Intro to the Human Body Flashcards
Human Anatomy
Study of body structure
Human Physiology
Study of body functions- includes homeostasis (maintaining equilibrium in the body)
Where do we see that structure mirrors function? (Examples)
- Bones of the skull are heavy and secure to protect brain function
- The thin air sacs of the lungs permit movement of gases from the lungs to the blood
Surface anatomy
Study of the body surface (the outside of the body)
Gross anatomy
Study of anatomical structures (inside the body)
1. Systemic approach- the study of a general catagory (blood vessels, muscles, bones…)
2. Regional approach- all anatomical structures of a specific region
Developmental anatomy
Study of the development of a fertilized egg
Embryology- a subcategory (conception- 8th week of gestation)
Histology
Study of tissues
Cytology
Study of cellular structures
Pathology
Study of anatomical changes due to disease
Pathologists use gross inspection, cytologic, histologic, and lab examinations to discover the source of the disease
Autopsy
Postmortem exam of the body and internal organs performed by a pathologist
Done to determine cause of death, identify undetected diseases, determine extent of injuries, identify hereditary conditions
Levels of organization
Atom —> molecule —> cell —> tissue —> organ —> organ system —> organism
Cells
Basic structure and functional unit of an organism
Tissue
Group of cells that work together to perform a similar function
1. Epithelium
2. Connective Tissue
3. Muscle
4. Nerves
Organs
Structures composed of two or more different types of tissues (most have all 4)
Organs have specific functions and recognizable shapes
Organ system
Related organs with a common function
There are 11 organ systems in the body
Organism
A collection of organ systems- they all function together to create homeostasis
6 life processes:
Metabolism
Responsiveness
Movement
Growth
Differentiation
Reproduction
Metabolism
Sum of all catabolic (breaking down) and anabolic (building up) chemical processes that occur in the body
Responsiveness
The body’s ability to detect and respond to changes
Ex: decrease in body temp, responding to sound, nerve signals, muscle contractions…
Movement
Any motion including inside cells and organs
Growth
Increase in body size due to an increase in existing cells, number of cells, or both
Differentiation
Development of a cell from an unspecialized to specialized state
Stem cells give rise to cells that undergo differentiation
Reproduction
The formation of new cells (growth, repair, or replacement) or the production of a new individual
Homeostasis
A condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment
Intracellular fluid (ICF)
Fluid within cells
Extracellular fluid (ECF)
Fluid outside cells
Interstitial fluid
ECF between cells and tissues
Cell function depends on the regulation and composition of interstitial fluid
Composition changes as substances move between plasma and the fluid
Movement across capillary walls provides nutrients to tissue cells and removes waste
Examples of ECF
Blood plasma- within blood vessels
Lymph- within lymphatic vessels
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)- in the brain and spinal cord
Synovial fluid- in joints
Aqueous humor- in eyes
Threats to homeostasis
Physical insults (intense heat, lack of oxygen…)
Changes in internal environment (drop in blood glucose due to lack of food)
Physiological stress
Basic components of the feedback system
Receptor
Control center
Effector
Basic components of the feedback system
Receptor
Control center
Effector
Negative feedback system
Reverses a change in a controlled condition
Ex: regulation of blood pressure
Positive feedback system
Strengthens or reinforces a change in one of the body’s controlled conditions
Ex: normal child birth
What do you use to diagnose a disease?
