Anatomy & Physiology: Introduction to the Human Body

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts introduced in the lecture on anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

Studies the form and structure of the body.

Physiology

Examines how the body functions.

6 Levels of Organization

chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal.

Chemical Level

Simplest level, consisting of atoms and molecules.

Cellular Level

2nd level The smallest living structures, which are cells.

Tissue Level

3rd level Groups of similar cells performing common functions.

Organ Level

4th level Two or more tissue types performing specific functions.

Organ System Level

5th level Related organs working together to achieve a common function.

Anatomical Directions

Terms that describe the position of the body: superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, proximal, distal, superficial, deep.

Anatomic Position

Upright stance with feet parallel, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

Homeostasis

The ability to maintain a consistent internal environment in response to changing conditions.

Negative Feedback

Controls most processes in the body, negating changes in the internal environment.

Positive Feedback

Enhances a change in the internal environment until a climactic event occurs.

Anatomical Regions

Specific terms used to describe locations on the human body (e.g., cranial, thoracic, abdominal).

Serous Membrane

Lining of the ventral cavity with two layers (parietal and visceral).

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Organismal Level

Highest level of structrual organization all body systems function interdependently

Umbilical region

The region of the abdomen surrounding the navel, often used as a reference point in medical assessments.

Epigastric region

The upper central region of the abdomen, located above the umbilical region and below the thoracic cavity. It is often associated with the stomach and other digestive organs.

hypogastric region

The lower central region of the abdomen, located below the umbilical region. It is often associated with the bladder and reproductive organs.

right hypochondriac region

The upper right region of the abdomen, located below the ribs. It is associated with the liver, gallbladder, and right kidney.

left hypochondriac region

The upper left region of the abdomen, located below the ribs. It is associated with the stomach, spleen, and left kidney.

right lumbar region

The middle right region of the abdomen, located between the hypochondriac and iliac regions. It is associated with the ascending colon and right kidney.

left lumbar region

The middle left region of the abdomen, situated between the hypochondriac and iliac regions. It is associated with the descending colon and left kidney.

right iliac region

The lower right region of the abdomen, located below the lumbar region. It is associated with the appendix and cecum.

Left iliac region

The lower left region of the abdomen, located below the lumbar region. It is associated with the sigmoid colon and left ovary or spermatic cord.

receptor

detects changes in a variable

control center

processes information from receptors and determines the appropriate response.

effector

structure that brings about changes to alter the stumulus

Dorsal Cavity

the body cavity located toward the back of the body that contains the cranial and spinal cavities.

Ventral Cavity

the body cavity located toward the front of the body that contains the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

the part of the ventral cavity located above the diaphragm, which houses the lungs and heart.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

the part of the ventral cavity located below the diaphragm, which contains digestive organs, reproductive organs, and other structures.

Parietal layer

the outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the walls of the body cavity.

Visceral layer

the inner layer of a serous membrane that covers the organs within the body cavity.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse Plane

a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior sections.

Midsagittal Plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Sagittal Plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left sections, which may or may not be equal.

Oblique Plane

a diagonal plane that divides the body into sections at an angle, not parallel to the sagittal, frontal, or transverse planes.

Axial Region

the region of the body that includes the head, neck, and trunk, as opposed to the limbs.

Appendicular Region

Upper and lower limbs

Superior

Which term refers to a structure being closer to the head?

Toward the midline

What does 'medial' mean?

Anterior

The sternum (breastbone) is ________ to the heart.

Distal

Which term describes a structure farther from the trunk or point of origin?

Posterior

The spine is located on which surface of the body?

Proximal

The elbow is ________ to the wrist.

Medial

The nose is ________ to the ears.

Superficial

The skin is ________ to the muscles.

Anterior

The stomach is ________ to the spine.

Distal

The fingers are ________ to the elbow.

Superior

toward the head, upper, above

Inferior

toward the feet, lower, below

Anterior

front, in front of (same as ventral in humans)

Posterior

back, in back of (same as dorsal in humans)

Medial

toward the midline of a structure

Lateral

away from the midline or toward the side of a structure

Proximal

toward or nearest the trunk, or nearest the point of origin of a structure (Extremities only)

Distal

away from or farthest from the trunk, or farthest from a structure’s point of origin (Extremities only)

Superficial

nearer the body surface

Deep

farther away from the body surface

Tissue

A ____________ can be described as a group of cells function together for a common purpose.

Organ

A structure that is composed of two or more tissues would be a(n) ________.

Antebrachial

The forearm is referred to as the ______ region.

Maintain homestasis

What is the main, general purpose of negative feedback?

Mitochondria

produce ATP.

ribosomes

The function of the nucleolus is to make

Osmosis (Does not require energy)

The movement of H₂O across a plasma membrane

Mediastinum

Which cavity houses the heart, thymus, and esophagus?

Cells

The smallest living structures

Epigastric region

Which abdominal region is located directly superior to the hypogastric region?

Heart

Which organ is located within the mediastinum?

Pleural cavities (Thoracic cavity)

Where are the lungs located?

Epigastric region

Where is the stomach found?

Right lumbar region

Where is the ascending colon located?

Abdominal cavity

Which cavity contains the pancreas and parts of the small intestine?

Axilla

The armpit is referred to as the _____ region

Crus

The leg is referred to as the _____ region

Cervicis

The neck is referred to as the ______ region

Brachium

The arm is referred to as the ______ region

Olecranon

The back of the elbow is referred to as

Popiteus

The back of the knee is the _____

Sura

The calf is referred to as the _________