forms blood cells within bones; stores minerals.

Muscular System

Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression; maintains posture; produces heat.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system of the body; responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones regulating processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use by body cells.

Cardiovascular System

System wherein blood vessels transport blood carrying oxygen, nutrients, hormones, CO2, and wastes; driven by the heart pumping blood.

Lymphatic System

Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood; disposes of debris; houses white blood cells involved in immunity.

Respiratory System

Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide through gaseous exchanges across air sac walls in the lungs.

Digestive System

Breaks food down into absorbable nutrients that enter the blood for distribution, and eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces.

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogen-containing wastes from the body; regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

Male Reproductive System

Produces offspring; testes produce sperm and male sex hormone, while ducts and glands aid in delivery of viable sperm.

Female Reproductive System

Produces offspring; ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones; remaining structures serve as sites for fertilization and fetal development; mammary glands produce milk.