Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology – Vocabulary Flashcards

What Are Anatomy and Physiology?

• Anatomy: study of internal and external structures and the physical relationships among body parts.

• Physiology: study of how living organisms perform their vital functions.

• Relationship: structure (anatomy) enables function (physiology); examples include Vessel Anatomy and Vessel Physiology.

Anatomy Classifications

• Gross (macroscopic) anatomy:

  • Surface anatomy: general form and superficial markings

  • Regional anatomy: organization of a specific part (head, neck, trunk, limbs)

  • Systemic anatomy: organ systems (skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, etc.)

  • Developmental anatomy: changes from conception to maturity; Embryology is the study of early development

  • Clinical anatomy: pathology, radiology, surgical anatomy

• Microscopic anatomy:

  • Cytology: cellular internal structure

  • Histology: tissues

  • Typical Animal Cell; Histology of muscular artery and vein

Physiology Classifications

• Cell physiology: functions and chemical interactions inside and between cells

• Organ physiology: function of specific organs (e.g., cardiac physiology)

• Systemic physiology: functions of whole organ systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, etc.)

• Pathological physiology: effects of disease on organ/system functions

• All classifications fall within human physiology

Levels of Organization

• The Chemical (Molecular) Level: atoms combine into three-dimensional structures; 1

• The Cellular Level: life’s basic unit; cell membrane and organelles; 2

• The Tissue Level: group of cells performing a function; 3

• The Organ Level: two or more tissue types functioning together; 4

• The Organ System Level: group of organs with a common function; 5

• The Organism Level: all systems together; 6

Levels of Organization (Cardiovascular emphasis)

• Atoms → Molecules → Cells → Tissues → Organ Systems → Organism

• Higher levels depend on lower levels (system relies on organs, organs on tissues, etc.)

Integumentary System

• Major organs: Skin, Hair, Sweat Glands, Nails

• Functions: protects, regulates temperature, provides sensory information

Skeletal System

• Major organs: Bones, Cartilage, Ligaments; Bone Marrow

• Functions: support/protection; calcium storage

Muscular System

• Major organs: Skeletal muscle, Tendons

• Functions: movement; protection/support; heat generation

Nervous System

• Major organs: Brain, Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerves, Sense organs

• Functions: directs immediate responses; coordinates activities; sensory information

Endocrine System

• Major organs: Pituitary, Pancreas, Gonads, Thyroid, Adrenal glands, Endocrine tissue

• Functions: long-term regulation; metabolism/energy; developmental changes

Cardiovascular System

• Major organs: Heart, Blood, Blood vessels

• Functions: distribute cells, nutrients, wastes, heat; regulate body temperature

Immune/Lymphatic System

• Major organs: Spleen, Thymus, Lymphatic vessels/nodes, Tonsils

• Functions: defend against infection; return tissue fluids to blood

Respiratory System

• Major organs: Nose, Paranasal sinuses, Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi, Lungs, Alveoli

• Functions: gas exchange; oxygen in, CO₂ out; sound production

Urinary System

• Major organs: Kidneys, Ureters, Urinary bladder, Urethra

• Functions: excrete waste; regulate water balance, ion concentrations, pH; store urine

Male Reproductive System

• Major organs: Testes, Epididymides, Ductus deferentes, Seminal vesicles, Prostate, Penis, Scrotum

• Functions: produce sperm, suspend fluid, hormones; sexual intercourse

Female Reproductive System

• Major organs: Ovaries, Uterine tubes, Uterus, Vagina; Labia, Clitoris, Mammary glands

• Functions: produce oocytes/hormones; support embryo; nourish newborn; sexual intercourse

Homeostasis

• Definition: stability of the internal environment essential for life; maintained by physiological mechanisms

• Homeostatic Regulation: Autoregulation (local automatic adjustment) or Extrinsic regulation (nervous/endocrine)

• Two main regulatory methods: 1 Negative feedback; 2 Positive feedback

• Illness can occur if regulation fails and homeostasis is lost

Negative Feedback (example)

