The Human Body: An Orientation

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the introduction to human anatomy, organ systems, homeostasis, and anatomical terminology based on Chapter 1 lecture notes.

Principle of Complementarity

The concept that anatomy and physiology are inseparable because function always reflects structure; what a structure can do depends on its specific form.

Anatomy

The study of body structures, categorized into subdivisions such as gross or macroscopic, microscopic, and developmental.

Physiology

The study of basic physical and chemical principles of body functions, often focusing on the cellular and molecular level and subdivided by organ systems.

Integumentary System

Forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissues from injury, synthesizes vitamin D, houses cutaneous receptors and glands, and assists in thermoregulation.

Skeletal System

Protects and supports body organs, provides a framework for muscle use, is the site of blood cell formation, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

Provides movement (manipulation), maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous System

The body's control system that responds to changes and activates appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Regulates body functions, glands, and tissues through the secretion of hormones.

Cardiovascular System

Via the blood, it distributes nutrients and $O_2$ to cells, delivers $CO_2$ and wastes to disposal organs, and pumps de$O_2$ blood to the lungs.

Lymphatic System

Returns excess tissue fluid to the cardiovascular system and provides immunity.

Respiratory System

Takes in oxygen ($O_2$), eliminates carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and maintains the acid-base balance of the blood.

Digestive System

Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients into the blood, eliminates unabsorbed matter as feces, and maintains fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogenous metabolic wastes, excess ions, maintains fluid/electrolyte/acid-base balance, and stimulates blood cell production.

Metabolism

A characteristic of living organisms that includes catabolism (breaking down) and anabolism (building up).

Responsiveness

The ability to respond to changes, exemplified by the withdrawal reflex and control of breathing rate.

Excretion

The removal of wastes resulting from metabolism and digestion.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite changes in the environment, maintained by all organ systems.

Receptor (sensor)

A component of a control mechanism that monitors the environment and responds to stimuli.

Control center

Determines the set point at which a variable is maintained, receives input from the receptor, and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

Receives output from the control center and provides the means to respond via negative or positive feedback.

Negative Feedback

The most common feedback mechanism where the response reduces or shuts off the original stimulus, such as body temperature or blood glucose regulation.

Positive Feedback

A response that enhances the original stimulus to control infrequent events like labor or platelet plug formation.

Anatomical position

A standard body position where the body is erect, feet are slightly apart, and palms are facing forward.

Axial division

One of the two major body divisions, consisting of the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular division

The division of the body consisting of the limbs.

Body plane

A flat surface along which the body or a structure may be cut for anatomical study.

Sagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Serous membrane (serosa)

A double-layered membrane in the ventral body cavity consisting of the parietal serosa lining cavity walls and the visceral serosa covering internal organs.

Pericardium

The serous membrane associated with the heart.

Pleurae

The serous membranes associated with the lungs.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane associated with the abdominopelvic cavity.