Week 1 - Introduction to Human Body Flashcards
1
Q
Abdominal cavity
A
Superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder, most of the small intestine, and part of the large intestine.
2
Q
Abdominopelvic cavity
A
A cavity inferior to the diaphragm that is subdivided into a superior abdominal cavity and an inferior pelvic cavity.
3
Q
Adrenal glands
A
Two glands located superior to each kidney. Also called the suprarenal (soo′-pra-RĒ-nal) glands.
4
Q
Anabolism
A
Synthetic, energy-requiring reactions whereby small molecules are built up into larger ones.
5
Q
Blood plasma
A
Blood plasma is the yellowish fluid component of blood that carries various substances, such as nutrients, hormones, antibodies, and waste products, throughout the body, while also helping to maintain blood pressure and pH balance.
6
Q
Body cavities
A
Space within the body that contains various internal organs.
7
Q
Cartilages
A
Cartilages are tough and flexible connective tissues found in various parts of the body, such as the joints, nose, ears, and respiratory system, providing support, cushioning, and enabling smooth movement.
8
Q
Catabolism
A
Chemical reactions that break down complex organic compounds into simple ones, with the net release of energy.
9
Q
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
A
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord, providing them with nutrients, removing waste products, and acting as a cushion against injury.
10
Q
Cranial cavity
A
A subdivision of the dorsal body cavity formed by the cranial bones and containing the brain.
11
Q
Diaphragm
A
Any partition that separates one area from another, especially the dome-shaped skeletal muscle between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. A dome-shaped device that is placed over the cervix, usually with a spermicide, to prevent conception.
12
Q
Epididymis
A
A comma-shaped organ that lies along the posterior border of the testis and contains the ductus epididymis, in which sperm undergo maturation. Plural is epididymides.
13
Q
Feedback system
A
A feedback system in the body is a communication loop that helps regulate various physiological processes by sensing changes, sending signals, and making adjustments to maintain balance or homeostasis.
14
Q
Frontal plane
A
A plane at a right angle to a midsagittal plane that divides the body or organs into anterior and posterior portions. Also called a coronal plane.
15
Q
Gall bladder
A
A small pouch, located inferior to the liver, that stores bile and empties by means of the cystic duct.
16
Q
Gonads
A
Glands that produce gametes and hormones; the ovary in the female and the testis in the male.
17
Q
Homeostasis
A
Homeostasis refers to the body’s ability to maintain a stable and balanced internal environment despite external changes, ensuring optimal functioning of biological systems.
18
Q
Hypothalamus
A
The hypothalamus is a small region in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, such as temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and hormone production.
19
Q
Inferior
A
Away from the head or towards the lower part of a structure. Also called caudal.
20
Q
Joints
A
Points of contact between two bones, between bone and cartilage, or between bone and teeth. Also called an articulation or arthrosis.
21
Q
Kidneys
A
Pair of reddish organs located in the lumbar region that regulate the composition, volume, and pressure of blood and produce urine.
22
Q
Large intestines
A
The portion of the gastrointestinal tract extending from the ileum of the small intestine to the anus, divided structurally into the caecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal.
23
Q
Larynx
A
The voice box, a short passageway that connects the pharynx with the trachea.
24
Q
Liver
A
The liver is a large, reddish-brown organ located in the upper right abdomen that performs numerous vital functions in the body, including detoxification of harmful substances, metabolism of nutrients, production of bile for digestion, storage of vitamins and minerals, and synthesis of important proteins.
25
Lower limb
The appendage attached at the pelvic (hip) girdle, consisting of the thigh, knee, leg, ankle, foot, and toes. Also called the lower extremity.
26
Lungs
Main organs of respiration that lie on either side of the heart in the thoracic cavity.
27
Lymph
Fluid confined in lymphatic vessels and flowing through the lymphatic system until it is returned to the blood.
28
Lymph nodes
Oval or bean-shaped structures located along lymphatic vessels.
29
Mammary glands
Modified sudoriferous (sweat) glands of the female that produce milk for the nourishment of the young.
30
Median plane
A vertical plane dividing the body into right and left halves. Situated in the middle.
31
Mediastinum
The broad, median partition between the pleurae of the lungs that extends from the sternum to the vertebral column in the thoracic cavity.
32
Membrane
A thin, flexible sheet of tissue composed of an epithelial layer and an underlying connective tissue layer, as in an epithelial membrane, or of areolar connective tissue only, as in a synovial membrane.
33
Meninges
Three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, called the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. Singular is meninx (MEN-inks). They are shock absorbing.
