Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation Flashcards
Anatomy
studies the structure of the body parts and their relationships to one another
Physiology
concerns the function of the body; how the body works and carry out their life sustaining activities
Gross or Macroscopic Anatomy
the study of large body structures visible to the naked eye (heart, lungs, kidneys)
Regional Anatomy
all the structures in a particular region of the body (ie leg) are examined at the same time
Systemic Anatomy
body structure is studied system by system (ex: cardiovascular system you would look at the heart and blood vessels of the entire body)
Surface Anatomy
study of internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin surface; uses palpations
What are the subdivisions of gross anatomy?
regional, systemic, and surface anatomy
Microscopic Anatomy
deals with structures too small to be seen with the naked eye
Cytology
study of cells
Histology
study of tissues
What are the subdivisions of microscopic anatomy?
cytology and histology
Developmental Anatomy
traces structural changes that occur throughout the lifespan
Where does physiology often focus?
on molecular or cellular level
Principle of Complementary of Structure and Function
what a structure can do depends on its specific form
What is the simplest level of structural hierarchy?
chemical level
What is the smallest living thing?
cells
Tissues
groups of similar cells that have a common function
What are the four basic tissue types?
epithelial, muscle, connective, and nervous
Epithelial Tissue
covers the bodies surface and lines cavities
Muscle Tissue
provides movement
Connective Tissue
supports and protects body organs
Nervous Tissue
provides a means of rapid internal communication by transmitting electrical impulses
Organ
discrete structure composed of at least 2 tissue types that performs a specific functions for the body
Organ System
group of organs that work together to perform a vital body function ie nervous system
What is the highest level of organization?
the organism
Organismal Level
represents the sum total of all structural levels working together to keep us alive
Integumentary Sys
aka skin; encloses the whole body, protects internal organs from drying out, infection, heat, sunlight, chemical etc
Movement
includes the activities promoted by the muscular sys; also occurs when substances go through internal organs (such as blood)
Contractility
muscle cells ability to move by shortening
Reponsiveness
aka excitability; the ability to sense changes (stimuli) in the environment then respond to them
Digestion
the breaking down of ingested food to simple molecules that can be absorbed into the blood
Metabolism
includes all chemical reactions that occur within body cells
Excretion
process of removing wastes from the body
Growth
an increase in size of a body part or organism as a whole; usually accomplished by increasing the number of cells
What are some of our survival needs?
nutrients (food), oxygen, water, appropriate temperature and atmospheric pressure
Nutrients
chemical substances taken in via the diet that are used for energy and cell building
Oxygen
nutrients is useless without oxygen because the chemical reactions needed are oxidative
Water
50-60% body weigh; most abundant chemical substance; provides watery environment for reactions and fluid base
Normal Body Temp
must be maintained; too low temps causes reactions to slow and eventually stop; too high temps cause reactions to speed up and eventually stop
What generates most of our body heat?
muscular system
Appropriate Atmospheric Pressure
force that air exerts on the body; breathing depends on appropriate pressure
Homeostasis
state of body equilibrium or stable internal environment
Receptor
first component; sensor that monitors environment; responds to stimuli (change) by sending info to control center
Control Center
determines the set point (level that variable is to be maintained); analyzes input by comparing to set point and determines appropriate response; info flows from control center to effector
Effector
carries out the control centers response to the stimulus
Negative Feedback Mechanism
most common homeostatic control mechanism; net effect is that the output of the system shuts off the original system or reduces intensity; goal of preventing severe changes in the body
Positive Feedback Mechanism
initial response enhances the original stimulus so that further reponses are even greater; ie labor/childbirth and blood clotting
Anatomical Position
body is erect with feet slightly apart, palms face forward, and thumbs point away from the body
Superior
aka cranial; toward the head or upper part of a structure on the body; ex) head is superior to abdomen
Inferior
aka caudal; away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or body; ex) naval is inferior to chin
Anterior
aka ventral; toward or at the front of the body; ex) breastbone is anterior to the spine
Posterior
aka dorsal; toward or at the back of the body; behind; ex) heart is posterior to the breastbone
Medial
toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of; ex) heart is medial to the arm
Lateral
away from the midline of the body; on the other side of; ex) the arms are lateral to the chest
Intermediate
between a more medial and a more lateral structure; ex) collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder