Chapter 1 and Chapter 2

Based on your study deck, here are the high-yield concepts I would focus on. If you know these topics well, you'll be prepared for most Chapter 1 exam questions.

1. Anatomy vs. Physiology ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Key Terms

  • Anatomy = study of structure ("What is it?")

  • Physiology = study of function ("How does it work?")

Must Know

  • Structure determines function.

  • Example:

    • Heart has 4 chambers → anatomy

    • Heart pumps blood → physiology

Remember:

Anatomy = Appearance

Physiology = Performance


2. Levels of Organization ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Know these in order.

  1. Atom

  2. Molecule

  3. Cell

  4. Tissue

  5. Organ

  6. Organ System

  7. Organism

Example:

Atom
↓
Water molecule
↓
Muscle cell
↓
Muscle tissue
↓
Heart
↓
Cardiovascular system
↓
Human

Mnemonic

A Tiny Mouse Can Teach Old Owls

(Atom → Molecule → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system → Organism)


3. The 12 Organ Systems ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Know all of them and their major function.

System

Main Job

Integumentary

Protection

Skeletal

Support

Muscular

Movement

Nervous

Fast control

Endocrine

Hormonal control

Cardiovascular

Transport blood

Lymphatic

Fluid return

Immune

Defense

Respiratory

Gas exchange

Digestive

Break down food

Urinary

Remove waste

Reproductive

Produce offspring

Know that all systems work together to maintain homeostasis.


4. Homeostasis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Definition

Keeping the body's internal environment stable even when conditions change.

It is dynamic, meaning the body is always making adjustments.

Examples:

  • Sweating

  • Shivering

  • Changing heart rate


5. Negative Feedback ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one of the biggest concepts.

Know the steps:

Change
↓

Receptor (sensor)
↓

Control Center (brain)
↓

Effector
↓

Response

Example:

Temperature ↑

↓

Brain notices

↓

Sweat glands activate

↓

Temperature decreases

The key idea:

Negative feedback opposes the original change.


6. Anatomical Position ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Everything is described from this position.

Know:

  • Standing upright

  • Arms at sides

  • Palms forward

  • Feet forward

  • Eyes forward

This is the reference position for all anatomical directions.


7. Directional Terms ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Know every pair.

Term

Meaning

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Anterior

Front

Posterior

Back

Medial

Toward midline

Lateral

Away from midline

Proximal

Closer to trunk

Distal

Farther from trunk

Superficial

Near surface

Deep

Farther inside

Central

Toward center

Peripheral

Away from center

Examples to memorize:

  • Nose is medial to eyes.

  • Ears are lateral to eyes.

  • Wrist is distal to elbow.

  • Elbow is proximal to wrist.

  • Skin is superficial to muscle.

  • Bone is deep to skin.


8. Body Planes ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Know what each plane divides.

Plane

Divides

Sagittal

Left & Right

Frontal (Coronal)

Front & Back

Transverse

Top & Bottom

Mnemonic

Sagittal = Sides

Frontal = Front

Transverse = Top


9. Body Regions ⭐⭐⭐

Know the common ones.

Anterior

  • Cephalic = head

  • Cervical = neck

  • Sternal = breastbone

  • Axillary = armpit

  • Antecubital = front of elbow

  • Umbilical = navel

  • Inguinal = groin

  • Patellar = kneecap

Posterior

  • Occipital

  • Scapular

  • Lumbar

  • Gluteal

  • Popliteal

  • Calcaneal


10. Body Cavities ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Know each cavity and what is inside.

Dorsal Cavity

  • Cranial → Brain

  • Vertebral (Spinal) → Spinal cord

Ventral Cavity

Thoracic

  • Pleural = lungs

  • Pericardial = heart

  • Mediastinum = central space between lungs

Abdominopelvic

Abdominal

  • Stomach

  • Liver

  • Gallbladder

  • Pancreas

  • Spleen

  • Kidneys

  • Most intestines

Pelvic

  • Bladder

  • Rectum

  • Internal reproductive organs

Know:

Diaphragm separates thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.


11. Abdominal Quadrants ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Know all four.

Quadrant

Major Organs

RUQ

Liver, Gallbladder

LUQ

Stomach, Spleen

RLQ

Appendix, Cecum

LLQ

Descending & Sigmoid Colon

Remember:

Always use the patient's right and left.


12. Nine Abdominal Regions ⭐⭐⭐

Know the names.

Top:

  • Right hypochondriac

  • Epigastric

  • Left hypochondriac

Middle:

  • Right lumbar

  • Umbilical

  • Left lumbar

Bottom:

  • Right iliac

  • Hypogastric

  • Left iliac

Know:

  • Epigastric

  • Umbilical

  • Hypogastric

These three are commonly tested.


13. Medical Word Parts ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Know the four components.

Part

Meaning

Prefix

Beginning

Root

Main meaning

Suffix

Ending

Combining vowel

Makes pronunciation easier

Examples:

hepat = liver

-itis = inflammation

Hepatitis = inflammation of the liver


14. Diagnosis vs. Prognosis ⭐⭐⭐

Diagnosis

  • Identifies the disease

Prognosis

  • Predicts the outcome

Easy memory:

Diagnosis = Detect

Prognosis = Predict


⭐ Most Important Topics (Study These First)

If you're short on time, prioritize these in order:

  1. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Anatomy vs. Physiology

  2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Levels of Organization

  3. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Homeostasis

  4. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Negative Feedback Loop

  5. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Directional Terms

  6. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Body Cavities

  7. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Abdominal Quadrants

  8. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Organ Systems

  9. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Anatomical Position

  10. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Body Planes

  11. ⭐⭐⭐ Medical Terminology

  12. ⭐⭐⭐ Body Regions

  13. ⭐⭐⭐ Nine Abdominal Regions

  14. ⭐⭐⭐ Diagnosis vs. Prognosis

These are the concepts emphasized throughout the study deck and reinforced by the chapter's exam check.