Compendium 1 Flashcards
Define ‘anatomy’.
The area of science that focuses on the structure of organisms and their parts; the organisation of living things.
Define ‘physiology’.
The area of biology that focuses on the functions of living organisms and their parts.
Describe the 4 levels of Anatomy including subtypes.
- Gross Anatomy - the study of structures without the use of a microscope.
Can be broken into two areas:a. Systematic Anatomy - system to systemb. Regional Anatomy - examining by area - Surface Anatomy - study of the surface of the body for a better understanding of the structures underneath.
- Microscopic Anatomy - levels of anatomy studied with a microscope:
a. cytology (cells)b. Histology (tissues) - Developmental Anatomy - focuses on the structural changes to the body throughout the lifespan. Starting from as early as fertilisation to death.
Describe the 3 levels of Physiology.
- Molecular
- Cellular
- Systematic
Describe the 6 levels of organisation in the body.
- Chemical level - how atoms (e.g. hydrogen, carbon) interact and combine to form molecules (e.g. DNA, RNA, sugar, water)
- Cellular level – how molecule interact and combine to form organelles (e.g. nucleus, mitochondrion) of a cell.
- Tissue level – how a variety of cells, and the surrounding tissue, join to form a tissue type (e.g. smooth muscle tissue)
- Organ level – two or more tissue types form an organ that performs one or more functions (e.g. bladder)
- Organ system level – a group of organs performing a common function make up a system.
- Organism level – anything living considered as a whole.
List the 6 characteristics of living organisms.
- Organisation – the arrangement of parts of an organism and how they perform their functions.
- Metabolism – the ability to use energy and perform vital functions.
- Responsiveness – the ability to sense and adapt to environment.
- Growth – increase in number of cells thus enlargement of an organism.
- Development – the changes an organism undergoes through time.
- Reproduction – the ability to form new cells and new organism.
Define ‘homeostasis’.
Homeostasis – the bodies maintenance of a stable environment inside the human body. e.g. body temperature, blood pressure, pH, glucose, oxygen
Homeostasis systems maintain the body near an ideal range, the set point.
Slightly above or below the set point is the normal range.
Failure of homeostasis can lead to disease, even death
List the characteristics of the anatomical position.
- Face directed forwards.
- Upper limbs by side; palms forward.
- Lower limbs straight.
What does superior and inferior mean?
Superior – towards the head
Inferior – towards the tail
What does anterior and posterior mean?
Anterior – towards the front
Posterior – towards the back
What does medial and lateral mean?
Medial – towards the midline of the body
Lateral – away from the midline of the body
What does superficial and deep mean?
Superficial – closer to the surface
Deep – towards the interior of the body
What does distal and proximal mean?
Distal – means “far from”
Proximal - means “close to”
e.g. the elbow is proximal to the shoulder, whereas the wrist is distal to the shoulder
What does supine and prone mean?
Supine: lying face up
Prone: lying face down
List the 4 body planes.
- Sagittal plane
- Frontal plane
- Transverse plane
- Oblique plane
