Intro & Histology Week 3 & 4

Question 1

Describe the Sagittal Plane

Answer 1

This plane divides the body into left and right sections. If it cuts the body exactly down the middle, it’s called the midsagittal or median plane.

Question 2

Describe the Frontal (Coronal) Plane:

Answer 2

This plane divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.

Question 3

Describe the Transverse (Horizontal) Plane:

Answer 3

This plane divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections.

Question 4

Describe the Oblique Plane

Answer 4

This is any plane that cuts across the body at an angle, rather than horizontally or vertically.

Question 5

Name the 4 main body cavities

Answer 5

Cranial cavity
Thoracic cavity
Abdominal cavity
Pelvic cavity

Question 6

Where is the cranial cavity located?

Answer 6

This cavity is located within the skull and encloses the brain.

Question 7

Where is the thoracic cavity located?

Answer 7

This cavity, located in the chest, houses the lungs and heart, protected by the rib cage.

Question 8

What does the abdominal cavity contain?

Answer 8

This cavity contains many digestive organs, including the stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys.

Question 9

Where is the pelvic cavity located?

Answer 9

Located below the abdominal cavity, the pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs, such as the uterus and ovaries.

Question 10

Name the 9 regions that subdivide the abdominal cavity.

Answer 10

Right Hypochondriac Region
Epigastric Region
Left Hypochondriac Region
Right Lumbar Region
Umbilical Region
Left Lumbar Region
Right Iliac (Inguinal) Region
Hypogastric (Pubic) Region
Left Iliac (Inguinal) Region

Question 11

Where is the right hypochondriac region located and what does it contain?

Answer 11

Located in the upper right area, this region contains parts of the liver and gallbladder.

Question 12

Where is the epigastric region located and what does it include?

Answer 12

Positioned in the upper central area, this region includes parts of the stomach and liver.

Question 13

Where is the left hypochondriac region located and what does it contain?

Answer 13

Located in the upper left area, this region contains parts of the stomach and spleen.

Question 14

Where is the right lumbar region located and what does it include?

Answer 14

Situated in the middle right section, this region includes parts of the large intestine.

Question 15

Where is the umbilical region located and what does it contain?

Answer 15

Found in the central area around the navel, this region contains parts of the small intestine.

Question 16

Where is the left lumbar region located and what does parts does it include?

Answer 16

Positioned in the middle left section, this region also includes parts of the large intestine.

Question 17

Where is the Right Iliac (Inguinal) Region located and what does it include?

Answer 17

Located in the lower right area, this region includes the appendix and parts of the intestines.

Question 18

Where is the Hypogastric (Pubic) Region located and what does it include?

Answer 18

Located in the lower central area, this region contains the bladder and parts of the reproductive organs.

Question 19

Where is the Left Iliac (Inguinal) Region located and what does it include?

Answer 19

Found in the lower left area, this region includes parts of the intestines.

Question 20

Name the 4 main types of tissue that make up the body

Answer 20

Epithelial tissue
Connective tissue
Muscle tissue
Nervous tissue

Question 21

Give a brief description of epithelial tissue?

Answer 21

This tissue type covers body surfaces, lines internal organs, and forms glands.

Question 22

Give a brief description of connective tissue

Answer 22

Connective tissue provides support and structure to the body, connecting different tissues and organs.

Question 23

Give a brief description of muscle tissue

Answer 23

Muscle tissue enables movement and force generation.

Question 24

Give a brief description of nervous tissue

Answer 24

Nervous tissue transmits electrical impulses, allowing for communication between different parts of the body.

Question 25

Explain the function of the serous membrane lining the ventral body cavity and covering its organs: The serous membrane, also known as______, is a ________________that covers the organs within the________.
This membrane has two main layers: one layer lines the ______ and the other ______.
The serous membrane produces a small amount of ___ called ____which allows organs to move smoothly against each other without friction.

