Intro to Anatomy and Phyisology

Terms and definitions

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body and body parts as well as their relationship tone another.

Physiology

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

Homeostasis

The tendency of the body to maintain internal stability. The body is in homeostatic balance when it is functioning properly

Negative Feedback Mechanisms

Homeostasis is usually controlled by this. An imbalance is corrected by a response that restores balance

Stimulus

Produces a change to a variable (the factor being regulated)

Sensor or Receptor

Detects the change. The receptor monitors the environment and responds to change (stimuli)

Input

Information travels to the control center. The control center (usually in the brain) determines the appropriate response and course of action

Output

Information sent from the control center travels to the effector

Effector

Sends the response that balances out the original stimulus to maintain homeostasis

Positive Feedback

The body initiates a response that increases the imbalance until a specific goal is reached

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in living things

Tissues

Are groups of cells that work together to perform a particular functions.

Organs

Composed of two or more tissue types and perform a specific function for the body.

Integumentary System

Protects deeper tissue from injury. Aids in secretion of waste. Skin and associated structures; External body covering.

Skeletal System

Provides a framework the muscles use to cause movement. Protects and supports body organs. Forms blood cells. Bones, cartilage, joints.

Muscular System

Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth muscles

\
Smooth muscle controls involuntary actions of internal organs such as stomach churning.

\
Cardiac muscles contracts to force blood around the body

\
Allow movenment and facial expressions

Nervous System

Brain, Spinal cord and nerves

\
Fast - acting control system of the body

\
Responds to internal and external changes

Endocrine System

Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and Blood vessels

\
Heart pumps blood

\
Blood carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes and other materials to and from cells

Lymphatic System

Lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels

\
Returns fluid leaked from blood

\
Clean lymphatic fluid of bacteria and foreign matter

Respiratory System

Nose, Pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs.

\
Exchanges gases with the external environment.

\
Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines

\
Breaks food down into simple units that can be absorbed by the blood for distribution to body cells

\
Eliminates undigested food as solid waste

Urinary System

Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra

\
Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the blood and body

\
Regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood

Reproduction System

Function is the production of offspring

\
Males: Penis and Testes

\
Females: Ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes

Anatomical Position

Standing, face-front, feet parallel, arms at sides with palms facing forward.

Frontal

Forehead

Ocular or Orbital

eye

Nasal

Nose

Otic

Ear

Buccal

cheek

Cranial

Skull

Facial

Face

Cephalic

Head

Oral

Mouth

Mental

chin

Axillary

armpit

Brachial

arm

Antecubital

Front of elbow

Antebrachial

Forearm

Thoracic or Thorax

Chest

Mammary

breast

Abdominal

abdomen

Umbilical

Navel

Pelvic

Pelvis

Truck includes:

Thoracic

Mammary

Abdominal

Umbilical

Pelvic

Carpal

wrist

Palmer

palm

Manual

Hand

Pollex

Thumb

Digits Phalanges

Fingers

Patellar

Kneecap

Crural

Leg

Tarsal

ankle

Phalanges

Toes

Hallux

Big toe

Inguinal

Groin

Public

Pubis

Femoral

Thigh

Pedal

Foot

Acromial

Shoulder

Dorsal

Back

Olecranal

Back of elbow

Lumbar

loin

Cervical

Neck

Gluteal

Buttock

Popliteal

Back of Knee

Sural

Calf

Calcaneal

Heel of foot

Plantar

sole of foot

Ventral Cavity

Much larger and contains all the structure within the chest and abdomen.

Thoracic Cavity

Separated from the Abdominopelvic cavity by the diaphragm

Abdominal Cavity

No actual physical structure that divides the abdominal cavity from the pelvic cavity

Right Hypochondriac Region

Upper right corner of the abdominopelvic cavity

Right lumbar region

Right center

Right iliac region

right bottom corner

Epigastric region

upper center

Umbilical region

Center

Hypogastric region

bottom center

Left hypochondriac region

upper left corner

Left lumbar region

left center

Left iliac region

left bottom corner

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

\
Typically used in reference to features on the trunk of the body. They are also used on individual structures such as organs or bones

Inferior

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body.

\
Typically used in reference to features on the trunk of the body. They are also used on individual structures such as organs or bones

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

\
Typically used in reference to features on the appendages(arms and legs). Is used for the feature or body parts that is farthest away from the trunk of the body.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

\
Typically used in reference to features on the appendages(arms and legs). is used for the feature or body part that is farthest away from the trunk of the body.

Medial

Towards the midline of the body; on the inner side.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side

Posterior

Towards or at the backside of the body; Behind

Anterior

Towards or at the front of the body; in front or