Chapter 1: Anatomy & Physiology Integrated - Key Terms (VOCAB)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms from the lecture notes on Anatomy & Physiology.

Anatomy

Studies the form and structure of the body.

Physiology

Examines how the body functions.

Interrelationship of anatomy and physiology

Knowledge of form and structure is integrated with function; form follows function.

Homeostasis

The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changing conditions.

Receptor

Detects changes in a variable and sends input to the control center.

Stimulus

A change in a regulated variable that triggers a response.

Control center

Interprets input from receptors and initiates changes via the effector.

Effector

The structure that brings about changes to restore homeostasis.

Negative feedback

Regulates most processes; the variable fluctuates around a set point in the opposite direction of the stimulus.

Positive feedback

Stimulus is reinforced to continue moving the variable in the same direction until a climactic event ends it.

Set point

The desired value around which a variable is maintained.

Anatomic position

Upright stance with feet flat, palms facing forward, head level; reference posture for anatomical descriptions.

Section

A cut or slice through the body used to expose internal anatomy.

Plane

An imaginary flat surface through the body used to divide it for study.

Coronal (frontal) plane

Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts.

Midsagittal (median) plane

Divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane parallel to the midsagittal plane; divides into left and right portions.

Oblique plane

Passes through a structure at an angle.

Anterior

Towards the front of the body.

Posterior

Towards the back of the body.

Superior

Towards the upper part of the body.

Inferior

Towards the lower part of the body.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body.

Lateral

Towards the sides of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk.

Gross anatomy

Anatomy visible to the unaided eye; often involves dissection.

Microscopic anatomy

Anatomy observed under a microscope.

Cytology

Study of body cells and their internal structure.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Embryology

Developmental changes from conception to birth.

Pathologic anatomy

Macroscopic and microscopic changes due to disease.

Radiographic anatomy

Internal structures visualized by scanning procedures.

Systemic anatomy

Anatomy of each body system studied separately.

Regional anatomy

Anatomy of specific body regions.

Comparative anatomy

Comparisons of anatomical similarities and differences across species.

Cardiovascular physiology

Examines functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Neurophysiology

Studies functioning of nerves and nervous system organs.

Respiratory physiology

Explores functioning of respiratory organs.

Reproductive physiology

Investigates functioning of reproductive hormones and the reproductive cycle.

Pathophysiology

Study of how disease or injury affects the function of a body system.

Levels of organization

Hierarchical progression from chemical level to organismal level in the body.

Chemical level

Atoms, molecules, and macromolecules—the smallest units of matter.

Cellular level

Cells—the basic units of life.

Tissue level

Tissues—groups of similar cells performing common functions.

Organ level

Organs—structures composed of two or more tissue types.

Organ system level

Groups of organs that work together to perform a major function.

Organismal level

All organ systems functioning together to form a living organism.

Serous membranes

Double-layered membranes with a serous cavity and serous fluid; parietal lines walls, visceral covers organs.

Parietal serous membrane

Lines the internal surface of body walls.

Visceral serous membrane

Covers the external surface of organs (viscera).

Serous cavity

Space between parietal and visceral serous membranes containing serous fluid.

Peritoneum

Two-layered serous membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity.

Parietal peritoneum

Outer layer that lines the walls of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Visceral peritoneum

Inner layer that covers most abdominal and pelvic organs.

Peritoneal cavity

Potential space between parietal and visceral peritoneum containing serous fluid.

Mediastinum

Medial space in the thoracic cavity containing the heart and major vessels.

Pericardium

Two-layered serous membrane around the heart; parietal and visceral layers with a pericardial cavity.

Pleura

Two-layered serous membranes around the lungs; parietal and visceral pleura with a pleural cavity.

Pleural cavity

Space between parietal and visceral pleura containing serous fluid.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity housing lungs and heart, divided by the diaphragm.

Abdominal cavity

Superior region containing most digestive organs and kidneys.

Pelvic cavity

Inferior region containing distal large intestine, urinary organs, and reproductive organs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Combined cavity of the abdomen and pelvis.

Abdominopelvic regions

Nine regional divisions used to describe locations within the abdomen and pelvis.

Abdominopelvic quadrants

Four quadrants (RUQ, RLQ, LUQ, LLQ) dividing the abdomen for reference.

Organ systems

The 12 body systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, digestive, male reproductive, female reproductive.