• Stimulus (e.g., low body temperature) triggers hypothalamus → TRH → anterior pituitary → TSH → thyroid hormone (TH)

• TH increases metabolism and body temp; TH inhibits TRH/TSH to dampen response

• Goal: reverse the original change and return to set point

Positive Feedback (example)

• Cervix signals brain → oxytocin release → uterine contractions → pushes baby toward cervix

• Response amplifies the original stimulus until event (birth) occurs

Homeostasis and Organ Systems (Roles in Regulation)

• Internal stimuli: temperature, fluid composition, nutrients, O₂/CO₂, toxins, fluid volume, waste, BP

• Involved systems: integumentary, muscular, cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, urinary, skeletal, lymphatic, endocrine

• Functions include heat management, nutrient absorption/distribution, gas exchange, waste processing, water balance, and more

Anatomy Terminology

• Anatomical terms describe regions, positions, directions, sections, cavities

• Surface (superficial) anatomy: locating structures near the body surface

• Anatomical position: hands at sides, palms forward, feet together

Directional Terms (Region/Reference)

• Anterior (ventral): front surface; Posterior (dorsal): back surface

• Cranial (cephalic): head end; Caudal: tail end

• Superior: above; Inferior: below

• Medial: toward midline; Lateral: away from midline

• Proximal: closer to attachment point; Distal: farther from attachment point

• Superficial: near surface; Deep: farther from surface

• Example references illustrate positions relative to body

Planes and Sections

• Planes: Transverse (horizontal), Frontal (coronal), Sagittal (divides left/right)

• Section: slice along a plane; helps in imaging (MRI, CT, PET)

• Planes are three to fully describe the body: Transverse, Frontal, Sagittal

Sectional Planes (Terminology)

• Transverse (horizontal): perpendicular to long axis; sections are transversely

• Sagittal: parallel to long axis; midsagittal (median) vs parasagittal (unequal left/right)

• Frontal (coronal): anterior vs posterior sections; frontal ~ through skull

Planes and Imaging Examples

• MRI/CT images show sectional views in Transverse, Sagittal, or Frontal planes

Anatomical Regions and Terms (Representative Examples)

• Cranial (skull), Facial (face), Ocular (eye), Nasal (nose), Otic (ear), Buccal (cheek), Mental (chin)

• Thoracic (chest), Abdominal, Umbilical, Pelvic, Inguinal (groin), Patellar (kneecap), Tibial/Femoral terms, etc.

• Note: Many terms exist to describe specific regions; use as needed for precision

Abdominopelvic Regions and Quadrants

• Quadrants: Right Upper (RUQ), Right Lower (RLQ), Left Upper (LUQ), Left Lower (LLQ)

• Regions (nine): Right hypochondriac, Epigastric, Left hypochondriac; Right lumbar, Umbilical, Left lumbar; Right iliac, Hypogastric, Left iliac

• Organ placement examples: Liver and Gallbladder in RUQ; Stomach in LUQ; Intestines distributed across regions

Body Cavities

• Ventral body cavity divides into Thoracic cavity and Abdominopelvic (via the Diaphragm)

• Thoracic cavity contains pleural cavities (lungs) and pericardial cavity (heart) and mediastinum

• Abdominopelvic cavity contains abdominal and pelvic cavities; lined to prevent friction

• Functions: protection, organ movement, and friction reduction

Diaphragm and Cavity Subdivisions

• Diaphragm separates thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

• Thoracic cavity: right/left pleural cavities; mediastinum; pericardial cavity

• Abdominopelvic cavity: abdominal and pelvic cavities

Quick Reference (Key Takeaways)

• Anatomy vs. physiology: structure vs. function

• Levels of organization: 1–6; complexity builds upward

• Body systems: major organs and their primary functions

• Homeostasis: feedback mechanisms (negative vs. positive); regulation by autoregulation and extrinsic control

• Planes, sections, and anatomical terms: essential for describing location and imaging

• Body cavities and abdominopelvic organization: quadrants and nine regions for locating organs