A & P of the Human Body 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
Lateral
Proximal
Distal
Anterior
Posterior
Superior
Inferior
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.
Golgi apparatus
Proteins move from the endoplasmic reticulum and packed into vesicles. The vesicles are stored and when needed, moved to the plasma membrane to fuse with it. The content are then expelled and this is called exocytosis.
Explain what the cell is supplied with
Oxygen - essential for human life
Nutrition - cells require food or nutrition
Water - the medium for all chemical activity in the body. The male body is made up of 70% water and the female body is made of 60% water.
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 subdivisions
Describe epithelial tissues
Simple epithelium - a single layer of identical cells
Stratified epithelia - several layers of cells of different shapes
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 an organ 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
