Midterm (1-5) Flashcards
Anatomy
‘Anatomy’ refers to the “structure” of the human body. The, “what is where” in the body?
Dissection
‘Dissection’ is cutting the body apart to isolate its components.
This is important so that we may know when a structure ends and another begins.
Physiology
‘Physiology’ is concerned with HOW the body works – how its structures work together to function in support of the human organism as a whole.
Disease
‘Disease’ is a departure from the “typical” structure and/or function of the body, with that departure pushing physiological function away from internal stability.
This plays a crucial role in helping us understand how the body SHOULD look and act.
Pathology
‘Pathology’ is the scientific study of diseases. How disease processes result from or cause abnormalities in normative body structure and/or function.
Chemical Level
‘Chemical Level’ is the SMALLEST organizational level of the body. This refers to atoms that combine to make molecules, and molecules make up organelles
(What are organelles?)
Organelles
‘Organelles’ are “little organs” of a cell (e.g., nucleus, mitochondria, etc)
Cells
‘Cells’ are the smallest and simplest “living” components of the human body
Tissues
‘Tissues’ are groups of specialized cells that make up tissues
Organs
‘Organs’ are a number of kinds of tissues that work collectively to to perform one or more specialized functions
Microscopic Anatomical Features
This refers to when things such as, chemicals and cellular levels, need a microscope to see
Gross Anatomical Features
[“Gross” meaning “obvious”]
This refers to when we can see organs with our naked eye
Systems
‘Systems’ are the LARGEST organizational level of the human body.
Systems are made up of a collection of organs that are organized to perform some higher-level function.
Anatomical Position
Erect (standing) position, facing forward.
Palms of the hands face the viewer, as well as the feet and toes.
Supine Position
Body laying down, facing up
Prone Position
Body lying down, facing down
(Anatomical Direction): Superior
When a body part is referred to as: vertically closer to the TOP
(Anatomical Direction): Inferior
When a body part is referred to as: closer to the BOTTOM of the feet
(Anatomical Direction): Anterior
When a body part is referred to as: towards the FRONT of the body
(Anatomical Direction): Posterior
When a body part is referred to as: towards the BACK of the body
‘Ventral’ and ‘Dorsal’
‘Ventral’ meaning FRONT
‘Dorsal’ meaning BACK
These are use interchangeably with ‘anterior’ and ‘posterior’ when referring to human and animal body parts
(Anatomical Direction): Medial
A body part that is CLOSER TO THE MIDDLE division of the body
(Anatomical Direction): Lateral
A body part that is FARTHER AWAY from the midline of the body
(Anatomical Direction): Proximal
When describing the location of points on a limb, ‘Proximal’ is CLOSER to the limb’s point of attachment to the body
(Anatomical Direction): Distal
When describing the location of points on a limb, ‘Distal’ is FURTHER away from the limb’s point of attachment to the body
(Anatomical Direction): Superficial
A location TOWARDS THE SURFACE of a body structure or organ
(Anatomical Direction): Deep
A location that is TOWARDS THE CENTRE of a body structure or organ
Sections
Term used to describe “cuts” of the body
Sagittal section
Vertical cut that divides the body into left and right parts. This cut can be made anywhere down the body
Parasagittal section
If a cut down the body does not result in symmetrical left and right sides
Mid-sagittal section
If a cut on the body is made directly on the midline of the body.
This divides the body into symmetrical right and left equal sides.
Frontal/coronal section
Vertical cut on the body that divides the body into front and back
Transverse/cross section
Horizontal cut that divides the body into top and bottom
These NEVER divide the body into “equal” halves
Oblique plane
Body cuts in any direction (i.e., diagonal cuts)
Ventral and Dorsal Cavity
These are the two major body cavities
Ventral cavity: “front” of the body
Dorsal cavity: “back” of the body
Cranial cavity
- Housed in the dorsal cavity
- Formed by skull
- Contains the brain
Spinal cavity
- Housed in the dorsal cavity
- Formed by vertebrae
- Contains spinal cord
(Superior) Thoracic cavity
- Housed in the ventral cavity
- Holds 3 cavities: left pleural cavity (left lung), right pleural cavity (right lung), pericardial cavity (heart)
Mediastinum
Separates the three cavities (left pleural cavity, right pleural cavity, pericardial cavity) of the thoracic cavity
(Inferior) Abdominopelvic cavity
Can be subdivided into the:
- (Superior) Abdominal cavity, holding the stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, small intestine and most of the large intestine
- (Inferior) Pelvic cavity, holding the bladder and internal reproductive organs
Diaphragm
Separates the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity apart
Abdominopelvic quadrants
This cavity is so large that it is helpful to have location cues to describe where specific organs are located
(RUQ, RLQ, LUQ, LLQ)
Homeostasis
The relative constancy of the internal environment. In other words, the ability to maintain internal stability. This is an optimal state.
Feedback loops
When our body constantly adjusts in order to get back into “comfortable” range
Negative feedback loops
This pushes the body TOWARD the desired conditions.
This is the main mechanism of homeostasis.
Positive feedback loops
This pushes the body AWAY from “normal” by amplifying a response in the same direction, whereas negative feedback loops does the opposite
The Integumentary System
- Skin
- Largest organ in your body
- 3 layers: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
The Skeletal System
Cartilage, ligaments, marrow
The Muscular System
Skeletal muscles, involuntary muscle, smooth muscle, cardiac muscle
The Nervous System
Central nervous system (CNS) & peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The Endocrine System
Secretes hormones.
Can be referred to as ‘neuroendocrine system’ since the endocrine system works with the nervous system
The Cardiovascular System
The heart, arteries, veins, capillaries
Lymphatic System and Immunity
Lymphatic organs (lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, tonsils) and lymphatic vessels
The Respiratory System
The respiratory system plays an important role in getting oxygen to cells, and carbon dioxide away from cells.
The CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM -> transports these gases
The RESPIRATORY SYSTEM -> does the work of gas exchange
The Digestive System
Facilitates the ingestion of food and drink and excretes wastes. It is a tube that is open on each end, sometimes referred to as the alimentary canal
The Urinary System
Includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. This system filters your blood, removing waste and excess water.
