Anatomy and Physiology Overview Flashcards

Flashcards covering introductory anatomy and physiology principles, levels of organization, life functions, homeostasis, directional terms, body planes, cavities, and abdominopelvic regions.

What is anatomy and what are its main subdivisions?

Anatomy is the study of body structure. Its subdivisions include gross or macroscopic anatomy (regional, systemic, and surface), microscopic anatomy (cytology and histology), and developmental anatomy (embryology).

What is physiology and what does its study focus on?

Physiology is the study of the function of the body. It is subdivided based on organ systems (e.g., renal or cardiovascular physiology) and frequently focuses on cellular and molecular mechanisms.

What is the Principle of Complementarity of Structure and Function?

It states that anatomy and physiology are inseparable because function always reflects structure; what a structure can do depends on its specific form (form follows function).

What are the six levels of structural organization in the human body?

Chemical level (atoms form molecules), Cellular level (cells composed of molecules), Tissue level (consists of similar cells), Organ level (contains different tissue types), Organ system level (organs working together), and Organismal level (the total human organism).

What eight necessary life functions are performed by the body?

Maintaining boundaries, movement (contractility), responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, and growth.

How are anabolism and catabolism defined in human metabolism?

Anabolism is the process where small molecules are joined to form larger ones. Catabolism is the process where large molecules are broken down into smaller ones.

How do human organ systems demonstrate cellular interdependence?

Multicellular body cells cannot survive independently; organ systems interact and cooperate via blood and interstitial fluid to distribute nutrients and oxygen and to dispose of wastes.

What five essential survival needs are required for human life?

Nutrients (for energy and cell building), Oxygen (for ATP production), Water (most abundant chemical and reaction medium), Normal body temperature ($37^\circ\text{C}$), and Appropriate atmospheric pressure (for gas exchange).

How is homeostasis defined?

Homeostasis is the maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continuous changes in the environment; it is a dynamic state of equilibrium.

What are the three components of a homeostatic control mechanism?

1. Receptor (sensor that detects stimulus/change)
2. Control center (determines set point and appropriate response)
3. Effector (provides response via feedback to alter the stimulus)

How does a negative feedback mechanism operate?

The response reduces or shuts off the original stimulus, causing the controlled variable to change in the direction opposite to its initial change (e.g., body temperature regulation).

How does a positive feedback mechanism operate?

The response enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus, producing a cascading effect for infrequent events (e.g., platelet plug formation in blood clotting or oxytocin during labor).

What can occur as a result of homeostatic imbalance?

It increases the risk of disease and contributes to aging changes. If negative feedback mechanisms are overwhelmed, destructive positive feedback mechanisms may take over (e.g., heart failure).

What parameters define standard anatomical position?

The body is erect, feet are slightly apart, parallel and flat on the floor, head is level, eyes look forward, and palms face forward (anteriorly) with thumbs pointing away from the body.

What do the directional terms superior (cranial) and inferior (caudal) indicate?

Superior means toward the head end or upper part of a structure or body (above). Inferior means away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or body (below).

What do the directional terms ventral (anterior) and dorsal (posterior) indicate?

Ventral (anterior) means toward or at the front of the body (in front of). Dorsal (posterior) means toward or at the back of the body (behind).

What do the directional terms medial, lateral, and intermediate mean?

Medial means toward or at the midline of the body (inner side). Lateral means away from the midline (outer side). Intermediate means between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

What do the directional terms proximal and distal indicate?

Proximal means closer to the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. Distal means farther from the origin or point of attachment.

What do the directional terms superficial (external) and deep (internal) mean?

Superficial means toward or at the body surface. Deep means away from the body surface (more internal).

What major anatomical divisions and surface regions are shown in full-body anatomical charts?

The body is divided into axial (head, neck, trunk) and appendicular (limbs) portions, comprising major regional areas such as cephalic, cervical, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, pubic, upper extremity, lower extremity, and posterior trunk.

How do midsagittal and parasagittal planes differ?

A midsagittal (median) plane lies directly on the midline and divides the body into equal left and right halves. A parasagittal plane is offset from the midline and divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

What directions do frontal, transverse, and oblique planes follow?

A frontal (coronal) plane divides vertically into anterior and posterior parts. A transverse plane divides horizontally ($90^\circ$ to vertical) into superior and inferior parts. An oblique plane passes at an angle other than $90^\circ$.

How does an oblique section alter the visual outline of a tubular structure?

An oblique plane cuts through a structure at an angle other than $90^\circ$, producing an elongated or non-circular section compared to a transverse cross-section.

What cavities are contained within the dorsal body cavity?

The cranial cavity (formed by cranial bones, encasing the brain) and the vertebral cavity (enclosing the spinal cord).

How is the ventral body cavity partitioned and what organs reside in each section?

Divided by the thoracic diaphragm into the thoracic cavity (pleural cavities for lungs and mediastinum containing pericardial cavity for heart) and the abdominopelvic cavity (abdominal cavity with digestive organs/spleen/liver, and pelvic cavity with bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum).

What is the structural organization of serous membranes in ventral body cavities?

Serous membranes are double-layered: parietal serosa lines body cavity walls, and visceral serosa covers organs. They are separated by a serous cavity filled with lubricating serous fluid.

Which serous membranes correspond to the heart, lungs, and abdominopelvic cavity?

Pericardium associated with the heart, Pleurae associated with the lungs, and Peritoneum associated with the abdominopelvic cavity.

What are the four abdominopelvic quadrants?

Right upper quadrant (RUQ), Left upper quadrant (LUQ), Right lower quadrant (RLQ), and Left lower quadrant (LLQ), divided by transverse and midsagittal planes passing through the umbilicus.

What are the nine abdominopelvic regions?

Umbilical, Epigastric, Hypogastric, Right hypochondriac, Left hypochondriac, Right lumbar, Left lumbar, Right iliac, and Left iliac regions.