Chapter 4: Body Structure Flashcards
Chromatin
A structural component of the nucleus, composed of nucleic acids and proteins.
Chromosome
Thread-like structures within the nucleus composed of DNA that carries hereditary information encoded in genes.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Molecule that holds genetic information capable of replicating and producing an exact copy when the cell divides.
Metabolsim
Sum of all physical and chemical changes that take place in a cell or an organism.
Organelle
Cell structure that provides a specialized function, such as the nucleus (reproduction), ribosomes (protein analysis), Golgi apparatus (removal of material from the cell), and lysosomes (digestion).
5 Levels of Organization
Cells Tissues Organs Organ Systems Organisms
Cells
1) Smallest structural, and functional unit of life.
2) Perform all activities associated with life.
3 main structures: cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus
Cytology
Study of the body at the cellular level.
Cell Membrane
Acts as a barrier that supports and protects intracellular contents.
Cytoplasm
Jelly-like matrix of proteins, salts, water, and dissolved gases and nutrients. Cytoplasm contains the cell’s organelles.
Organelle
Perform specific functions of the cell, such as reproduction and digestion.
Nucleus
Responsible for cell metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
Chromatin
Thread-like structures formed by DNA, located in the nucleus.
Chromosomes
Formed by chromatin when the cell is ready to divide. Each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes that determine an organisms genetic make up (with the exception of female ovum and male spermatozoa).
Tissues
Composed of similar cells that perform specialized or common functions.
Histology
The study of tissues.
4 Types of Tissues:
Epithelial, muscle, connective, nervous.
Epithelial Tissue
Covers the surfaces of organs, lines body cavities and canals, forms tubes and ducts, provides the secreting portion of glands, and makes up the epidermis.
Composed of cells arranged in a continuous sheet, consisting of 1 or more layers.
Connective Tissue
Supports and connects other body tissues.
Types: cartilage, adipose (fat), bone, elastic fiber, and even blood.
Muscle Tissue
Provides the contractile tissue of the body, which is responsible for movement.
Nervous Tissue
Transmits electrical impulses as it relays information throughout the entire body.
Organs
Body structures that perform specialized functions, composed of 2 or more tissue types.
Organ Systems
Composed of a varying number of organs and accessory structures that have a similar or related function.
Organism
Highest level of organization; complete living entity capable of independent existence; made of several body systems that work together to sustain life.
Anatomical Position
Body posture used as a position of reference to ensure uniformity and consistency in locating parts of the body. Body is erect, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms forward, feet parallel.
Plane
Imaginary flat surface that divides the body into 2 sections. These serve as points of reference to identify the different sections of the body.
Coronal (Frontal) Plane
Divides the body into anterior/posterior sections.
Transverse (Horizonal) Plane
Divides the body into top and bottom sections.
Midsagittal Plane
Runs through the center of the body, dividing it into right and left halves.
Directional terms do what?
Help indicate the position of structures, surfaces, and regions of the body. Identify the locations of diseases, injuries, or surgical sites.
Anterior (ventral)
Front of the body.
Posterior (Dorsal)
Back of the body.
Superior (Cephalad)
Toward the head/upper portion of a structure.
Inferior (Caudal)
Away from the head or toward the tail/lower part of the structure.
Lateral
Pertaining to a side.
Medial
Pertaining to the midline of the body or structure.
Abduction
Movement away from the midsagittal plane.
Adduction
Movement toward the midsagittal plane.
Proximal
Nearer to the center (trunk) of the body, or from the point of attachment to the body.
Distal
Further from the center (trunk) of the body, or from the point of attachment to the body.
Parietal
Pertaining to the outer wall of the body cavity.
Visceral
Pertaining to the viscera, or internal organs (especially the abdominal organs).
Prone
Lying on the abdomen (face down).
Supine
Lying horizontally on the back, face up.
Inversion
Turning inward or inside out.
Eversion
Turning outward.
Palmar
Pertaining to the palm of the hand.
Plantar
Pertaining to the sole of the foot.
Superficial
Toward the surface of the body (external).
Deep
Away from the surface of the body (internal).
Body Cavities
Spaces in the body that hold, separate, protect, and support intestinal organs.
Dorsal Cavity
Located on the back of the body (posterior). Divided into cranial and spinal cavities. Continuous, no wall separates the cranial and spinal cavities.
Cranial Cavity
Formed by the skull, contains the brain.
Spinal Cavity
Formed by the spine, contains the spinal cord.
Meninges
Membranes that line the dorsal cavity and cover the brain/spinal cord.
Ventral
Located at the front of the body (anterior). Divided into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Diaphragm
Separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Thoracic Cavity
Contains the heart and lungs.
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Divided into the abdominal and pelvic cavities.
Abdominal Cavity
Contains the liver, stomach, intestines, and kidneys.
Pelvic Cavity
Contains the urinary bladder and reproductive organs.
Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions
Divides the abdominopelvic cavity into sections to describe the location of organs.
Quadrants (4)
RUQ, RLQ, LUQ, and LLQ.
Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)
Contains the right lobe of the liver, gallbladder, part of the pancreas, and part of the small and large intestines.
Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)
Contains part of the large and small intestines, appendix, right ovary, right fallopian tube, and right ureter.
Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)
Contains the left lobe of the liver, stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, and part of the large and small intestines.
Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)
Contains part of the large and small intestines, left ovary, left fallopian tube, and left ureter.
Regions (9)
Right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac, right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar, right inguinal (iliac), hypogastric, and left inguinal (iliac).
Right Hypochondriac
Upper, right, lateral region beneath the ribs.
Epigastric
Upper middle region.