Signs and symptoms
Medical history
Physical examination
Integumentary system
Structure: skin and related structures (hair, nails, glands)
Function: protects body, regulates temp, and eliminates wastes through sweat and other secretions
Skeletal system
Structure: bones and joints
Function: provides protection and support, houses cells that will become RBCs, WBCs, and platelets
Muscular system
Structure: named skeletal muscles, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle
Function: participates with the skeletal system to facilitate movement and maintain posture, generates the heat necessary for warm-blooded organisms to maintain a constant body temp
Nervous system
Structure: brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs
Function: senses and responds to body conditions through nerve impulses
Endocrine system
Structure: hormone-producing cells and glands scattered throughout the body
Function: regulates the body through chemical mechanisms (by releasing hormones into the blood)
Cardiovascular system
Structure: heart, blood, and blood vessels
Function: carries blood and nutrients to specific locations, regulates body temp and water balance
Lymphatic system and Immunity
Structure: lymphatic fluid, lymph nodes, lymphocytes, and other organs associated with the immune system (tonsils, spleen, thymus gland)
Function: transports fats and proteins to the cardiovascular system, filters blood and protects against disease
Respiratory system
Structure: upper airways, trachea, major bronchi, and lungs
Function: extracts oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide, regulates acid/base balance with help from the kidneys
Digestive system
Structure: esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs (salivary glands, liver, gallbladder)
Function: physically and chemically break down food and eliminate waste
Urinary system
Structure: kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
Function: involved in the collection and excretion of waste products in urine, and the regulation of fluid, electrolytes, and acid/base balance
Reproductive system
Structure: female- ovaries, uterus, vagina
male- testes, penis
Function: reproduction of an individual or organism
Anatomical position
The subject stands erect facing the observer with the head level, the eyes facing forward, feet flat on the floor directed forward, and the arms at their sides, palms forward
Superior
Above, top, toward head
Inferior
Below, bottom, away from head
Anterior (Ventral)
Toward the front
Posterior (Dorsal)
Toward the back
Medial
Toward the midline
Lateral
Away from midline
Intermediate
Between the medial and lateral
Proximal
Nearest to the origination
Distal
Farther from origination
Ipsilateral
Same side of the body (right arm and right leg)
Contralateral
Opposite side of the body (right arm and left leg)
Superficial
Towards the surface
Deep
Towards the core of the body
Visceral
Pertaining to a covering over an organ
Parietal
Pertaining to a covering against a cavity wall
Cranial
Skull
Cervical
Neck
Cubital
Elbow
Carpal
Wrist
Patellar
Front of knee
Orbital
Eye
Thoracic
Chest
Inguinal
Groin
Metacarpal
Hand/palm
Plantar
Sole of foot
Buccal
Cheek
Axillary
Armpit
Femoral
Thigh
Gluteal
Buttock
Tarsal
Ankle
Digital or Phalangeal
Toes or Fingers
Sagittal body plane
Divide the body into right and left sides
There’s only one midsagittal plane (midline) that divides the body into equal halves
Parasagittal planes to the right and left of the midsagittal plane divide the body into unequal “halves”
Frontal or coronal planes
Divide the body (or an organ) into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions
Transverse planes (also called cross-sectional or horizontal planes)
Divide the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions
Oblique planes
A division that passes through the body at an angle
What two major body cavities do human organs develop within?
- Dorsal cavity (brain and spinal cord)
- Ventral body cavity (everything else)
Cranial cavity
Formed by cranial bones and contains (and protects) brain
Vertebral canal
Formed by bones of vertebral column and contains spinal cord
Meninges
Layers of protective tissue that line the cranial cavity and vertebral column
Thoracic cavity (chest cavity)
Formed by the sternum, ribs, and thoracic portion of the bony vertebral column
Stabilized by the internal and external muscles of the chest
Mediastinal cavity
Located in the central part of the thoracic cavity
Pleural cavities
Contained within the thoracic cavity
Two fluid filled spaces that surround each lung
Pericardial cavity
Located within the middle part of the mediastinal cavity in the thoracic cavity
Fluid filled space that surrounds the heart
Abdominopelvic cavity
Extends from diaphragm to groin and is encircled by the abdominal wall and bones and muscles of the pelvis
1. Abdominal cavity- stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, intestines
2. Pelvic cavity- urinary bladder, internal organs of reproductive system, and portions of the large intestine
Pleural membrane
Serous membranes that cover the lungs (visceral pleura) and walls of the pleural cavity (parietal pleural)
Pericardial membrane
Serous membrane that covers the heart (visceral pericardium) and the pericardial cavity walls (parietal pericardium)
Peritoneal membrane
Serous membrane that covers the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum) and the abdominal cavity walls (parietal peritoneum)
Oral cavity (mouth)
Tongue and teeth
Nasal cavity
Part of the upper airways
Orbital cavities
Eyeballs, and various nerves and blood vessels
Middle ear cavities
Small bones of the middle ear
Synovial cavities
Found in freely moveable joints (like the large joints of the shoulder and hip)
Organs in the cranial cavity
Cranium: Brain
Vertebral canal: Spinal cord
Organs/structures in the thoracic cavity
Pleural: lungs
Mediastinum: thymus, esophagus, trachea, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, aorta
Pericardial: heart
Organs in the abdominopelvic cavity
Abdomen: stomach, liver, intestines,
Retroperitoneal: kidneys
Pelvic: urinary bladder, ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, testes
Diaphragm
A powerful skeletal muscle that divides the thorax from the abdomen
4 abdominopelvic quadrants
Vertical and horizontal lines pass thru the umbilicus (belly button)
1. RUQ- liver
2. LUQ- spleen and left kidney
3. RLQ- appendix
4. LLQ- left ovary
9 abdominopelvic regions
Like a tic tac toe board
Top row: right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac
Middle row: right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar
Bottom row: right inguinal, hypogastric, left inguinal
Noninvasive diagnostic techniques
Palpation- gently touching body surfaces with hands
Auscultation- listening to body sounds
Percussion- tapping on the body surfaces with fingertips and listening to echoes