Answer 25

the serosa, thin tissue lining

ventral body cavity (which includes areas such as the chest and abdomen).

cavity walls ; covers the organs within those cavities.
fluid, serous fluid

Question 26

A woman arrives after her routine antibody screen, diabetes screen and hemotocrit level check at 28 weeks gestation. You explain that you need blood from her and antecubital and digital regions. What parts of the body will you draw blood from?

Answer 26

Antecubital region (inside the elbow)
Digital (finger prick)

Question 27

Hematocrit levels define

Answer 27

Hematocrit is a blood test that measures how much of a person’s blood is made up of red blood cells as opposed to plasma.

Question 28

List the most important functions of epithelial tissues and give examples of each.

Answer 28

Protection- the skin’s outer layer, which is epithelial tissue, protects the body against harmful substances and infections.

secretion- Some epithelial tissues produce and release substances, like hormones, mucus, and enzymes

absorption- Certain epithelial tissues are specialized to absorb nutrients and other substances.

excretion-Epithelial tissues are involved in the excretion of waste products.

Question 29

Give five examples of connective tissues

Answer 29

Bone (strong tissue, provides support)
Cartilage (flexible supportive tissue)
Blood (liquid tissue, transfers nutrients, wastes and oxygen)
Adipose tissue (fat tissue, stores energy)
Ligaments (connects bones to bones)

Question 30

Describe the functions of adipose tissue

Answer 30

Energy storage-Adipose tissue stores energy in the form of fat.

Insulation in temperature regulation-Adipose tissue helps regulate body temperature by providing insulation.

Protection and cushioning- provides protection and cushion around vital organs protecting them from physical shock.

Question 31

Describe the functions of cartilage

Answer 31

Structure and support- Cartilage provides structural support in areas where flexibility is needed, such as in the nose, ear, and joints.

Cushioning and Shock Absorption: Cartilage acts as a cushion between bones, especially in joints like the knees, hips, and spine. This cushioning function helps absorb impact and reduce friction between bones.

Flexibility in the Pelvis: Hormonal changes in pregnancy can increase the flexibility of cartilage in the pelvic region, particularly in the pubic symphysis (the joint at the front of the pelvis).

Question 32

Describe the function of elastic tissue

Answer 32

Flexibility and Stretching: Elastic tissue is present in areas of the body that need to stretch and contract repeatedly, such as the walls of large arteries, lungs, and certain ligaments.

Support in the Respiratory System: The lungs contain elastic tissue, which allows them to expand and contract with each breath.

Pelvic Flexibility: In the pelvic region, elastic tissue helps support ligaments that allow flexibility.

Question 33

Describe the functions of areolar tissue

Answer 33

Binding and Support: Areolar tissue binds different tissues together, acting as a flexible packing material throughout the body. It helps connect skin to underlying muscles and supports internal organs.

Nutrient and Waste Exchange: Areolar tissue has a rich blood supply, making it ideal for facilitating the exchange of nutrients and waste between tissues.

Defense Against Infection: Areolar tissue contains cells that help protect the body against infection.

Question 34

Explain the ways neurons are similar to other cells

Answer 34

Basic Cell Structure: Neurons, like most cells, have a cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm. The cell membrane controls the entry and exit of substances, helping neurons maintain the balance of ions and nutrients necessary for nerve signaling.

Genetic Material: Neurons contain DNA within their nucleus, just like other cells.

Energy Production: Neurons produce energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration, a process common to all cells. This energy is essential for maintaining the neuron’s function, especially for transmitting signals.

Question 35

Explain how neurons are different from other cells

Answer 35

Specialized Structure: Unlike most cells, neurons have a unique structure with extensions called dendrites and axons. Dendrites receive signals from other neurons, while the axon transmits signals over long distances.

Electrochemical Signaling: Neurons are able to generate and conduct electrical impulses, which is not a feature of most other cells.

