Ch. 1: The Human Body - An Orientation Flashcards
Define Anatomy
Study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another
Define Microscopic Anatomy
Study of structures too small to be seen with the naked eye
Define Gross/Macroscopic Anatomy
Study of large, visible structures
Define Physiology
Study of the function of body parts; how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities
What is the Principle of Complementaries of Structure & Function?
- Cannot separate anatomy & physiology
- Function (physiology) always reflect structure (anatomy)
- What a structure can do depends on its specific form
What is the Chemical Level of structural organization composed of?
Atoms, molecules, organelles
What is the Cellular Level of structural organization composed of?
Single cell (smallest unit of living matter)
What is the Tissue Level of structural organization composed of?
Groups of similar cells that work together to perform specific function(s)
What is the Organ Level of structural organization composed of?
Contains 2 or more types of tissues
What is the Organ System of structural organization composed of?
Organs that work closely together
How many organ systems are there? What is their significance?
11 organ systems
- Maintain life
- Form human body — humans are multicellular, individual cells must be kept alive
- Physiology based on organ systems (focuses on cellular & molecular levels of the body; how body’s abilities are dependent on chemical reactions in individual cells)
Describe the Skeletal System
Protects & supports body organs, and provides a framework the muscles use to cause movement; blood cells are formed within bones; bones store minerals
Describe the Integumentary System
Forms the external body covering, & protects deeper tissues from injury; synthesizes vitamin D, & houses cutaneous (pain, pressure, etc.) receptors =, & sweat/oil glands
Describe the Nervous System
Fast-acting control system of the body, it responses to internal & external changes by activity appropriate muscles & glands; works fast (involuntary)
Describe the Muscular System
Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, & facial expressions maintains posture & produces heat
Describe the Cardiovascular System
Blood vessels transport blood, carrying oxygen, CO2, nutrients, wastes, etc. the heart pumps blood
Describe the Endocrine System
Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, & nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells; works slow
Describe the Respiratory System
Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen & removes CO2; exchanges occurs through the walls of the air sacs of lungs
Describe the Lymphatic/Immunity System
Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels & returns it to blood; disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream; houses WBC (lymphocytes) involved in immunity; immune response mounts the attack against foreign substances within the body
Describe the Urinary System
Eliminates nitrogenous waste from the body; regulates water, electrolytes, & acid-base balance of the blood
Describe the Digestive System
Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells; indigestible foodstuffs are eliminated as feces
Describe the Reproductive System
Production of offspring; tests produce sperm/male sex hormone & male ducts/glands aid in delivery of sperm to female reproductive tract; ovaries produce eggs & female sex hormones; remaining female structures serves as sites for fertilization and development of the fetus; mammary glands of female breast produce milk to nourish the newborn
What is the Organismal Level of structural organization composed of?
All organ systems combined to make the whole organism
Define Homeostasis
Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continues changes in environment (balance)
How is homeostasis maintained?
Maintained by contributions of all organ systems
How is homeostasis a, “dynamic state of equilibrium”?
Readjusts as needed to become balanced. The body must be constantly monitored & regulated to maintain homeostasis
What organ systems play a major role in maintaing homeostasis?
Nervous & endocrine (+ others)
What are Variables?
Factors that can change (i.e. blood sugar, body temperature, blood volume, etc.)
What are the 3 components of the homeostatic control of variables?
- Receptor (sensor)
- Control center
- Effector
Describe the Receptor (sensor)
Receptor (sensor) - monitors environment; responds to stimuli
Describe the Control Center
Determines set point at which variable is maintained; receives input from receptor; determines appropriate response
Describe the Effector
Receives output from control center, provides means to respond; response either reduces stimulus (negative feedback) or enhances stimulus (positive feedback); bring back to normal state
Describe Negative Feedback
- Most used feedback mechanism in the body
- Response reduces/shuts off original stimulus; variable changes in opposition direction of initial change
Describe Positive Feedback
- Enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus
- Exhibit a cascade or amplifying effect as feedback causes variable to continue in same direction as initial change
- Usually controls infrequent events that do not require continuous adjustment
Describe Homeostatic Imbalance
- Increase risk of disease
- Contributes to changes associated with aging ~ control systems become less efficient
- If negative feedback become overwhelmed, destructive positive feedback mechanisms may take over ~ heart failure
What is the Greek word “Anatomy” is derived from?
