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Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 1: The Human Body Orientation

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is the relationship between anatomy and physiology?
    Anatomy is the study of body structures and their relationships, while physiology is the science of how body parts function. Form determines function, meaning structure influences how something works.
  • What are the major subdivisions of anatomy?
    Gross anatomy (large structures visible to the naked eye), microscopic anatomy (cells and tissues), and developmental anatomy (structural changes over a lifespan).
  • What is the principle of complementarity of structure and function?
    Anatomy and physiology are inseparable; the function of a body part depends on its specific structure, e.g., sharp incisors cut, flat molars grind.
  • List the levels of structural organization in the human body from simplest to most complex.
    Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels.
  • Name the 11 organ systems of the human body.
    Integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.
  • What are the necessary life functions all living organisms carry out?
    Maintaining boundaries, movement, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, and growth.
  • What are the survival needs of the human body?
    Nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, and appropriate atmospheric pressure.
  • Define homeostasis.
    A dynamic equilibrium of the internal environment where body systems maintain stable conditions despite external changes.
  • What are the three components of a homeostatic control mechanism?
    Receptor (detects change), control center (processes information and sets set point), and effector (responds to restore balance).
  • How does negative feedback maintain homeostasis?
    It reduces or shuts off the original stimulus, reversing a change to return to the set point, e.g., regulation of body temperature.
  • What is positive feedback and give an example?
    A response that enhances the original stimulus, amplifying the effect, e.g., blood clotting and labor contractions.
  • What is a feedforward (anticipatory) response?
    A response that occurs in anticipation of a change, such as salivation triggered by the smell of food before eating.
  • What is anatomical position?
    The standard reference position where the body is erect, facing forward, feet slightly apart, arms at sides with palms facing forward.
  • Define the directional terms superior and inferior.
    Superior means toward the head or upper part; inferior means away from the head or lower part.
  • What do anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) mean?
    Anterior means toward the front of the body; posterior means toward the back.
  • Explain medial, lateral, and intermediate.
    Medial is toward the midline, lateral is away from the midline, and intermediate is between medial and lateral structures.
  • What do proximal and distal refer to?
    Proximal means closer to the origin of a body part or point of attachment; distal means farther from the origin or attachment.
  • What are the three common body planes?
    Sagittal (divides body into right and left), frontal/coronal (divides into front and back), and transverse (divides into top and bottom).
  • What are the major body cavities and their subdivisions?
    Dorsal cavity (cranial and spinal cavities) and ventral cavity (thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities).
  • What is the function of serous membranes in the ventral body cavity?
    They line cavity walls (parietal serosa) and cover organs (visceral serosa), producing lubricating fluid to reduce friction during organ movement.