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Anatomy & Physiology: Introduction to the Body

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  • What is anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of the structure of an organism and the relationships of its parts.

  • What is physiology?

    Physiology is the study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.

  • What is pathology?

    Pathology is the scientific study of disease.

  • What are the levels of organization in the human body from simplest to most complex?

    Atoms and molecules (chemical level), cells, tissues, organs, systems, organism.

  • What is the anatomical position?

    The body standing erect, feet slightly apart, arms at sides, palms facing forward; used as a reference for directional terms.

  • Define the anatomical directional term 'superior'.

    Superior means toward the head, upper, or above.

  • Define the anatomical directional term 'inferior'.

    Inferior means toward the feet, lower, or below.

  • What does 'anterior' mean in anatomical terms?

    Anterior means front or in front of; same as ventral in humans.

  • What does 'posterior' mean in anatomical terms?

    Posterior means back or in back of; same as dorsal in humans.

  • What is the difference between 'medial' and 'lateral'?

    Medial means toward the midline; lateral means away from the midline or toward the side.

  • Define 'proximal' and 'distal'.

    Proximal means nearer the trunk or point of origin; distal means farther from the trunk or point of origin.

  • What do 'superficial' and 'deep' mean in anatomy?

    Superficial means nearer the body surface; deep means farther from the body surface.

  • What is the sagittal plane?

    A lengthwise plane dividing the body into right and left sections.

  • What is the midsagittal plane?

    A sagittal plane dividing the body into two equal right and left halves.

  • What is the frontal (coronal) plane?

    A lengthwise plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior sections.

  • What is the transverse plane?

    A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower sections.

  • Name the two major body cavities.

    Dorsal cavity (cranial and spinal cavities) and ventral cavity (thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities).

  • What organs are found in the cranial cavity?

    The brain is contained within the cranial cavity.

  • What organs are found in the thoracic cavity?

    The heart, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and blood vessels in the mediastinum; lungs in pleural cavities.

  • What organs are found in the abdominopelvic cavity?

    The abdominal cavity contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen; the pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs, urinary bladder, and lowest part of intestine.

  • What are the axial and appendicular regions of the body?

    Axial region includes head, neck, and torso; appendicular region includes upper and lower extremities.

  • What is homeostasis?

    Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relative constancy of the internal environment.

  • What components are involved in a feedback loop?

    A sensor detects change, a control center processes information, and an effector produces a response.

  • What is the difference between negative and positive feedback loops?

    Negative feedback reverses a change to maintain homeostasis; positive feedback amplifies a change, often to complete a process.

  • Give an example of a positive feedback loop in the body.

    Uterine contractions during childbirth increase in strength and frequency due to positive feedback.