An Introduction to the Human Body

Flashcards about the introduction to the human body, covering anatomy, physiology, levels of structural organization, functions for human life, requirements, homeostasis, anatomical terminology, and medical imaging.

What is Anatomy?

The study of the FORM of living things.

What is Gross Anatomy?

The science of macroscopic anatomy; studying large body structures visible with the naked eye.

What is Microscopic Anatomy?

Concerned with structures too small to be seen with the naked eye.

What is physiology?

The study of the FUNCTION of the parts that make up living things.

Why are anatomy and physiology closely interrelated?

Anatomical details are significant only because each has an effect on function, and physiological mechanisms can be fully understood only in terms of the underlying structural relationships.

What is the chemical level of structural organization?

The least complex level; composed of atoms, the smallest stable units of matter arranged to form molecules and compounds that possess specific functional properties and unique three-dimensional shapes.

What is the cellular level of structural organization?

Interactions between molecules and compounds form the organelles of cells. Cells are the structural building block of all plants and animals, can be produced only from pre-existing cells, and are the smallest units capable of performing all vital life functions.

What is the tissue level of structural organization?

Specialized groups of cells and cell products that work together to perform one or more specific functions.

What is the organ level of structural organization?

Consists of two or more tissues working in combination to perform several functions. The type of tissues that compose the organ dictates the function of the organ.

What is the organ system level of structural organization?

Organs interact to form organ systems. Organs and the organ systems they compose perform vital life functions of the body.

What are the components of the integumentary system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of skin, hair, and nails; external support and protection of the body and temperature regulation.

What are the components of the skeletal system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of bones; internal support and flexible framework for body movement, forms blood cells, and stores minerals.

What are the components of the muscular system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of muscles attached to the skeleton; locomotion, support, and body heat production.

What are the components of the respiratory system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of the lungs, trachea, larynx and nasal passages; exchange of respiratory gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the air and circulating blood.

What are the components of the nervous system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves; directs immediate response to stimuli, usually by coordinating the activities of other organ systems.

What are the components of the circulatory system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of heart and blood vessels; internal transport of nutrients and oxygen to body cells while wastes and carbon dioxide are transported away from body cells.

What are the components of the lymphatic/immune system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, bone marrow, and tonsils; houses the immune system cells of the body, provides protection against infection and disease, transports tissue fluid (called lymph) and absorbs fats.

What are the components of the endocrine system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of hormone secreting glands such as the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal gland, pancreas, pineal, etc.; secretion of hormones that direct long-term changes in the activities of other organ systems.

What are the components of the urinary system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; filters the blood to remove nitrogenous wastes, eliminates excess water, salts, and waste products, and controls pH and electrolyte balance.

What are the components of the digestive system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of the salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, and gallbladder. Intake, breakdown, and absorption of food in order to acquire nutrients, minerals, vitamins and water and the elimination of feces.

What are the components of the reproductive system, and what are its major functions?

Composed of ovaries, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands in females AND the testes, scrotum, prostate gland, seminal vesicles and penis in the male; production of sperm and egg as well as secretion of sex hormones and copulation.

What is an organism?

A living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life.

What are the characteristics of life?

Organization, metabolism, responsiveness, movement, development, growth, and reproduction.

Define metabolism.

All chemical reactions in a cell/organism (both anabolism and catabolism).

What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism?

Anabolic – Smaller, simpler molecules are combined to create a larger, more complex substance (requires energy input). Catabolic – Larger, more complex substances are broken down into smaller, simpler, molecules (releases energy).

What is ATP?

A key chemical compound used to store and release energy. Conversion of ADP to ATP is anabolic. Conversion of ATP to ADP is catabolic.

What is responsiveness?

The ability of an organism to adjust to changes in its internal and external environments.

What is development?

All of the changes the body goes through in life. Including growth and repair, and differentiation – Unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function to perform specific tasks.

What are the essential nutrients for humans?

Organic compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleotides, vitamins) and inorganic compounds (water and minerals).

Define homeostasis.

Maintaining a “steady state”; constancy within narrow limits; balance or equilibrium; a dynamic state in which internal conditions remain relatively constant despite changes in the external conditions.

What are the three components of homeostatic regulation?

Receptor, control center, and effector.

How do negative feedback mechanisms help maintain homeostasis?

Negative feedback mechanisms shuts off or reduces the original stimulus, helping to stabilize situation; essential for maintaining homeostasis.

How do positive feedback mechanisms function?

They intensify or enhance of original stimuli; amplify and reinforce a change brought on by the stimulus; not typically used for homeostasis.

Define myo-.

Muscle

Define nephr-.

Kidney

Define -ology.

The study of

Define ost-, oste-, osteo-.

Bone

Define oto-.

Ear

Define path-, -pathy, patho-.

Disease

Define peri-.

Around

Define phago-.

To eat

Define -phil, -philia.

Love

Define -phot, photo-.

Light

Define physio-.

Nature

Define pre-.

Before

Define pulmo-.

Lung

Define retro-.

Backward

Define sarco-.

Flesh

Define scler-, sclera-.

Hard

Define -scope.

To view

Define sub-.

Below

Define super-.

Above

Define -trophy.

Nourishment

Define vas-.

Vessel

Term: Abdominal

Anterior torso below diaphragm

Term: Acromial

Point of shoulder

Term: Antebrachial

Forearm

Term: Antecubital

Front of elbow

Term: Axillary

Armpit

Term: Brachial

Arm

Term: Buccal

Cheek

Term: Calcaneal

Heel

Term: Carpal

Wrist

Term: Cephalic

Head

Term: Cervical

Neck

Term: Costal

Rib

Term: Coxal

Hip

Term: Cranial

Skull

Term: Crural

Leg

Term: Cubital

Back of elbow

Term: Cutaneous

Skin

Term: Digital

Fingers or toes

Term: Dorsum

Back

Term: Epigastric

Upper middle area of abdomen

Term: Facial

Face

Term: Femoral

Thigh

Term: Fibular

Side of leg

Term: Gluteal

Buttock

Term: Hallux

Great toe

Term: Inguinal

Groin

Term: Lumbar

Lower back

Term: Mammary

Breast

Term: Manus

Hand

Term: Mastoid

Below and behind ear

Term: Mental

Chin

Term: Nasal

Nose

Term: Occipital

Back of lower skull

Term: Olecranal

Back of elbow

Term: Oral

Mouth

Term: Orbital

Eye

Term: Otic

Ear

Term: Palmar

Palm of hand

Term: Patellar

Knee cap

Term: Pectoral

Chest

Term: Pedal

Foot

Term: Pelvic

Lower torso

Term: Perineal

Area between anus and genitals

Term: Phalangeal

Fingers or toes

Term: Plantar

Sole of foot

Term: Pollex

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