34
Metabolism
All the biochemical reactions that occur within an organism, including the synthetic (anabolic) reactions and decomposition (catabolic) reactions.
35
Midline
An imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal left and right sides.
36
Midsagittal plane
A vertical plane through the midline of the body that divides the body or organs into equal right and left sides. Also called a median plane.
37
Nerves
Cordlike bundles of neuronal axons and/or dendrites and associated connective tissue coursing together outside the central nervous system.
38
Oblique plane
A plane that passes through the body or an organ at an angle between the transverse plane and the midsagittal, parasagittal, or frontal plane.
39
Pancreas
A soft, oblong organ lying along the greater curvature of the stomach and connected by a duct to the duodenum. It is both an exocrine gland (secreting pancreatic juice) and an endocrine gland (secreting insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide).
40
Parasagittal plane
A vertical plane that does not pass through the midline and that divides the body or organs into unequal left and right portions.
41
Parathyroid glands
Usually four small endocrine glands embedded in the posterior surfaces of the lateral lobes of the thyroid gland.
42
Pelvic cavity
Inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the urinary bladder, sigmoid colon, rectum, and internal female and male reproductive structures.
43
Pericardial cavity
The pericardial cavity is a fluid-filled space located between the layers of the pericardium (a protective membrane) surrounding the heart, providing lubrication and reducing friction during heartbeats.
44
Pericardium
The pericardium is a protective double-layered membrane that surrounds the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner serous layer, and helps to prevent friction and provide support to the heart.
45
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is a serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the organs within it, providing protection, support, and facilitating movement of the abdominal organs during digestion and other abdominal processes.
46
Pharynx
The pharynx is a muscular tube located at the back of the throat that serves as a pathway for air, food, and liquids, allowing them to pass between the nose/mouth and the esophagus or larynx.
47
Pineal gland
A cone-shaped gland located in the roof of the third ventricle that secretes melatonin.
48
Pituitary gland
The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, is often referred to as the "master gland" because it produces and releases hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including growth, reproduction, metabolism, and the functioning of other endocrine glands.
49
Pleura and cavity
The serous membrane that covers the lungs and lines the walls of the chest and the diaphragm.
Cavity Small potential space between the visceral and parietal pleurae.
50
Prostate
A doughnut-shaped gland inferior to the urinary bladder that surrounds the superior portion of the male urethra and secretes a slightly acidic solution that contributes to sperm motility and viability.
51
Sagittal plane
A plane that divides the body or organs into left and right portions. Such a plane may be midsagittal (median), in which the divisions are equal, or parasagittal, in which the divisions are unequal.
52
Salivary glands
Three pairs of glands that lie external to the mouth and pour their secretory product (saliva) into ducts that empty into the oral cavity; the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.
53
Seminal vesicles
The seminal vesicles are glandular structures located near the base of the male reproductive system that produce and secrete a fluid rich in fructose and other substances, which contributes to the formation of semen and provides nourishment and energy for sperm.
54
Serous membrane
A serous membrane, also known as a serosa, is a thin, double-layered membrane that lines the internal cavities of the body and covers certain organs, creating a lubricated space between the layers to reduce friction during movement and allowing organs to slide against each other smoothly.
55
Skeletal muscle tissue
Tissue of the skeletal muscle, composed of striated muscle fibers (cells), supported by connective tissue, attached to a bone by a tendon or an aponeurosis, and stimulated by somatic motor neurons.
56
Small intestine
A long tube of the gastrointestinal tract that begins at the pyloric sphincter of the stomach, coils through the central and inferior part of the abdominal cavity, and ends at the large intestine; divided into three segments: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
57
Spinal cord
A mass of nerve tissue located in the vertebral canal from which 31 pairs of spinal nerves originate.
58
Spleen
Large mass of lymphatic tissue between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm that functions in formation of blood cells during early fetal development, phagocytosis of ruptured blood cells, and proliferation of B cells during immune responses.
59
Stem cells
Unspecialized cells that have the ability to divide for indefinite periods and give rise to specialized cells.
60
Stomach
The J-shaped enlargement of the gastrointestinal tract directly inferior to the diaphragm in the epigastric, umbilical, and left hypochondriac regions of the abdomen, between the esophagus and small
61
Superior
Towards the head or upper part of a structure. Also called cephalic or cranial.
62
Synovial fluid
Secretion of synovial membranes that lubricates joints and nourishes articular cartilage.