“Cutting apart”
- Ana = human ; tomy = cut
Define Cytology
Microscopic study of cells (microscopic anatomy)
Define Histology
Microscopic study of tissues (microscopic anatomy)
Describe Regional Anatomy
Look at all structures in a particular area of the body
Describe System Anatomy
Looks at 1 system (i.e. cardiovascular, nervous, muscular, etc.)
Describe Surface Anatomy
Looks at internal structures as they relate to overlying skin, visible muscle masses, or veins seen on surface
Define Anatomical Position
- Body erect
- Feet slightly apart
- Palms facing forward with thumbs pointing away from body
Define Directional Terms
Describing 1 body structure in relation to another body structure
- Direction is based on standard anatomical position
- Right & left refer to the body’s right & left
Describe the Directional Term: Superior (cranial)
Toward the head or upper part of the body; above
Describe the Directional Term: Inferior (caudal)
Away from the head or toward the lower part of the body; below
Describe the Directional Term: Anterior (ventral)
Toward or at the front of the body; front
Describe the Directional Term: Posterior (dorsal)
Toward or at the back of the body; back
Describe the Directional Term: Medial
Toward or at the midline of the body; toward the middle
Describe the Directional Term: Lateral
Away from the midline of the body; away from the middle
Describe the Directional Term: Intermediate
Between a more medial & a more lateral structure
Describe the Directional Term: Proximal
Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk; close in proximity to
Describe the Directional Term: Distal
Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk; away from the
Describe the Directional Term: Distal
Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk; away from
Describe the Directional Term: Superficial (external)
Toward or at the body surface; outside
Describe the Directional Term: Deep (internal)
Away from the body surface; inside
Define Regional Terms
Designate specific areas within body divisions
Describe the Regional Term: Axial
Head, neck, trunk
Describe the Regional Term: Appendicular
Limbs (legs & arms)
Define Body Planes
Surfaces along which body or structures may be cut for anatomical study
Describe the Body Plane: Sagittal Plane
Divides body vertically into right & left parts
Describe the Body Plane: Frontal (coronal) Plane
Divides body vertically into anterior & posterior parts
Describe the Body Plane: Transverse (horizontal) Plane
Divides body horizontally into superior & inferior parts
Describe the 2 types of Sagittal Planes
- Midsagittal (median) Plane: cut made on midline (down the midline)
- Parasagittal Plane: cut was off-centered (not down the middle)
Define Sections
Cuts or sections made along a body plane (named after body plane)
Define an Oblique Section
Result of cuts at angle other than 90 degrees to vertical plane
Define Body Cavities
Provide different degrees of protection to organs within them (closed to environment)
Describe the Dorsal Body Cavity
Protects nervous system
- Cranial Cavity: encases brain
- Vertebral Cavity: encases spinal cord
Define the Ventral Body Cavity
Houses viscera (internal organs)
Describe the 2 subdivisions of the Ventral Body Cavity
Thoracic Cavity
- 2 Pleural Cavities: surrounds 1 lung
- Mediastinum: contains pericardial cavity; surrounds thoracic organs (esophagus, trachea, etc.)
- Pericardial Cavity: encloses heart
Abdominopelvic Cavity
- Abdomical Cavity: contains stomach, intestines, spleen, & liver
- Pelvic Cavity: contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, & rectum
Define Serosa (serous membrane)
Thin, double-layered membranes that cover surfaces in ventral body cavity
Describe Parietal Serosa
Lines internal body cavity walls
Describe Visceral Serosa
Covers viscera
Define Pericardium
Protective fluid filled sac that surrounds heart
Define Pleurae
Thin, serous membranes that line the lungs
Define Peritoneum
Thin, serous membrane that line abdominopelvic cavity
What are the 4 Abdominopelvic Quadrants?
- Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
- Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
- Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
- Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)
What are the 9 Abdominopelvic Regions?
- Right Hypochondriac Region
- Epigastric Region
- Left Hypochondriac Region
- Right Lumbar (lateral) Region
- Umbilical Region
- Left Lumbar (lateral) Region
- Right iliac (inguinal) Region
- Hypogastric Region
- Left Iliac (inguinal) Region
