2-3 Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
Describe the anatomical position
The anatomical position is when the body is in the upright position with the head facing forward, the arms at the sides with the palms of the hands facing forward and feet together.
Define the following anatomical relationships
Medial - structure is nearer to the midline
Lateral - structure is further from the midline or at the side of the body
Proximal - nearer to a point of attachment of a limb, or origin of a body part
Distal - further from a point of attachment of a limb, or origin of body part
Anterior - part of the body being described is nearer the front
Posterior - part of the body being described is nearer the back
Superior - structure is nearer the head
Inferior - structure Is further from the head
Describe a simple cell
A cell consists of a plasma membrane inside which there are a number of organelles floating in a watery fluid called cytoplasm. Organelles are small structures with highly specialised functions, the smallest living organism within all living things except viruses.
Describe the plasma membrane
Cell membrane is semi-permeable which means it allows certain molecules to pass through and not others. Only small particles, such as water and oxygen are able to pass into to out of the cell.
Describe cytoplasm
Cytoplasm is a fluid substance contained within the plasma membrane. Fluid found inside of the cell is also referred to as intracellular fluid. It surrounds and supports the other structures of the cell interior.
Describe the nucleus
Every cell in the body has a nucleus except mature erythrocytes (red blood cells). This is the largest organelle. It contains the information jeans which determines cellular structure and function.
Explain what the simple is supplied with
Oxygen - essential for human life
Nutrition - cells require food or nutrition
Water - the medium for all chemical activity in the body
Describe tissues
Tissues consist of large number of the same type of cells and are classified according to their size, shape and function. There are four main types of tissues: * Epithelial * Connective * Muscle * Nervous each of which has sub-divisions
Describe epithelial tissues
Simple epithelium - single layer of identical cells
Squamous - single layer of flattened cells
Cuboidal - single layer of cubed shaped cells
Columnar - single layer of rectangle cells
Ciliated - single layer with hair like protrusions
Stratified epithelia - several layers of cells of different shapes
Stratified squamous - several layers of cells which grow towards the surface of the body. Found in areas of wear and tear e.g. hair, nails, skin
Transitional - several layers of pear shaped cells found in the urinary tract and bladder. Allows for stretch and movement
Describe connective tissues
Connective tissue is supportive tissue connecting more active tissue into functional units. The matrix maybe semi-solid, jelly-like, dense or rigid, depending on the position and function of the tissue. Major functions of this tissue include binding and structural support, protection, transportation and insulation. Examples include cartilage, bone and blood.
Describe muscle tissue
There are three types of muscle tissue, which consist of specialised contractile cells:
* Skeletal muscle
* Smooth muscle
* Cardiac muscle
The main characteristics of these muscles is their ability to contract and relax which produces motion and to return to their original size and shape without damage.
Describe nervous tissue
Their are two types of tissues found in there nervous system:
Excitable cells - these are called neurones and they initiate, receive, conduct and transmit information
Non-excitable cells - these are called neuroglia and support neurones
What is an organ?
An organ is a structure made up of two or more kinds of tissues organised to perform a more complex function than any one tissue alone. Examples of organs are the heart, stomach and brain.
Describe a system
A system is a group of organs arranged to perform a more complex function than any one organ can alone. Each system performs a particular function to help maintain homeostasis and contributes to health of the individual. Examples of these systems include:
- Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system
- Nervous system
- Digestive system
- Urinary system
- Skeletal system
- Endocrine system
- Reproductive system
Describe the bodies cavities
The body organs are protected and contained within four cavities:
- Cranial
- Thoracic
- Abdominal
- Pelvic
Describe the Head (cephalic)
The head consists of: * Cranium * Eyes and orbits * Nasal cavities * Oral cavity The cranium consist of: * Brain * Inner and middle ear * Origins of the cranial nerves * Major blood vessels
Describe the heads boundaries
Superior - 2 parietal bones Inferior - 1sphenoid and 1 ethmoid bone and parts of the frontal, temporal and occipital bones Lateral - 2 temporal bones Anterior - frontal bones Posterior - occipital
Describe the thoracic cavity
This is bounded by the rib cage and diaphragm. The mediastinum is a large mass of tissue that contains the heart, the trachea, left and right main bronchi, oesophagus and large blood vessels. It contains the lungs and mediastinum.
Describe the thoracic cavity boundaries
Superior - the structures forming the root of the neck
Inferior - the diaphragm
Anterior - the sternum and costal cartilages of the ribs
Posterior - 12 thoracic vertebra and the ribs
Lateral - 12 Pais of ribs and the intercostal muscle
Describe the abdominal-pelvic cavity
The abdominal pelvic cavity is bounded by the diaphragm and the pelvis although there is no clear boundary between the two parts. The upper part contains the stomach, liver, spleen, gall bladder, pancreas and small and large intestine. The lower part contains the organs of reproduction some of the large intestine, the bladder and the uterus.
Describe the abdominal boundaries
Superior - the diaphragm
Inferior - continuous with the pelvis
Anterior - the large abdominal muscles
Posterior - the lumbar vertebrae and posterior abdominal wall
Lateral - the floating ribs and abdominal muscles
Describe the abdominal region
The abdominal cavity can be decided into nine regions, which can be used to locate the organs, although some of the organs overlap different regions. The horizontal lines are just below the ribcage and at the top of the pelvis. The vertical lines are in line with the mid-point of the clavicles.
Describe the positions of the major organs
Stomach- lies in the epigastric, umbilical and left hypochondriac regions
Liver - this occupies the right hypochondrium and the greater parr of the epigastrium. The superior border is immediately beneath the diaphragm.
Pancreas - epigastric and left hypochondriac region
Kidneys - lie in the left and right lumber regions
Caecum - lies in the right iliac fossa
