Nursing Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards to review key concepts in anatomy and physiology, covering anatomical terms, body regions, planes, cavities, structural units, organ systems, and homeostasis.

Anatomy

Study of body structure; Ana = to dissect

Systemic Anatomy

Study of organs per system

Regional Anatomy

Study of organs per region / area

Surface Anatomy

Study of external features

Physiology

Study of the functions of body parts; understand body's respond to stimuli

Pathology

Study of the disease of the body, changes in the body are called symptoms

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Anatomical Position

Erect position of the body, face directed forward, arms at the side, palms of the hand facing forward, feet facing forward

Anterior/Ventral

Front

Posterior / Dorsal

Back

Superficial

External

Deep

Internal

Cephalad / Cranial

Head end - Superior

Caudal

Tail end - Inferior

Medial

Toward midline

Lateral

Away midline

Proximal

Toward point of attachment (trunk)

Distal

Away point of attachment (trunk)

Supine

Lying on your back

Prone

Lying on your belly

Frontal

Forehead

Orbital

Eye

Nasal

Nose

Oral

Mouth

Otic

Ear

Buccal

Cheek

Mental

Chin

Cranial

Skull

Cervical

Front of the neck/spine

Clavicular

Collarbone

Occipital

Base of the skull

Nuchal

Back of the neck

Axillary

Armpit

Brachial

Arm

Antecubital

Front of elbow

Antebrachial

Forearm

Carpal

Wrist

Manual

Hand

Palmar

Palm

Digital

Fingers

Acromial

Point of shoulder

Olecranon

Elbow

Dorsum

Back of the hand

Coxal

Hip

Femoral

Thigh/femur

Patellar

Kneecap

Crural

Leg

Pedal

Foot

Talus

Ankle

Dorsum

Top of foot

Digital

Toes

Popliteal

Hallow behind the knee

Sural

Calf

Plantar

Sole

Calcaneal

Heel or calcaneus

Thoracic

Thorax

Pectoral

Chest

Sternal

Sternum / breast bone

Mammary

Breast

Abdominal

Abdomen

Umbilical

Navel

Pelvic

Pelvis

Inguinal

Groin

Pubic

Genital

Dorsal

Back

Scapular

Shoulder blade

Vertebral

Spinal column

Lumbar

Lloin of lower back

Sacral

Between the hips

Gluteal

Buttock

Perineal

Perineum

Frontal/Coronal Plane

Anterior & posterior

Midsagittal/Sagittal

Left & right

Transverse Horizontal

Superior & inferior

Longitudinal Section

Cut through the long axis of the organ

Transverse Section

Cut at the right angles of /to the long axis

Oblique Section

Slant of Diagonal

Cavities

Spaces within the body that houses & protects internal organs

Cranial Cavity

Contains the brain

Spinal Cavity

Spinal cord

Pleural Cavity

Lungs

Pericardial Cavity

Heart

Abdominal Cavity

Liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas & intestine

Pelvic Cavity

Urinary bladder, large intestine, & the internal reproductive organs

Atoms

Smallest units of elements

Molecules

Formed when atoms combined through chemical bonds

Cells

Smallest living units of biologic organization made of structures that perform the activities of life

Tissues

Made up of similar cells that perform similar functions

Organs

Epithelial, connective, muscular, & nervous tissues group together in different proportions

Systems

Group of organs makes up a body system

Human organism

All of the organ systems together constitute a functioning human being

Integumentary System

Provides protection, regulates temperature, prevents water loss, helps produce vitamin D. Consist of skin, hair, nails, & sweat glands

Skeletal System

Provides protection & support, allows body movement, produces blood cells, stores minerals & adipose tissue. Consists bones, associated cartilages, ligaments & joints

Muscular System

Produces body movements, maintains posture, produces body heat. Consists of muscles attached to the skeleton by tendons

Lymphatic System

Removes foreign substances from the blood & lymph, combats disease, maintains fluid balance, absorbs dietary fats from the digestive tract. Consists of lymphatic vessels, lymphatic nodes, & other organs.

Respiratory System

Exchanges oxygen & CO₂ between the blood and air, regulates blood pH. Consists of lungs & respiratory passages

Digestive System

Performs the mechanical & chemical processes of digestion, absorption of nutrients, elimination of wastes. Consists of mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, & accessory organs

Nervous System

A major regulations system that detect sensation & control movements, can also detect physiological processes & intellectual functions. Consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, & sensory receptors.

Endocrine System

A major regulatory system that influenced metabolism, growth, reproduction. I many other functions. consists of glands, such as pituitary gland