63
Thoracic cavity
The thoracic cavity is the space within the chest that contains the heart, lungs, and other structures, protected by the ribcage, and separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm, playing a crucial role in respiration and housing important organs of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
64
Thymus
The thymus is a gland located in the upper chest, just behind the sternum, that plays a key role in the development and maturation of certain immune cells called T lymphocytes, which are important for immune system function and defense against infections.
65
Thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is a gland in the neck that makes hormones that control how fast our body uses energy, grows, and develops.
66
Tonsils
Tonsils are small masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the throat that help filter out bacteria and other harmful substances, playing a role in immune defense by trapping and preventing the spread of pathogens entering through the nose and mouth.
67
Trachea
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube-like structure in the neck and chest that connects the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi of the lungs, allowing air to pass in and out during breathing.
68
Transverse plane
A plane that divides the body or organs into superior and inferior portions. Also called a cross-sectional or horizontal plane.
69
Trunk
The part of the body to which the upper and lower limbs are attached.
70
Umbilicus
A small scar on the abdomen that marks the former attachment of the umbilical cord to the fetus. Also called the navel.
71
Upper limb
The appendage attached at the shoulder girdle, consisting of the arm, forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers. Also called upper extremity.
72
Ureters
Two tubes that connect the kidneys with the urinary bladder.
73
Urethra
The duct from the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body that conveys urine in females and urine and semen in males.
74
Urinary bladder
A hollow, muscular organ situated in the pelvic cavity posterior to the pubic symphysis; receives urine via two ureters and stores urine until it is excreted through the urethra.
75
Uterine tube
Duct that transports ova from the ovary to the uterus. Also called the fallopian tube or oviduct.
76
Uterus
The hollow, muscular organ in females that is the site of menstruation, implantation, development of the fetus, and labor. Also called the womb.
77
Vertebral canal
A cavity within the vertebral column formed by the vertebral foramina of all vertebrae and containing the spinal cord. Also called the spinal canal.
78
Viscera
Viscera refers to the internal organs located within the body cavities, such as the heart, lungs, liver, intestines, and kidneys, which perform various vital functions necessary for survival and proper bodily functioning.
79
Vitreous body
A soft, jelly-like substance that fills the vitreous chamber of the eyeball, lying between the lens and the retina.
80
Negative and Positive Feedback
Negative feedback is a regulatory mechanism in which a change in a physiological parameter triggers a response that counteracts the change, helping to maintain stability and restore the parameter to its normal range. Positive feedback, on the other hand, amplifies a change or deviation from the normal state, further promoting the deviation until a specific endpoint or outcome is reached.
81
Levels of Structural Organization and Body Systems
- There are six levels of organization in the body: chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, system, and organismal.
- Tissues are groups of cells and materials that work together to perform a specific function.
- Organs are composed of two or more different types of tissues, have specific functions, and usually have recognizable shapes.
- Systems consist of related organs that have a common function.
82
What structures separate the various body cavities from one another?
Membranes or layers of tissue separate the various body cavities from one another, such as the meninges around the spinal cord and the serous membranes around the thoracic and abdominal organs.
83
Which directional terms can be used to specify the relationships between (1) the elbow and the shoulder, (2) the left and right shoulders, (3) the sternum and the humerus, and (4) the heart and the diaphragm?
(1) The elbow is inferior to the shoulder.
(2) The left and right shoulders are lateral to each other.
(3) The sternum is anterior to the humerus.
(4) The heart is superior to the diaphragm.
84
What is the difference between symptoms and signs of a disease? Give examples of each.
Symptoms are subjective indications of a disease that are reported by the patient, such as pain, fatigue, or nausea. Signs are objective indications of a disease that can be observed or measured by someone else, such as a fever, rash, or abnormal laboratory test results.
85
Define receptor, control centre, and effector
A receptor is a body structure that monitors changes in a controlled condition and sends input to a control center. The control center sets the range of values within which a controlled condition should be maintained and evaluates the input it receives from receptors, generating output commands when needed. An effector is a body structure that receives output from the control center and produces a response.
86
What types of disturbances can act as stimuli that initiate a feedback system?
Any type of disturbance that disrupts homeostasis can act as a stimulus that initiates a feedback system. Examples include changes in temperature, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure.
87
Why is interstitial fluid called the internal environment of the body?
Interstitial fluid is called the internal environment of the body because it surrounds and bathes cells, providing them with nutrients and removing waste products.
88
Describe the locations of intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, and blood plasma.
Intracellular fluid is located inside cells, while extracellular fluid is located outside of cells. Interstitial fluid is a type of extracellular fluid that surrounds and bathes cells. Blood plasma is a type of extracellular fluid that is found in the blood vessels.
89
List the six most important life processes in the human body.
