Chapter 1

Anatomy

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.

Physiology

The study of the functions of body parts and how they work together.

Noninvasive techniques

Methods used to assess anatomy and physiology without penetrating the body, such as palpation, auscultation, and percussion.

Palpation

A noninvasive technique involving the use of hands to feel body parts for abnormalities.

Auscultation

A noninvasive technique that involves listening to the sounds made by internal organs, typically using a stethoscope.

Percussion

A noninvasive technique that involves tapping on a surface to determine the underlying structure's condition.

Levels of structural organization

The hierarchy of complexity in biological systems, ranging from chemical (least complex) to organism (most complex).

Integumentary system

The body system that includes the skin, hair, nails, and associated glands.

Skeletal system

The body system composed of bones and cartilage that provides structure and support.

Muscular system

The body system responsible for movement, consisting of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.

Nervous system

The body system that controls and coordinates body activities through electrical signals.

Endocrine system

The body system that regulates bodily functions through hormones released into the bloodstream.

Cardiovascular system

The body system that circulates blood and lymph throughout the body, consisting of the heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic system

The body system that helps defend against infection and maintains fluid balance.

Digestive system

The body system responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.

Urinary system

The body system that removes waste products from the blood and regulates water and electrolyte balance.

Reproductive system

The body system involved in producing offspring and regulating sexual characteristics.

Basic Life Processes

Characteristics that distinguish living organisms, including metabolism, responsiveness, movement, growth, differentiation, and reproduction.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body, including catabolism (breaking down molecules) and anabolism (building up molecules).

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes, controlled by the nervous and endocrine systems.

Feedback system

A process that uses information from one part of the system to regulate another part, consisting of a sensor, control center, and effector.

Positive feedback system

A feedback mechanism that amplifies a response, leading to an increased effect; an example is childbirth.

Negative feedback system

A feedback mechanism that counteracts a change, maintaining stability; an example is the regulation of body temperature.