Anatomy and Physiology I - Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Anatomy and Physiology I Chapter 1 lecture notes covering definitions, characteristics of life, body systems, homeostatic mechanisms, directional terms, sectional planes, and body cavities.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body.

Physiology

The study of the function of the body.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of structures that require a microscope to see, such as cells and tissues.

Cytology

The study of individual cells, which are the simplest unit of life.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Macroscopic Anatomy (Gross Anatomy)

The study of structures visible to the eye, including organs and organ systems.

Organization

A basic characteristic of living organisms involving discrete boundaries that separate the organism from its environment.

Responsiveness

A basic characteristic of living organisms where the organism responds to changes in its environment.

Growth and Differentiation

A basic characteristic of living organisms where the organism gets bigger and cells become specialized.

Metabolism

Refers to all chemical processes in the body that provide energy for growth, reproduction, movement, and respiration.

Respiration

The absorption, transport, and use of oxygen.

Excretion

The removal of waste from the body or cells.

Reproduction

Creating subsequent generations of similar organisms.

Integumentary System

Organ system containing skin, hair, sweat glands, and nails; protects against environmental hazards, regulates body temperature, and provides sensory information.

Skeletal System

Organ system containing bones, cartilages, associated ligaments, and bone marrow; provides support, protection, stores minerals, and forms blood cells.

Muscular System

Organ system containing skeletal muscles, associated tendons, and aponeuroses; provides movement, protection, support, and generates heat.

Nervous System

Organ system containing the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and sense organs; directs immediate responses to stimuli and coordinates activities of other organ systems.

Endocrine System

Organ system containing the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, gonads, and endocrine tissues; regulates hormones, adjusts metabolic activity, and directs long-term changes.

Cardiovascular System

Organ system containing the heart, blood, and blood vessels; distributes blood cells, water, nutrients, waste products, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and heat.

Lymphatic System

Organ system containing the spleen, thymus, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and tonsils; defends against infection and returns tissue fluids to the bloodstream.

Respiratory System

Organ system containing nasal cavities, sinuses, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and alveoli; provides gas exchange, oxygen to the bloodstream, and produces sounds for communication.

Digestive System

Organ system containing teeth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas; processes food, absorbs nutrients, conserves water, and stores energy reserves.

Urinary System

Organ system containing kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; excretes waste products from the blood, controls water balance, and regulates blood ion concentrations and pH.

Male Reproductive System

Organ system containing testes, epididymides, ductus deferentia, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, penis, and scrotum; produces male sex cells (sperm), seminal fluids, and hormones.

Female Reproductive System

Organ system containing ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, labia, clitoris, and mammary glands; produces female sex cells (oocytes) and hormones, supports developing embryo, and provides milk.

Homeostasis

The existence of a stable internal environment necessary for organism survival (derived from 'homeo' meaning unchanging and 'stasis' meaning standing).

Negative Feedback

A regulatory mechanism where a variation outside the desired range triggers a response that produces results opposite to the condition that initiated it.

Positive Feedback

A regulatory mechanism where a stimulus produces a response that increases the original effect.

Supine

Describing a person lying on their back, face up.

Prone

Describing a person lying face down.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning toward the front.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward the back.

Cranial (Cephalic)

Directional term meaning toward the head.

Caudal

Directional term meaning toward the tail.

Superior

Directional term meaning above.

Inferior

Directional term meaning below.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the middle.

Lateral

Directional term meaning to the side, away from the midpoint.

Proximal

Directional term meaning toward the trunk.

Distal

Directional term meaning away from the trunk.

Superficial

Directional term meaning close to the surface of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning moving away from the surface of the body.

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

A section plane oriented parallel to the long axis that separates anterior and posterior portions of the body.

Sagittal Plane

A section plane oriented parallel to the long axis that separates right and left portions.

Midsagittal Plane

A sagittal plane passing through the midline that separates the body into equal right and left sides.

Parasagittal Section

A sagittal section that misses the midline, separating the body into unequal right and left sides.

Transverse Plane (Horizontal Plane)

A section plane oriented perpendicular to the long axis that separates superior and inferior portions of the body, creating a cross section.

Dorsal Body Cavity

A fluid-filled space that protects the spinal cord and brain; subdivided into the spinal cavity and cranial cavity.

Ventral Body Cavity (Coelom)

Internal body cavity subdivided into the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Mediastinum

An area between two pleural cavities that surrounds the pericardial cavity.