The six most important life processes in the human body are metabolism, responsiveness, movement, growth, differentiation, and reproduction.
1. Metabolism: The sum of chemical processes that occur in the body.
1. Catabolism: The breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones.
2. Anabolism: The building up of chemical substances.
2. Responsiveness: The ability to detect and respond to changes.
3. Movement: Includes motion of the whole body.
4. Growth: An increase in body size from an increase in cells.
5. Differentiation: The development of cells from an unspecialized state.
6. Reproduction: The formation of new cells or a new baby.
90
Define the following terms: atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, system, and organism.
Atom: The basic unit of matter, consisting of a nucleus of protons and neutrons with electrons orbiting around it.
Molecule: Two or more atoms chemically combined.
Cell: The basic unit of life, consisting of a membrane-bound structure that contains genetic material and carries out specific functions.
Tissue: A group of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
Organ: A group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function.
System: A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function.
Organism: A living entity made up of multiple systems, organs, tissues, and cells.
91
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
- The first is like tic-tac-toe (9).
- The second divides into quadrants.
92
All Body Cavities
Components: skin, hair, nails, sweat and oil glands
Functions: protection, temperature regulation, waste elimination, vitamin D production, sensation, fat storage
93
Superior
Towards the head - Superior: I am super!
94
Inferior
Away from the head - Inferior: Like inferno of hell
95
Anterior
Near the front of the body - Anterior: Ahh ants!
96
Posterior
Near the back of the body - Posterior: Jump to sit on a post behind you
97
Medial
Toward the midline - Medial: Go towards a gold medal
98
Lateral
Away from the midline - Lateral: Arriving "late" to the party/far away
99
Intermediate
Between two structures - Intermediate: Like the ski runs, between black and green
100
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body as another structure - Ipsilateral: Same side like a ship along the tide
101
Contralateral
Opposite side from another body structure - Contralateral: Run in the opposite direction from a conman
102
Proximal
Nearer to the attachment of a limb - Proximal: Proximity flying
103
Distal
Farther from attachment or limb - Distal: Distance
104
Superficial
On or near the surface - Superficial: Superficial like the skin
105
Deep
Away from the surface - Deep: Deep diving
106
Regional Names
The human body is divided into several regions, with the primary regions being the head and neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs.
- Head: includes the skull and face.
- Neck: supports the head and is attached to the trunk.
- Trunk: includes the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
- Upper limbs: attached to the trunk and include the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand.
- Lower limbs: attached to the trunk and include the buttocks, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot.
107
Integumentary System
Components: skin, hair, nails, sweat and oil glands
Functions: protection, temperature regulation, waste elimination, vitamin D production, sensation, fat storage
108
Skeletal System
Components: bones and joints
Functions: support, protection, muscle attachment, movement, blood cell production, mineral and lipid storage
109
Muscular System
Components: muscles attached to bones
Functions: body movement
110
Nervous System
Components: brain, spinal cord, nerves, special sense organs
Functions: control, regulation, interpretation of changes
111
Endocrine System
Components: hormone-producing glands
Functions: regulation of body activities through hormone release
112
Cardiovascular System
Components: blood, heart, blood vessels
Functions: blood circulation, oxygen transport, waste removal, temperature regulation, defense against disease
113
Lymphatic System
Components: lymphatic vessels, immune cells
Functions: fluid return, lipid transport, immune response
114
Respiratory System
Components: lungs, air passages
Functions: gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide), pH regulation
115
Digestive System
Components: gastrointestinal organs
Functions: food breakdown, nutrient absorption, waste elimination
116
Urinary System
Components: kidneys, uterus, bladder, urethra
Functions: urine production and elimination, water balance, blood regulation
117
Reproductive System
Components: gonads, associated organs
Functions: reproduction, hormone release
118
11 Systems of the Human Body
1. Integumentary system
2. Skeletal system
3. Muscular system
4. Nervous system
5. Endocrine system
6. Cardiovascular system
7. Lymphatic system
8. Respiratory system
9. Digestive system
10. Urinary system
11. Reproductive system
119
Types of Tissues
- Epithelial tissue (covers the body surface)
- Connective tissue (connects/supports/protects organs)
- Muscular tissue (moves body parts)
- Nervous tissue (transmits nerve impulses)
120
Levels of Structural Organization and Body Systems
1. Chemical level (atoms, molecules)
2. Cellular level (molecules combined to form cells)
3. Tissue level (groups of cells and the materials surrounding them that work together to perform a particular function)
4. Organ level (different tissues joined together)
5. System level (consists of related organs with a common function)
