Anatomy and Physiology: Module 1 Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering human anatomy, physiology, the circulatory system, blood composition, and phlebotomy practices based on Module 1 lecture notes.

Phlebotomy

Simply means to cut into a vein, derived from the Greek words phlebos (vein) and tome (to cut open).

Phlebotomist

A trained professional who performs procedures to cut into a vein and must strictly follow rules and regulations set by governing bodies.

Venipuncture

The method of obtaining blood specimens by puncturing a vein.

Dermal puncture

The method of obtaining blood specimens by puncturing the skin.

Polycythemia

A condition characterized by increased thickness of blood, which phlebotomists treat by removing blood from patients.

Anatomy

The study of the structural composition of the human body.

Physiology

The study of the function of the human body.

Body plane

A flat surface resulting from a real or imaginary cut through a body in the normal anatomic position.

Sagittal plane

A division that divides the body into left and right sections.

Midsagittal plane

A specific sagittal plane that divides the body into two equal left and right halves.

Coronal (or frontal) plane

A division that divides the body into front and back sections, where abduction and adduction movements occur.

Transverse (or horizontal) plane

A division that divides the body into upper and lower halves, associated with rotational movements like twisting.

Body cavities

Large, hollow spaces that house various organs, divided into dorsal and ventral groups.

Dorsal (posterior) cavities

Cavities located in the back of the body, including the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the spinal cavity (encasing the spinal cord).

Ventral (anterior) cavities

Cavities located in the front of the body, including the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Circulatory system

A system that carries oxygen and food to cells and removes carbon dioxide and wastes; it includes the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.

Epicardium

The thin outer layer of the heart.

Myocardium

The middle muscle layer of the heart.

Endocardium

A thin, protective outer layer of the heart that also acts as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Atria

The upper receiving chambers of the heart (atrium, singular).

Ventricles

The lower pumping or delivering chambers of the heart.

Interatrial septum

The partition that separates the right and left atria.

Interventricular septum

The partition that separates the right and left ventricles.

Tricuspid Valve

A valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle that allows oxygen-poor blood to flow into the right ventricle.

Pulmonary Valve

A valve situated between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery to allow blood to be pumped to the lungs.

Mitral Valve

A valve positioned between the left atrium and left ventricle that allows oxygen-rich blood to move into the left ventricle.

Aortic Valve

A valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta that controls the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body.

Pulmonary Circulation

The division of the vascular system that carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

Systemic Circulation

The division of the vascular system that carries oxygenated blood and nutrients from the left ventricle to the body cells and returns to the right atrium.

Arteries

Thick-walled blood vessels that carry oxygenated, bright red blood away from the heart (except for the pulmonary artery).

Arterioles

The smallest branches of arteries that join with the capillaries.

Aorta

The largest artery in the human body.

Veins

Blood vessels that return oxygen-poor, dark red blood to the heart (except for the pulmonary vein).

Venules

The smallest veins.

Great saphenous veins

The longest veins in the body, located in the legs.

Superior and inferior venae cavae

The largest veins in the body.

Capillaries

Microscopic, one-cell-thick vessels that connect arterioles and venules and act as a bridge for the exchange of gases and nutrients.

Tunica adventitia

The outer layer of a blood vessel made up of connective tissue, also called the tunica externa.

Tunica media

The middle and thickest layer of a blood vessel, composed of smooth muscle tissue and elastic fibers.

Tunica intima

The inner layer or lining of a blood vessel made of endothelial cells, also called the tunica interna.

Antecubital fossa

The shallow triangular depression in the arm anterior to and slightly below the bend of the elbow; the first-choice location for venipuncture.

Median cubital vein

The first-choice vein for venipuncture in the H-shaped pattern; it is typically larger, better anchored, and least likely to bruise.

Median vein

The first choice for venipuncture in the M-shaped pattern.

Cephalic vein

The second-choice vein for venipuncture, located in the lateral aspect of the antecubital area.

Basilic vein

The last-choice vein for venipuncture because it is less anchored, rolls easily, and is close to the median nerve and brachial artery.

Plasma

The fluid portion of the blood, comprising approximately $55\%$ of total blood volume and consisting of $91\%$ water and $9\%$ solutes.

Formed elements

The cellular portion of the blood ($45\%$), consisting of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells (RBCs); anuclear, biconcave disks produced in bone marrow that carry oxygen and have a lifespan of approximately $120\,days$.

Erythropoiesis

The process of red blood cell (RBC) formation.

Leukocytes

White blood cells (WBCs); nucleated cells formed in bone marrow and lymphatic tissue that neutralize or destroy pathogens.

Phagocytosis

A process in which a pathogen or foreign matter is surrounded, engulfed, and destroyed by a white blood cell.

Thrombocytes

Commonly known as platelets; the smallest formed elements essential to coagulation, produced from megakaryocytes.

Antigens

Proteins on the surface of red blood cells that determine an individual's blood type.

Rh factor

Also known as the D antigen; its presence or absence determines if a blood type is positive or negative.

Serum

The clear, pale-yellow liquid that remains after blood has clotted and lacks fibrinogen.

Buffy coat

A thin, whitish middle layer containing white blood cells and platelets that forms when an anticoagulated blood sample is centrifuged.

Whole blood

Blood in the same form as it is in the bloodstream; it must be collected in a tube with anticoagulant to prevent clotting or separation.

Hemostasis

The arrest or stoppage of bleeding after a vascular injury.

Coagulation

The conversion of liquid blood into a semisolid gel called a clot.

Vasoconstriction

The immediate reaction to blood vessel injury where the diameter of the vessel is reduced by the contraction of smooth muscle fibers in the tunica media.

Lymphatic system

A network of organs and vessels that returns tissue fluid to the bloodstream and protects the body by removing microorganisms.

Lymph

The fluid that flows through the lymphatic system.

Epidermis

The top layer of skin that provides a waterproof barrier and contains melanocytes, keratinocytes, and Langerhans cells.

Dermis

The middle and thickest layer of the skin, containing sweat glands, oil glands, and hair follicles.

Hypodermis

The bottom, fatty layer of the skin that insulates the body.

Proximal

A directional term defined as nearest to the point of attachment.

Homeostasis

The process by which the body maintains a state of equilibrium.