Chapter 1 intro Flashcards
Define anatomy and physiology.
Anatomy is the study of body structure and organization. It examines the arrangement of body parts and how they relate to one another.
Physiology is the study of body functions, explaining how the body’s structures work individually and together to sustain life.
Describe the levels of organization in the human body.
The body has several levels of increasing complexity:
Chemical Level – Atoms and molecules that form the basis of life.
Cellular Level – The basic structural and functional units of life.
Tissue Level – Groups of similar cells working together to perform a function.
Organ Level – Structures composed of multiple tissue types that perform specific functions.
Organ System Level – Groups of organs working together for a common function.
Organismal Level – The entire living being, where all systems function in coordination.
List the major organs and functions for each organ system.
Integumentary System – Skin, hair, nails; protects the body, regulates temperature.
Cardiovascular System – Heart, blood, vessels; transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste.
Skeletal System – Bones, cartilage, ligaments; supports the body and protects organs.
Lymphoid System – Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus; defends against infection.
Muscular System – Skeletal muscles; enables movement and maintains posture.
Respiratory System – Lungs, trachea, bronchi; facilitates gas exchange.
Nervous System – Brain, spinal cord, nerves; processes sensory input and controls responses.
Urinary System – Kidneys, bladder, urethra; removes waste and regulates fluids.
Endocrine System – Glands such as the thyroid and pancreas; regulates hormones.
Reproductive System – Testes, ovaries, uterus; responsible for producing offspring.
Digestive System – Stomach, intestines, liver; processes food and absorbs nutrients
Use directional terms to describe the locations of body parts.
Anterior (ventral) vs. Posterior (dorsal)
Anterior means toward the front (e.g., the abdomen is anterior to the back).
Posterior means toward the back (e.g., the spine is posterior to the face).
Superior (cephalic) vs. Inferior (caudal)
Superior means toward the head (e.g., the nose is superior to the mouth).
Inferior means away from the head (e.g., the navel is inferior to the nipples).
Medial vs. Lateral
Medial means closer to the midline (e.g., the breastbone is medial to the nipples).
Lateral means farther from the midline (e.g., the ears are lateral to the cheeks).
Superficial (external) vs. Deep (internal)
Superficial means closer to the surface (e.g., the skin is superficial to the muscles).
Deep means farther from the surface (e.g., the intestines are deep to the abdominal muscles).
Proximal vs. Distal
Proximal means closer to the point of attachment (e.g., the elbow is proximal to the wrist).
Distal means farther from the point of attachment (e.g., the hand is distal to the wrist).
Central vs. Peripheral
Central means near the center of the body or organ (e.g., the central nervous system is in the middle of the body).
Peripheral means away from the center (e.g., the peripheral nervous system extends away from the central nervous system).
Describe the three planes used in making sections of the body or body parts.
Transverse Plane – Divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.
Sagittal Plane – Divides the body into left and right portions. A midsagittal cut creates equal halves.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane – Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
List the five basic needs essential for human life.
Food – Provides nutrients and energy.
Water – Essential for metabolism and temperature regulation.
Oxygen – Needed for cellular respiration and energy production.
Body Temperature – Must be maintained within a stable range for enzyme function.
Atmospheric Pressure – Necessary for proper breathing and gas exchange in the lungs.
Define and explain how homeostasis relates to both healthy body functions and disorders.
Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
It is regulated by negative-feedback mechanisms, which involve receptors detecting changes, an integrating center processing the information, and effectors initiating a response.
