Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

These flashcards provide vocabulary definitions for introductory anatomy and physiology concepts, including organ systems, directional terms, body landmarks, and membranes based on the lecture transcript.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body parts and their relationship to one another, derived from the Greek words 'Ana' (apart) and 'tomy' (to cut).

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work or function, derived from the Greek words 'Physio' (nature) and 'ology' (the study of).

Gross Anatomy

The study of large structures that are easily observable.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of very small structures that can only be viewed with a microscope.

Structural organization

The hierarchical levels of the body: Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System.

Integumentary System

Consists of skin, nails, hair, cutaneous sense organs and glands; protects deeper organs, excretes salts and urea, and helps regulate body temperature.

Skeletal System

Consists of bones, cartilages, tendon, ligaments and joints; provides support, protection, leverage for muscular action, a source of calcium/minerals, and blood cell formation.

Muscular System

Consists of muscles attached to the skeleton; functions as body movers and generates heat.

Nervous System

Consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and special senses; transmits messages to organs and detects environmental changes to make responses.

Endocrine System

Consists of glands like the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas; promotes growth, produces chemical messengers (hormones), and regulates long-term homeostasis.

Cardiovascular System

Consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood; functions as a transport system and provides protection.

Lymphatic/Immune System

Consists of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and tonsils; cleanses blood and returns fluids leaked from blood vessels.

Respiratory System

Consists of the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs; supplies oxygen and removes $CO_2$.

Digestive System

Consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines and accessory structures; breaks down food for absorption into the blood.

Urinary System

Consists of kidneys, urethra, and urinary bladder; maintains water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance of blood.

Reproductive System

Includes male (testes, scrotum, penis, sperm duct) and female (ovaries, fallopian tube, uterus, vagina) structures; produces sperm or egg cells and facilitates fertlization.

Homeostasis

A dynamic state of equilibrium or balance where internal conditions vary within relatively narrow units; derived from 'Homeo' (the same) and 'stasis' (standing still).

Receptors

The component of the homeostatic control mechanism that responds to stimuli.

Control center

The component of the homeostatic control mechanism that analyzes information and determines the appropriate response.

Effectors

The component of the homeostatic control mechanism that provides the means for the response to the stimulus.

Anatomical Position

A reference point where the body is standing erect, head and toes pointed forward, arms hanging at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Superior/Inferior

Directional terms meaning above and below a position, respectively.

Anterior/Posterior

Directional terms meaning front and back, respectively.

Medial/Lateral

Directional terms meaning towards the midline and away from the midline, respectively.

Cephalad/Caudal

Directional terms meaning towards the head and towards the tail, respectively.

Dorsal/Ventral

Directional terms meaning backside and belly side, respectively.

Proximal/Distal

Directional terms meaning near the trunk/point of attachment and farther from the trunk/point of attachment, respectively.

Superficial/Deep

Directional terms meaning near the surface and farther from the surface, respectively.

Abdominal

Anterior body landmark referring to the tummy.

Anticubital

Anterior body landmark referring to the anterior surface of the elbow.

Axillary

Anterior body landmark referring to the armpit.

Brachial

Anterior body landmark referring to the arms.

Buccal

Anterior body landmark referring to the mouth.

Carpals

Anterior body landmark referring to the wrist bone.

Cervical

Anterior body landmark referring to the neck bone.

Deltoids

Anterior body landmark referring to the side of the arm.

Digitals

Anterior body landmark referring to the fingers or toes.

Inguinal

Anterior body landmark referring to the groin.

Mammary

Anterior body landmark referring to the breast.

Umbilical

Anterior body landmark referring to the navel.

Femorals

Anterior body landmark referring to the thigh.

Nasal

Anterior body landmark referring to the nose.

Oral

Anterior body landmark referring to the mouth.

Orbital

Anterior body landmark referring to the eyes.

Patellar

Anterior body landmark referring to the knee cap.

Pelvic

Anterior body landmark referring to the pelvis.

Peroneal

Anterior body landmark referring to the side of the leg.

Sternal

Anterior body landmark referring to the breast bone.

Tarsal

Anterior body landmark referring to the ankle.

Thoracic

Anterior body landmark referring to the chest.

Cephalic

Posterior body landmark referring to the head.

Gluteal

Posterior body landmark referring to the buttocks.

Lumbar

Posterior body landmark referring to the lower back.

Occipital

Posterior body landmark referring to the base of the skull.

Popliteal

Posterior body landmark referring to the back of the knee.

Scapular

Posterior body landmark referring to the shoulder blade.

Sural

Posterior body landmark referring to the calf or posterior surface of the leg.

Vertebral

Posterior body landmark referring to the area of the spinal column.

Sagittal/Midsagittal Plane

A body plane or section dividing the body into right and left parts.

Frontal/Coronal Plane

A body plane or section dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse/Cross section Plane

A body plane or section dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal Cavity

Contains the Cranial Cavity (brain) and Spinal Cavity (spinal cord).

Ventral Cavity

Contains the Thoracic Cavity (heart and lungs), Abdominal Cavity (abdominal organs), and Pelvic Cavity (reproductive organs).

9 Abdominopelvic Regions

Right hypochondriac, Left hypochondriac, Epigastric, Right lumbar region, Umbilical region, Left lumbar region, Right Iliac region, Left iliac region, and Hypogastric (implied by standard 9-region model context).

Cutaneous membrane

An epithelial tissue membrane made up of keratinizing stratified epithelium.

Mucous membrane

An epithelial tissue membrane lining all body cavities open to the exterior, such as the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts.

Serous Membranes

Simple squamous epithelial membranes lining body cavities not open to the exterior.

Parietal layer

The layer of the serous membrane that lines a specific portion of the wall of the ventral body cavity.

Visceral Layer

The layer of the serous membrane that covers the outside of the organs in a cavity.