Limited Regeneration: Unlike many cells in the body, neurons have limited ability to divide and regenerate. This means that once a neuron is damaged, it may not be easily replaced.

Question 36

Name the structures of the peripheral nervous system

Answer 36

Cranial nerves
Spinal nerves
Sensory and motor divisions
Autonomic nervous system

Question 37

How many cranial nerves are in the peripheral nervous system? And what do they serve in the body?

Answer 37

12 pairs (primarily serving the head and neck, some cranial nerves impact functions in the chest and abdomen, helping regulate processes like heart rate and digestion)

Question 38

How many spinal nerves in the peripheral system are there? Where do they branch from and where do they go? What kind of information and commands do they send, and what does this info help the body do?

Answer 38

31 pairs of nerves, branch from the spinal cord and extend to various parts of the body

Spinal nerves carry sensory information to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to muscles. This communication helps maintain stability, posture, and movement.

Question 39

Give a brief description of the sensory and motor division in the peripheral system:

Answer 39

The PNS is divided into sensory (afferent) pathways, which bring information from the body to the CNS, and motor (efferent) pathways, which carry commands from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Question 40

Give a brief description of the autonomic nervous system within the peripheral system:

Answer 40

This part of the PNS regulates involuntary functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. The ANS is further divided into the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) divisions.

Question 41

Name the structures of the central nervous system

Answer 41

*Brain
-cerebrum
-cerebellum
-brainstem
*Spinal cord

Question 42

Give a brief description of the brain’s responsibility in the central nervous system

Answer 42

The brain is the command center of the CNS, responsible for processing sensory information, controlling motor functions, and regulating emotions and cognition.

Question 43

What is the largest part of the brain called in the central nervous system what is its function?

Answer 43

Cerebrum- thinking, memory, and voluntary movement

Question 44

What part of the brain controls balance & coordination?

Answer 44

Cerebellum

Question 45

Part of the brain connects the brain to the spinal cord and regulates vital functions including heart rate?

Answer 45

Brainstem

Question 46

Give a brief description of the spinal cords function

Answer 46

The spinal cord is the primary pathway for transmitting information between the brain and the rest of the body. It facilitates reflexes and carries sensory and motor signals, which help the body respond to changes in balance and posture as the pregnancy progresses.

Question 47

Briefly describe the difference between autonomic & somatic nervous system

Answer 47

The ANS regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It operates automatically, without conscious control, and is divided into the sympathetic (responsible for “fight or flight” responses) and parasympathetic (responsible for “rest and digest” activities) branches.

The SNS controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information from the body to the central nervous system. It manages conscious actions, such as moving muscles in response to changing posture..

Question 48

Briefly describe the functions governed by the sympathetic nervous system

Answer 48

The sympathetic nervous system triggers “fight or flight,” raising heart rate and sending blood to muscles, helping the body manage stress in labor.

Question 49

Briefly describe the functions governed by the parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 49

is part of the autonomic nervous system and is responsible for the “rest and digest” functions in the body. It helps to slow the heart rate, increase digestive activity, and promote relaxation by conserving energy.

Question 50

What structures make up the forebrain?

Answer 50

Cerebrum
Thalamus
Hypothalamus

Question 51

What’s the general function of the forebrain?

Answer 51

The forebrain is responsible for managing complex functions such as thought, emotion, sensory processing, and hormone regulation.

Question 52

What makes up the brainstem?

Answer 52

The brainstem consists of three main structures: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata

Question 53

What’s the function of the midbrain? (Within brainstem)

Answer 53

Controls visual and auditory reflexes, helping mothers remain alert and responsive to their surroundings.

Question 54

What’s the function of pons in the brainstem?

Answer 54

Connects different parts of the brain and regulates breathing patterns

Question 55

What’s the function of the medulla oblongata ? (Within brainstem)

Answer 55

Regulates heart rate, blood pressure, and reflexes such as swallowing