Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation Review

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Chapter 1 Anatomy & Physiology review material covering structural levels, organ systems, directional orientation, anatomical landmarks, feedback mechanisms, and body cavities.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body, its parts, and their structural relationships to one another.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work or function.

Levels of Structural Organization

The hierarchy of body structure ordered from simplest to most complex: chemical level, cellular level, tissue level, organ level, organ system level, and organismal level.

Homeostasis

The state of relatively stable internal body conditions maintained by physiological processes despite continuous changes in the external environment.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

A homeostatic control mechanism that shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity; it is the most common feedback mechanism in the human body.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

A homeostatic feedback mechanism that increases or accentuates the original stimulus, pushing the variable further from its original value.

Anatomical Position

The standard body reference position in which the body is erect, feet parallel, arms hanging at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning toward or at the front of the body; in humans, anterior and ventral refer to the same surface.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward or at the backside of the body; in humans, posterior and dorsal refer to the same surface.

Superior

Directional orientation term meaning toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior

Directional orientation term meaning away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

Medial

Directional orientation term meaning toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Directional orientation term meaning away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Intermediate

Directional orientation term meaning between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Directional orientation term meaning closer to the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Directional orientation term meaning farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial

Directional orientation term meaning toward or at the body surface; external.

Deep

Directional orientation term meaning away from the body surface; more internal.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Posteriorly located cavity that protects nervous system organs; subdivided into the cranial cavity and the spinal (vertebral) cavity.

Ventral Body Cavity

Anteriorly located cavity that takes up more space in the body than the dorsal cavity; subdivided into the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system consisting of the heart and blood vessels that transports blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes throughout the body.

Digestive System

Organ system containing the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and accessory digestive organs that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Endocrine System

Organ system composed of glands (such as pituitary, thyroid, and adrenals) that secrete hormones regulating growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Integumentary System

Organ system consisting of skin, hair, and nails that forms the external body covering and protects deeper tissues.

Lymphatic System

Organ system containing lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils that returns leaked fluids to blood and participates in immunity.

Muscular System

Organ system consisting of skeletal muscles that allows locomotion, facial expressions, posture maintenance, and heat production. movement, posture, and internal body functions

Nervous System

Fast-acting body control system composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that responds to internal and external changes.

Reproductive System

Organ system composed of testes or ovaries and associated structures dedicated to producing offspring.

Respiratory System

Organ system consisting of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs that supplies blood with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

Skeletal System

Organ system composed of bones, cartilages, and joints that supports body structures, protects internal organs, and forms blood cells.

Urinary System

Organ system including the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra that removes nitrogenous wastes and regulates water and electrolyte balance.

Antecubital

Anterior body landmark corresponding to the front surface of the elbow.

Axillary

Anterior/ventral body landmark corresponding to the armpit region.

Brachial

Body landmark corresponding to the arm.

Buccal

Anterior body landmark corresponding to the cheek area.

Calcaneal

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the heel of the foot.

Caudal

Directional landmark corresponding to the tail or lower part of the body trunk.

Cephalic

Body landmark corresponding to the head region.

Cervical

Body landmark corresponding to the neck region.

Deltoid

Body landmark corresponding to the curve of the shoulder.

Digital

Body landmark corresponding to the fingers or toes.

Femoral

Body landmark corresponding to the thigh.

Gluteal

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the buttock region.

Lumbar

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the lower back area between the ribs and hips.

Occipital

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the posterior surface of the head or base of the skull.

Patella

Anterior body landmark corresponding to the kneecap / anterior knee region.

Plantar

Inferior body landmark corresponding to the sole of the foot.

Popliteal

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the posterior knee area behind the joint.

Pubic

Anterior body landmark corresponding to the genital region.

Scapular

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the shoulder blade region.

Sternal

Anterior body landmark corresponding to the breastbone area.

Sural

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the posterior surface of the lower leg; the calf.

Umbilical

Anterior body landmark corresponding to the navel region.

Vertebral

Posterior body landmark corresponding to the area of the spinal column.

Abdominopelvic Regions

The 9 structural divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity: right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac, right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar, right iliac (inguinal), hypogastric (pubic), and left iliac (inguinal).

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

The 4 clinical divisions of the abdominopelvic cavity: Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), and Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ).

Body Cavities Diagram

Anatomical diagram identifying primary body cavities: A = Cranial cavity, B = Spinal (Vertebral) cavity, C = Thoracic cavity, D = Diaphragm, E = Abdominal cavity, F = Pelvic cavity.