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Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 1 Key Concepts

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Terms in this set (24)

  • What is Anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of internal and external body structures and the physical relationships among body parts.

  • What is Physiology?

    Physiology is the study of how living organisms perform their vital functions.

  • Define Microscopic Anatomy and its subfields.

    Microscopic Anatomy examines structures not visible without magnification, including cytology (study of cells) and histology (study of tissues).

  • What is Gross Anatomy and its types?

    Gross Anatomy studies structures visible to the naked eye, including surface anatomy, regional anatomy, and systemic anatomy.

  • List the six levels of organization in the human body.

    Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, and Organism levels.

  • What occurs at the cellular level?

    Molecules assemble to form cells, the fundamental structural and functional units of living organisms.

  • Define tissue level in anatomy.

    Groups of similar specialized cells work together to perform specific, coordinated functions.

  • What is an organ in anatomical terms?

    Two or more distinct tissues combine to form a structure performing complex functions, e.g., the heart.

  • What is an organ system?

    Groups of organs interact and cooperate to carry out major physiological operations, such as the cardiovascular system.

  • Name three essential life functions.

    Examples include responsiveness, growth, and metabolism.

  • What is metabolism and its two types?

    Metabolism is all chemical reactions in the body, including anabolism (building molecules) and catabolism (breaking down molecules).

  • What is homeostasis?

    Homeostasis is the state of relative constancy in the body's internal environment required for survival.

  • Describe negative feedback in physiological regulation.

    Negative feedback opposes the initial stimulus to restore normal conditions, e.g., thermoregulation.

  • Describe positive feedback and give an example.

    Positive feedback intensifies the original stimulus to complete a process rapidly, such as blood clotting or labor contractions.

  • What is the standard anatomical position?

    Body standing erect, face forward, feet flat and parallel, arms at sides, palms facing forward with pinky fingers adjacent to thighs.

  • Define the terms 'supine' and 'prone'.

    Supine: lying on back, face upward. Prone: lying on stomach, face downward.

  • What does 'anterior' and 'posterior' mean in directional terms?

    Anterior (ventral) means toward the front; posterior (dorsal) means toward the back.

  • What is the difference between proximal and distal?

    Proximal means toward the point of attachment; distal means away from the point of attachment.

  • Name the four abdominopelvic quadrants and one organ in each.

    RUQ: liver; LUQ: stomach; RLQ: appendix; LLQ: most of small intestine.

  • What are the three main planes of section in anatomy?

    Transverse (horizontal), sagittal (right and left), and frontal (anterior and posterior) planes.

  • What is the function of serous membranes?

    They provide lubrication to reduce friction between organs and body cavity walls.

  • Name the two layers of serous membranes.

    Visceral layer covers organs; parietal layer lines body cavity walls.

  • What organs are found in the thoracic cavity?

    The lungs (in pleural cavities) and the heart (in the pericardial cavity within the mediastinum).

  • What organs are found in the abdominopelvic cavity?

    Includes stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, intestines, urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and distal digestive tract.