Anatomy & Physiology: Introduction & Overview Flashcards
What is Anatomy?
It is the study of the structure and shape of the body, body parts, and their relationship to one another.
What are the two classifications of anatomy?
Gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. 
What is gross anatomy? 
It refers to the large and easily observable structures. 
What is microscopic anatomy?
Requires the use of a microscope to view the small structures in the body. 
What is physiology?
It is the study of how the body and its parts work together in order to perform a certain function. 
What is pathophysiology?
It is the study of disordered physiological processes that result from disease or injury. It means that there is something wrong with the physiological processes in the body. 
What is an atom? 
It is the smallest unit of an element that still maintains the properties of that element. For example, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
What is a molecule? 
Atoms combine to form molecules. Can have entirely different properties than the atoms they contain.
What is a cell?
A cell is the smallest unit of life. It is enclosed by a membrane or cell wall. In multicellular organisms, often perform specific functions. 
What is a tissue?
A tissue is a group of cells with similar functions. 
What is an organ? 
An organ consists of two or more types of tissues that work together to complete a specific task. 
What is an organ system? 
An organ system is a group of organs that carries out a more generalized set of functions. 
What is an organism? 
An organism has several organ systems that function together. 
Name the 11 organ systems. 
Integumentary system, skeletal system muscular system, nervous system, endocrine system, circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system.
What is the function of the Integumentary system?
- Protection of the deeper organs from mechanical, chemical, and bacterial injury and from drying out. 
- Excretion of salts and urea.
- Synthesis of vitamin D.
- Maintenance of cellular fluid.
- Detection of stimuli. 
What are the three main layers of the skin?
Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis. 
What is the function of the skeletal system? 
It is the framework of the body.
Functions:
1. Facilitates movement
2. Body support
3. Reduction of internal organs
4. Storage of minerals and fats
5. Blood cell formation
What are the four main fibrous and mineralized connective tissues of the skeletal system? 
- Bones
- Tendons
- Joints
- Ligaments
What are the two major parts of the skeletal system? 
The axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.
What is the function of the muscular system? 
- Permits movement of the body
- Maintains posture
- Helps in the circulation of blood throughout the body
- Heat generation
What is the muscular system controlled by? 
The nervous system. 
What are the three types of muscular tissue? 
Skeletal or striated muscle, smooth muscle, cardiac muscle
What is the nervous system? 
It is made up of a network of nerves cells and fibers. It is also an electrochemical communication system. 
What are the functions of the nervous system? 
- Receives sensory messages from the external environment.
- Organizes information and integrates it with already stored information.
- Uses integrated information to send out messages to muscles and glands.
At a cellular level, the nervous system is defined by the presence of a cell called__________. 
Neuron or nerve cell. 
What are the three types of neurons? 
Sensory neuron, relay neuron, and motor neuron.
What are the two main parts of the nervous system? 
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. 
What is the central nervous system composed of? 
Brain and spinal cord. 
What is the peripheral nervous system composed of? 
It is mainly composed of nerves. 
Peripheral nervous system is subdivided into the __________ and __________. 
Autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system. 
Function of the autonomic nervous system. 
It regulates involuntary physiological processes. 
The autonomic nervous system is subdivided into three namely the ______, _____, and _____.
Parasympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system, and enteric nervous system
Function of the somatic nervous system. 
It handles the voluntary controls of the body’s movement and coordinates with the skeletal muscles. 
What is the function of the endocrine system? 
It serves as the chemical messenger of the body. 
What are the nine major endocrine glands? 
Thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pineal gland, pituitary gland, pancreas, ovaries, testis, parathyroid gland, and hypothalamus.