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Anatomy & Physiology: Human Body Orientation

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body and its parts, including gross (macroscopic) and microscopic levels.

  • What is physiology?

    Physiology is the study of the function of living organisms and their parts, focusing on how organs and systems work.

  • How is the human body organized structurally?

    Levels include chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels.

  • What are the characteristics of life?

    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.

  • What is homeostasis?

    Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes; a dynamic state of equilibrium.

  • What are the three components of homeostatic control?

    Receptor (sensor), control center, and effector.

  • What is negative feedback?

    A mechanism that reduces or shuts off the original stimulus to maintain homeostasis.

  • What is positive feedback?

    A mechanism that enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus, often for infrequent events.

  • What is the standard anatomical position?

    Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, thumbs pointing away from the body.

  • What are the two major body divisions?

    Axial (head, neck, trunk) and appendicular (limbs).

  • What are the three common body planes?

    Sagittal (divides right and left), frontal/coronal (divides front and back), and transverse (divides top and bottom).

  • What are the main body cavities?

    Dorsal (cranial and vertebral) and ventral (thoracic and abdominopelvic) cavities.

  • What is the function of serous membranes?

    Thin double-layered membranes that cover organs and line cavities, secreting fluid to reduce friction.

  • What are the four abdominopelvic quadrants?

    Right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower quadrants.

  • What is the difference between gross and microscopic anatomy?

    Gross anatomy studies large visible structures; microscopic anatomy studies structures too small to see with the naked eye.

  • What is the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in homeostasis?

    They monitor and regulate body variables to maintain internal balance.

  • What does the term 'regional anatomy' refer to?

    Study of all structures in a specific area of the body.

  • What does 'system anatomy' focus on?

    Study of one organ system, such as cardiovascular or nervous system.

  • What is the importance of anatomical terminology?

    Allows accurate communication about body parts using standardized Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.