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Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What is anatomy?

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

  • What is physiology?

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

  • What are the two main types of human anatomy?

    Gross anatomy studies large structures visible without a microscope, and microscopic anatomy studies structures only visible with a microscope, such as tissues (histology).

  • What are the fundamental levels of organization in the human body?

    Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism levels.

  • What is the chemical level of organization?

    Atoms are the smallest stable units of matter; molecules consist of two or more atoms bonded together.

  • What defines the cellular level?

    Cells are the smallest living units in the human body; humans are composed of eukaryotic cells with organelles.

  • What is a tissue in anatomy?

    A tissue is a group of related cells working together to perform one or more specific functions.

  • What is an organ?

    An organ is a distinct body structure made of two or more tissue types that performs specific functions.

  • What is an organ system?

    An organ system is a group of organs that interact to perform specific functions.

  • What is the organism level?

    The organism level is an individual living life form composed of all organ systems working together.

  • What is the anatomical position?

    The standard reference position for the human body: standing upright, feet together, hands at sides with palms facing forward.

  • Define anterior and posterior.

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

  • Define superior and inferior.

    Superior (cranial) means above or toward the head; inferior (caudal) means below or toward the feet.

  • Define lateral and medial.

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

  • Define proximal and distal.

    Proximal means toward the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk; distal means away from that point.

  • What do superficial and deep mean in anatomical terms?

    Superficial means near the body surface; deep means toward the interior, farther from the surface.

  • What are the three main parts of homeostatic regulatory mechanisms?

    Receptor detects stimuli, control center processes information, and effector responds to maintain homeostasis.

  • What is negative feedback in homeostasis?

    A mechanism where effectors oppose or negate changes to maintain physiological conditions within set points.

  • Give an example of negative feedback.

    Thermoregulation: temperature receptors send signals to the hypothalamus, which activates effectors to restore normal body temperature.

  • What is positive feedback?

    A homeostatic mechanism that enhances or intensifies the original stimulus, usually to complete a critical process quickly.

  • Give two examples of positive feedback in the body.

    Blood clotting and labor/delivery, both with definitive end points.

  • What is a body cavity?

    A closed, fluid-filled space lined by a serous membrane that protects organs and allows changes in their size and shape.

  • What are the two layers of serous membranes?

    Visceral layer covers organs; parietal layer lines the body wall.

  • What is the thoracic cavity and what does it contain?

    Located deep to the chest wall, it contains the right and left pleural cavities (lungs), the pericardial cavity (heart), and the mediastinum.

  • What separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity?

    The diaphragm, a muscle involved in respiration.

  • What is the abdominopelvic cavity and its subdivisions?

    Located deep to the abdominal and pelvic walls, subdivided into the superior abdominal cavity and inferior pelvic cavity.

  • What is the peritoneal cavity?

    A serous membrane-lined space within the abdominopelvic cavity that covers many digestive organs.

  • What are retroperitoneal organs?

    Organs located between the peritoneal lining and the muscular wall of the abdominal cavity, such as kidneys and pancreas.

  • What are the four abdominopelvic quadrants used for?

    Clinicians use them to describe locations of aches, pains, and injuries in the abdomen.