Introduction to the Human Body - Chapter 1

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary and foundational concepts of human anatomy and physiology from Chapter 1, including life functions, organ systems, homeostasis, and anatomical terminology.

Anatomy

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

Physiology

The study of the function of the body and how parts carry out life-sustaining activities.

Gross (Macroscopic) Anatomy

The study of large, visible structures, which includes regional, systemic, and surface anatomy.

Cytology

A subdivision of microscopic anatomy that focuses on the study of cells.

Histology

A subdivision of microscopic anatomy that focuses on the study of tissues.

Embryology

A subdivision of developmental anatomy that focuses on changes before birth.

Auscultate

An anatomical study technique involving listening to internal body sounds.

Organization

A characteristic of a living thing involving a condition in which there are specific relationships and functions.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions that occur within body cells, including catabolism and anabolism.

Responsiveness

The ability to sense changes and adjust or respond to stimuli.

Differentiation

A developmental change where a cell or structure moves from a general state to a specific state.

Morphogenesis

A developmental change in the shape of tissues or organs.

Contractility

Movement of body parts or substances facilitated by skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.

Digestion

The breakdown of ingested foodstuffs and the absorption of simple molecules into the blood.

Excretion

The removal of wastes from metabolism and digestion, such as urea, carbon dioxide, and feces.

Tissue Level

The level of structural organization where groups of similar types of cells consist of tissues.

Organ Level

The level of structural organization where organs are made up of different types of tissues.

Integumentary System

The organ system that encloses internal body structures and is the site of many sensory receptors; includes hair, skin, and nails.

Endocrine System

The organ system consists of glands, such as the pituitary and thyroid, that secrete hormones to regulate bodily processes.

Lymphatic System

The organ system that returns fluid to the blood and defends against pathogens; includes the thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continuous changes in the environment.

Set point

The ideal normal value of a variable in the body.

Receptor (sensor)

The component of a control mechanism that monitors the value of a variable and responds to stimuli.

Control center

The component that determines the set point, receives input from the receptor, and determines the appropriate response.

Effector

The component that receives output from the control center and provides the means to respond to a stimulus.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism where the response reduces or shuts off the original stimulus, such as the control of blood glucose or body temperature.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism where the response enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus, such as childbirth or blood clotting.

Anatomical Position

A standard position where the body is erect, face forward, feet together, and palms face forward.

Supine

A body position where the individual is lying face upward.

Prone

A body position where the individual is lying face downward.

Sagittal plane

A plane that divides the body vertically into right and left parts.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A plane that divides the body vertically into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body horizontally ($90^{\circ}$ to vertical) into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal Body Cavity

The cavity that includes the cranial cavity and the vertebral cavity.

Serous membrane (serosa)

Thin, double-layered membranes including the parietal serosa and the visceral serosa.

Pericardium

The specific serous membrane associated with the heart.

Radiography (X-ray)

An imaging technique that produces a shadowy negative of internal body structures.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging technique using magnetism and radio waves to look for varying alignment of protons in soft tissues.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging technique using radioactively labeled glucose to calculate the metabolic activity of cells.