Human Organisation and Homeostasis Flashcards
Abdominal Cavity
A space in the human body that encloses the spleen, liver, stomach, gallbladder, small intestine and most of the large intestine.
Afferent Pathway
Input from a receptor that is sent to a control center.
Anatomical Position
The standard position of reference for defining regions or parts of a human body.
Anatomy
The science of body structures and the relationships between them.
Anterior
Nearer to or at the front of the body.
Atom
The smallest units of matter in the human body.
Cell
The basic functional units of an organism that are composed of chemicals.
Control Center
A body structure that sets the range of values which a controlled condition should be maintained within.
Cranial Cavity
A space in the body that is formed by cranial bones and contains the brain.
Deep
Away from the surface of the body. Example; the ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back.
Distal
Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk. Example; the finger bones (phalanges) are distal to the wrist bones.
Dorsal
Nearer to or at the back of the body (also known as posterior)
Effector
A body structure that receives output from a control center and produces a response that changes the controlled condition.
Efferent Pathway
Output from a control center that is sent to an effector.
Frontal/coronal plane
A vertical plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior and posterior sections.
Homeostasis
The condition of balance in the body’s internal environment.
Inferior
Away from the head OR lower part of a structure. Example; the stomach is inferior to the lungs.
Lateral
Farther away from the midline. Example; the lungs are lateral to the heart.
Medial
Nearer to the midline. Example: the heart is medial to the lungs.
Midsagittal Plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left EQUAL right and left sides.
Mediastinum
The central portion of the thoracic cavity between the lungs; contains the heart, thymus, oesophagus, trachea and several large blood vessels.
Molecule
Two or more atoms that join together. Example: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and glucose.
Negative Feedback
A cycle of events in which a change in a controlled condition is reversed.
Organ
Body structures that are composed of two different types of tissues, have recognizable shapes and have specific functions.
Organ System
Related organs with a common function. Example: the digestive system.
Organism
A living being. All levels from chemical to systemic combined.
Pelvic Cavity
Part of the abdominopelvic cavity. Contains urinary bladder, portions of large intestine and the internal reproductive organs.
Pericardial Cavity
A fluid filled space around the heart. Part of the thoracic cavity.
Physiology
Science of body functions: how the body parts work.
Pleural Cavities
Two fluid filled spaces around the lungs. Part of the thoracic cavity.
Posterior
Nearer to or at the back of the body. Example: the spine is posterior to the breastbone.
Positive Feedback
A cycle of events in which a change in a controlled condition is enhanced or strengthened.
Proximal
Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk. Example: the humerus is proximal to the radius.
Receptor
A body structure that monitors change in a controlled environment and sends input to a control center.
Superficial
Towards or on the surface of the body. Example: the ribs are superficial to the lungs.
Superior
Towards the head or upper part of the structure. Example: the head is superior to the lungs.
Thoracic Cavity
A space in the upper/middle part of the chest formed by the ribs, sternum, muscles of the chest, breastbone and the thoracic section of the backbone.
Tissue
Groups of cells. There are three types of tissue: Epithelial, Muscular and Nervous.
Transverse Plane
A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.
Ventral
Nearer to or at the front of the body. Also known as anterior.
Vertebral Canal
A space that is continuous with the cranial cavity. Formed by the vertebral column and contains the spinal cord and the beginnings of spinal nerves.
