Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory: Chapter 1 - The Human Organism

Flashcards covering anatomical terminology, levels of structural organization, body systems, homeostatic mechanisms, directional terms, body planes, cavities, and serous membranes.

Anatomy

Investigates the body structure; the term means 'to dissect'.

Physiology

Investigates the processes and functions of the body.

Human Physiology

Studies the human organism.

Systemic Physiology

Studies the body organ systems.

Cellular Physiology

Studies the body cells.

Systemic Anatomy

Studies the body organ systems.

Regional Anatomy

Studies body regions.

Surface Anatomy

Studies external features (e.g., bone projections).

Anatomical Imaging

Using technologies (e.g., x-rays, ultrasound, MRI) to visualize internal body structures.

Chemical Level

The smallest level of organization, consisting of atoms, chemical bonds, and molecules.

Cellular Level

Level of organization consisting of cells, which are the basic units of life containing compartments and organelles such as mitochondria and nucleus.

Tissue Level

Group of cells with similar structure and function plus extracellular substances they release.

Organ Level

Two or more tissue types acting together to perform one or more functions.

Organ-System Level

Group of organs contributing to some function.

Organism Level

All organ systems working together, including associated microorganisms such as intestinal bacteria.

Four Broad Tissue Types

Epithelial, Connective, Muscular, and Nervous.

Integumentary System

Provides protection, regulates temperature, prevents water loss, and helps produce vitamin D; consists of skin, hair, nails, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands.

Skeletal System

Provides protection and support, allows body movements, produces blood cells, and stores minerals and adipose tissue; consists of bones, associated cartilages, ligaments, and joints.

Muscular System

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

Lymphatic System

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

Respiratory System

Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and air and regulates blood pH; consists of the lungs and respiratory passages.

Digestive System

Performs the mechanical and chemical processes of digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of wastes; consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs.

Nervous System

A major regulatory system that detects sensations and controls movements, physiological processes, and intellectual functions; consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors.

Endocrine System

A major regulatory system that influences metabolism, growth, reproduction, and many other functions; consists of endocrine glands, such as the pituitary, that secrete hormones.

Cardiovascular System

Transports nutrients, waste products, gases, and hormones throughout the body; plays a role in the immune response and the regulation of body temperature; consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Urinary System

Removes waste products from the blood and regulates blood pH, ion balance, and water balance; consists of the kidneys, urinary bladder, and ureters.

Female Reproductive System

Produces oocytes and is the site of fertilization and fetal development; produces milk for the newborn; produces hormones that influence sexual function and behaviors; consists of ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, mammary glands, and associated structures.

Male Reproductive System

Produces and transfers sperm cells to the female and produces hormones that influence sexual functions and behaviors; consists of the testes, accessory structures, ducts, and penis.

Organization

Functional interrelationships between parts in living organisms.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical and physical changes sustaining an organism, including the ability to acquire and use energy in support of these changes.

Responsiveness

Ability to sense and respond to environmental changes in both internal and external environments.

Growth

Ability to increase in size, including cells, groups of cells, and extracellular materials.

Development

Changes in form and size, as well as changes in cell structure and function from generalized to specialized.

Differentiation

Changes in cell structure and function from generalized to specialized.

Reproduction

Formation of new cells or new organisms, generation of new individuals, and tissue repair.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a constant internal environment despite fluctuations in the external or internal environment.

Variables

Measures of body properties that may change in value (e.g., body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure).

Set Point

The normal, or average value of a variable.

Normal Range

The normal extent of increase or decrease of a variable around a set point.

Negative Feedback

The main mechanism used in homeostatic regulation involving detection of deviation away from set point and correction or reversal of deviation toward set point.

Receptors

Structures that monitor the value of a variable.

Control Center

Compares the value of a variable against the set point and initiates a response via an effector if necessary.

Effector

Produces a response that maintains homeostasis.

Positive Feedback

Mechanisms that occur when the initial stimulus further stimulates the response, causing progressive deviation away from the set point outside of normal range.

Anatomical Position

Refers to a person standing erect with face and palms forward, used as the basis for all relational descriptions.

Superior

Above (also referred to as cephalad).

Inferior

Below (also referred to as caudal).

Anterior

Front (also referred to as ventral).

Posterior

Back (also referred to as dorsal).

Medial

Close to the midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Proximal

Close to the point of attachment.

Distal

Far from the point of attachment.

Superficial

Structure close to the surface of the body.

Deep

Structure toward the interior of the body.

Sagittal Plane

Separates the body into right and left parts.

Median Plane

A sagittal plane along the midline that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Transverse Plane

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

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that separates the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Thoracic Cavity

Space within the chest wall and diaphragm containing the heart, lungs, thymus gland, esophagus, and trachea.

Mediastinum

Space between the lungs containing the heart, thymus gland, esophagus, and trachea.

Abdominal Cavity

Space between the diaphragm and pelvis containing the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys.

Pelvic Cavity

Space within the pelvis containing the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and part of the large intestine.

Visceral Serous Membrane

The inner layer of serous membrane that covers organs.

Parietal Serous Membrane

The outer layer of serous membrane lining trunk cavities.

Mesenteries

Double layers of visceral peritoneum that cover and anchor organs.

Pericardium

Serous membrane surrounding the heart.

Pleura

Serous membrane surrounding the lungs.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane surrounding the abdominopelvic cavity and its organs.