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Anatomy & Physiology: Human Body Structure and Function

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is the study of anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.

  • What is physiology?

    Physiology is the study of the function of body parts and how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

  • Name the three subdivisions of gross/macroscopic anatomy.

    Regional (all structures in a body area), Systemic (one system at a time), and Surface (internal structures related to skin surface).

  • What are the two main subdivisions of microscopic anatomy?

    Cytology (study of cells) and Histology (study of tissues).

  • What principle explains the relationship between anatomy and physiology?

    The principle of complementarity states that function always reflects structure; what a structure can do depends on its form.

  • List the levels of structural organization in the human body from simplest to most complex.

    Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ system, Organismal.

  • What is the standard anatomical position?

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

  • Define the directional terms anterior and posterior.

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

  • What is the difference between medial and lateral?

    Medial means toward the midline of the body; Lateral means away from the midline.

  • What are the two major divisions of the body?

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

  • Name the three main body planes and their divisions.

    Sagittal (divides into right and left), Frontal (coronal) (divides into anterior and posterior), Transverse (divides into superior and inferior).

  • What are the major body cavities and their subdivisions?

    Dorsal cavity: cranial and vertebral; Ventral cavity: thoracic and abdominopelvic.

  • What membranes line the ventral body cavities?

    Serous membranes with parietal layer lining cavity walls and visceral layer covering organs, separated by serous fluid.

  • Name the serous membranes associated with the heart, lungs, and abdominopelvic cavity.

    Pericardium (heart), Pleurae (lungs), Peritoneum (abdominopelvic cavity).

  • How many organ systems are in the human body and what are their general functions?

    11 organ systems; functions include support, movement, protection, integration, coordination, maintenance, reproduction, and development.

  • What is homeostasis?

    Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continuous environmental changes; a dynamic state of equilibrium.

  • What are the three components of homeostatic control mechanisms?

    Receptor (monitors environment), Control center (determines set point), Effector (responds to control center).

  • Describe negative feedback and give an example.

    Response reduces or shuts off original stimulus; example: regulation of body temperature by sweating or shivering.

  • Describe positive feedback and give an example.

    Response enhances or exaggerates original stimulus; example: enhancement of labor contractions by oxytocin.

  • What is the difference between ipsilateral and contralateral?

    Ipsilateral means on the same side of the body; Contralateral means on opposite sides.