Compendium 1. Anatomy and Physiology

Question 1

Define Homeostasis

Answer 1

The maintenance of a relatively constant environment within an organism

Question 2

Define Macroscopic

Answer 2

Structures that are large enough that they can be seen without a microscope (tissues and organs)

Question 3

Define Microscopic

Answer 3

Structures that are too small to be seen without microscope (tissues and cells)

Question 4

Define Organsim

Answer 4

A living thing

Question 5

Define Anatomical Position

Answer 5

An erect person who is ;

• Facing forward
• Lying/standing straight
• Feet pointing forwards and flat on the ground
• Arms hanging by their sides
• Palms facing forward

Question 6

Describe “Anterior”

Answer 6

Closer to the front of the body

Question 7

Describe “Posterior”

Answer 7

Closer to the back of the body

Question 8

Describe “Superior”

Answer 8

Above another structure

Question 9

Describe “Inferior”

Answer 9

Below another structure

Question 10

Describe “Medial”

Answer 10

Closer to the midline of the body

Question 11

Describe “Lateral”

Answer 11

Further away from the body

Question 12

Describe “Proximal”

Answer 12

Closer to the point of attachment

Question 13

Describe “Distal”

Answer 13

Further away from the point of attachment

Question 14

Describe “Superficial”

Answer 14

Towards the surface

Question 15

Describe “Deep”

Answer 15

Deeper in the body, away from the surface

Question 16

Describe “Caudal”

Answer 16

Closer to the tail

Question 17

Describe “Cranial”

Answer 17

Closer to the cranium

Question 18

What are the four main body planes?

Answer 18

1. Sagittal Plane
2. Frontal Plane
3. Transverse Plane
4. Oblique Plane

Question 19

Describe the Sagittal plane

Answer 19

Runs vertically down the body, from head to toe, splitting it into left and right halves.

Question 20

What does mid-sagittal or median plane mean?

Answer 20

When the body is split into two equal halves (eg right down the middle)

Question 21

Describe the Frontal plane

Answer 21

Runs vertically down the body, from head to toe, splitting it into anterior and posterior halves.
Also known as the coronal plane.

Question 22

Describe the Transverse plane

Answer 22

Runs horizontal through the body, splitting it into superior and inferior halves

Question 23

Describe the Oblique plane

Answer 23

Runs through the body at an angle

Question 24

What are the three main body cavities?

Answer 24

1. Thoracic Cavity
2. Abdominal Cavity
3. Pelvic Cavity

Question 25

Describe the Thoracic cavity

Answer 25

• Consists of the Mediastinum (which consists of the Oesophagus, Trachea, Heart)
• It is the cavity above the diaphragm

Question 26

Describe the Abdominal cavity

Answer 26

• Consists of the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, pancreas and kidneys
• The cavity below the diaphragm
• The largest of the three cavities

Question 27

Define Supine and Prone

Answer 27

Supine position - person lying face up

Prone position - person lying face down

Question 28

What are serious membranes?

Answer 28

• Also known as Serosa

- They line the individual organs and cavities within the body.

Question 29

What are the two layers of serious membranes?

Answer 29

• Parietal (Lines the trunk aka outer layer)

- Visceral (Lines the organs aka inner layer)

Question 30

What are the three main serious membranes?

Answer 30

1. Heart - pericardium
2. Lung and thoracic cavity - pleura
3. Abdomiopelvic cavity - peritoneum

Question 31

What does retro-peritoneum mean?

Answer 31

Refers to the structures that are sitting behind the peritoneum

Question 32

What is the study of anatomy?

Answer 32

It is the study of the structure of the human body and how each part functions (static field of study)

Question 33

What is the study of physiology?

Answer 33

The study of the function of living things.

Question 34

What are the six characteristics of organisms?

Answer 34

1. Organisation - The interactions between the different parts of an organism to perform specific functions.
2. Metabolism - Chemical reactions that take place within an organism
3. Responsiveness - The ability to adjust to changes when necessary
4. Growth
5. Development - Changes that occur throughout time
6. Reproduction - The formation of new cells or a new organism

Question 35

Define “Medulla”

Answer 35

The inner (or middle) part of an organ

Question 36

Define “Cortex”

Answer 36

The outer (or peripheral) part of an organ