Liz Anatomy chapter 1 combined set

Macroscopic anatomy

The study of large, visible body structures without the use of magnification.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Cell physiology

The study of the functions of living cells.

Systemic physiology

The study of the functions of specific organ systems.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Renal physiology

The study of kidney function.

Cells

The basic unit of life.

Metabolism

Chemical reactions in cells, including respiration, digestion, circulation, and excretion.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Receptors

Components of a homeostatic mechanism that sense change.

Negative feedback

The most common homeostatic mechanism that counteracts changes to restore stability (e.g., thermostat analogy).

Positive feedback

A homeostatic mechanism that amplifies changes temporarily (e.g., blood clotting, childbirth).

Axial portion

The anatomical division of the body comprising the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular portion

The anatomical division of the body comprising the limbs.

Diaphragm

The muscular structure that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Parietal membrane

A double-layered membrane that lines the wall of a body cavity.

Visceral membrane

A double-layered membrane that directly covers internal organs.

Serous membrane

Membranes that function to reduce friction between organs and cavity walls.

Integumentary system

Organ system composed of skin, hair, and nails that provides protection and temperature regulation.

Skeletal system

Organ system composed of bones and ligaments that offers support, protection, and blood cell production.

Nervous system

Organ system composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that regulates sensory reception, integration, and muscle/gland control.

Endocrine system

Organ system composed of glands producing hormones for slower but longer-lasting body regulation.

Anatomical position

Standard body reference posture where the subject is standing erect, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing out.

Prone position

Position of a person lying face down on their stomach.

Supine position

Position of a person lying face up.

Sagittal plane

A section that divides the body or organ into right and left portions (midsagittal divides into equal halves).

Frontal (coronal) plane

A section that divides the body or organ into front and back portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

A section that divides the body or organ into upper and lower portions.

Right upper quadrant

Abdominal quadrant containing the gallbladder and liver.

Right lower quadrant

Abdominal quadrant containing the appendix.

Pes region

Anatomical region referring to the foot.

Anatomy

Study of the structures of the body.

Physiology

Study of how the body and its parts function.

Cytology

Study of cells.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Pathophysiology

Study of how disease changes normal body function.

Atom

Smallest unit of an element.

Molecule

Two or more atoms chemically joined together.

Macromolecule

Large biological molecule made from smaller molecules, such as proteins or DNA.

Organelle

Specialized structure inside a cell that performs a specific job.

Cell

Smallest living unit of the body.

Tissue

Group of similar cells working together.

Organ

Structure made of multiple tissues working together for a specific function.

Organ system

Group of organs working together.

Organism

An entire living thing.

Growth

Increase in body size or number of cells.

Reproduction

Production of new cells or a new organism.

Responsiveness

Ability to detect and respond to changes.

Movement

Change in position of the body or substances within the body.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body.

Digestion

Breaking food into forms that can be absorbed and used.

Circulation

Movement of blood, nutrients, gases, and other substances throughout the body.

Excretion

Removal of metabolic wastes.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment.

Receptor

Detects a change or stimulus in the body.

Set point

Normal value or range the body tries to maintain.

Effector

Muscle, gland, or organ that responds to a change and helps restore homeostasis.

Feedback mechanism

Process that regulates a body condition by responding to changes.

Negative feedback

Response reverses the original change and brings the body back toward its set point.

Positive feedback

Response intensifies the original change until an event is completed.

Anatomical position

Standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, with palms facing forward.

Bilateral

Present on both sides of the body.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body.

Superior / Cranial

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior / Caudal

Toward the feet or lower part of the body.

Anterior / Ventral

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior / Dorsal

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the body’s midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the side.

Intermediate

Located between two structures.

Proximal

Closer to the point where a limb attaches to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point where a limb attaches to the trunk.

Superficial

Toward or near the body’s surface.

Deep

Farther from the body surface; more internal.

External

Toward or on the outside.

Axial region

Head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular region

Arms and legs, including the appendages attached to the axial body.

Body cavity

Internal space containing and protecting organs.

Dorsal body cavity

Posterior cavity containing the brain and spinal cord.

Cranial cavity

Space inside the skull containing the brain.

Vertebral / Spinal cavity

Space inside the vertebral column containing the spinal cord.

Ventral body cavity

Anterior cavity containing most internal organs.

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity containing the lungs, heart, and related structures.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Large cavity below the diaphragm containing the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Contains many digestive organs, including the stomach, liver, intestines, and spleen.

Pelvic cavity

Contains the urinary bladder, internal reproductive organs, and rectum.

Oral cavity

Mouth.

Nasal cavity

Space within and behind the nose.

Orbital cavities

Cavities containing the eyes.

Middle ear cavities

Small spaces within the temporal bones containing the middle-ear structures.

Serous membrane

Thin membrane that lines a body cavity and covers organs within it.

Parietal layer

Serous membrane layer that lines the wall of a body cavity.

Visceral layer

Serous membrane layer that covers the surface of an organ.

Pleura

Serous membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity around them.

Pericardium

Membrane surrounding the heart.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity and covering many abdominal organs.

Midsagittal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions.

Frontal / Coronal plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into front and back portions.