Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Structure and Function of the Body Flashcards
Dissection
A process used to isolate and study the structural components or parts of the human body
Anatomy
The study of the structure of an organism and the relationships of its parts
(derived from 2 Greek words that translate into “cutting up”)
Physiology
The study of the functions of living organisms and their parts; requires active experimentations
Scientific Method
Merely a systematic approach to discovery
Hypothesis
A reasonable guess based on previous informal observations or on previously tested explanations
Experimentation
The testing process
Control Group
The group in which receives the substitute or placebo drug
Test Group
The group in which receives the testing project
Theory or Law
If a hypothesis receives high levels of confidence it is referred to as a law or a theory
Organization
One of the most important characteristics of the body structure
Cells
The smallest “living” units of structure and function in our body
Tissues
An organization of many cells that act together to preform a common function
Organs
Larger and more complex group of tissues that are arranged in a way that allow them to work as a unit to perform a special function
Systems
Most complex unit that makes up the body; a type of organization that works together to perform complex functions within the body
(i.e. cardiovascular system, digestive system)
Anatomical Position
A reference position with the body in a standing position, with the arms at its sides with the palms of the hand facing forward
Supine
Body is laying face upward
Prone
Body is lying face downward
Directional Terms
Used to describe relative positions of body parts
i.e. Superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, êtc
Superior
Towards the head
Inferior
Towards the feet
Anterior
Front or in front of
Posterior
Back or in back of
Medial
Towards the midline
Lateral
Towards the sides, or away from the midline
Proximal
Toward or near the trunk of the body
Distal
Away from the farthest from the trunk or origin of a body part
Superficial
Near the surface
Deep
Farther away from the body’s surface
Saggital
A cut length wise running from front to back, separates the body into a left side and a right side
Frontal
A cut running length wise separating the body into a front side and a back side
Transverse
A cut running horizontally cutting the body into an upper half and a lower half
Ventral
Near the belly (includes the thoracic cavity, and abdominopelvic cavity)
Dorsal
Near the back (includes cranial and spinal cavities)
Thoracic Cavity
Chest cavity
Mediastinum
A subdivision in the midportion of the thoracic cavity
Pleural Cavities
A subdivision of the thorax
Pelvic Cavity
The lower portion of the ventral cavity; the distal portion of the abdominopelvic cavity
Diaphragm
The most important muscle for breathing, which separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity
Quadrants
Separates the body into 4 sections (UR, UL, LR, and LL)
9 Different Regions of the Abdominopelvic Region
Upper: Right hypochondriac region, Epigastric region, Left hypochondriac region
Middle: Right lumbar region, Umbilical region, Left lumbar region
Lower: Right iliac (inguinal) region, Hypogastric region, Left iliac (inguinal) region
Cranial Cavity
The space that contains the brain
Spinal Cavity
The space inside the spinal column
Abdominal
Anterior torso below diaphragm
Antebrachial
Forearm
Antecubital
Depressed area just in front of elbow
Axillary
Armpit
Brachial
Arm
Buccal
Cheek
Carpal
Wrist
Cephalic
Head
Cervical
Neck
Cranial
Skull
Crural
Leg
Cubital
Elbow*
Can also be used to refer to the forearm
Cutaneous
Skin
Digital
Fingers or toes
Dorsal
Back
Facial
Face
Frontal
Forehead
Nasal
Nose
Oral
Mouth
Orbital
Eyes
Zygomatic region
Upper cheek
Femoral
Thigh
Gluteal
Buttock
Inguinal
Groin
Lumbar
Lower back between ribs and pelvis
Mammary
Breast
Occipital
Back of lower skull
Olecranal
Back of elbow
Palmar
Palm of head
Pedal
Foot
Pelvic
Lower portion of torso
Perineal
Area between anus and genitals
Plantar
Sole of foot
Popliteal
Area behind knee
Supraclavicular
Area above clavicle
Tarsal
Ankle
Temporal
Side of skull
Thoracic
Chest
Umbilical
Area around naval
Volar
Palm or sole
Appendicular
Consists of upper and lower extremitiesn(arms and legs)
Axial
Consists of the head, neck, torso, and trunk
Atrophy
A degenerative process that results from disuse
Homeostasis
The relative constancy of the internal environment
Feedback Loop
Basic type of control system in the body
Sensor
Detects changes in temperature
Control Center
Compares the actual temperature with the normal temperature and responds by activating the response (whether by sweating or shivering)
Negative Feedback Loop
Oppose or negate a change in controlled conditions; most control loops in the body are negative
(i.e. Shivering when cold)
Positive Feedback Loop
These are stimulatory, which causes an ever increasing rates to occur until something stops
(i.e. Child birth)
Effector
Responding organ
