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Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology - Chapter 1

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Terms in this set (27)

  • What is the primary focus of anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of the body’s structure.

  • What does physiology study?

    Physiology is the study of the body’s function.

  • What is the principle of complementarity in anatomy and physiology?

    Structure exists to perform a function, so understanding an organ’s structure helps explain its function, and vice versa.

  • List the levels of organization in the human body from smallest to largest.

    Atomic & Molecular, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism.

  • What is anatomical variation and why is it important?

    Differences in anatomy between individuals; important because textbooks show a 'standard' body but variations can affect medical procedures.

  • Define homeostasis.

    Maintenance of a stable internal environment within a narrow range despite external changes.

  • What are negative feedback loops?

    Feedback mechanisms that move a system back toward a set point to maintain homeostasis.

  • What are positive feedback loops?

    Feedback mechanisms that move a system away from a set point, amplifying the original stimulus.

  • Name the three components of a negative feedback loop.

    Receptor (detects change), Control center (processes info), Effector (carries out response).

  • What is the role of the effector in a negative feedback loop?

    The effector acts to restore conditions to the set point by opposing the stimulus.

  • How does the body regulate temperature via negative feedback?

    Thermoreceptors detect temperature changes; hypothalamus acts as control center; effectors include sweat glands, skeletal muscles (shivering), and blood vessel muscles.

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

    Labor contractions: pressure on cervix causes oxytocin release, which increases contractions, further increasing pressure.

  • Why is anatomical position important?

    It provides a standard reference for describing body parts and positions to avoid confusion.

  • Define the directional terms: superior and inferior.

    Superior means toward the head; Inferior means toward the feet.

  • What do anterior and posterior mean?

    Anterior means toward the front of the body; Posterior means toward the back.

  • Explain medial, lateral, ipsilateral, and contralateral.

    Medial: toward midline; Lateral: away from midline; Ipsilateral: same side; Contralateral: opposite side.

  • What is the difference between proximal and distal?

    Proximal means closer to the limb’s attachment point; Distal means farther from the attachment.

  • Define superficial and deep.

    Superficial means closer to the body surface; Deep means farther from the surface.

  • Name the three major anatomical planes.

    Frontal (divides front and back), Sagittal (divides left and right), Transverse (divides top and bottom).

  • What are body cavities and why are they important?

    Spaces within the body that house organs and protect them; major cavities include dorsal (cranial and vertebral) and ventral (thoracic and abdominopelvic).

  • What are serous membranes?

    Double-layered membranes that line body cavities and cover organs, producing lubricating serous fluid.

  • Name the four serous membranes and the organs they surround.

    Pleurae (lungs), Pericardium (heart), Peritoneum (abdominal organs).

  • What is the function of serous fluid?

    Lubricates membranes to allow organs to move smoothly without friction.

  • What are the abdominopelvic quadrants?

    Four regions: Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) used to localize organs.

  • What are the nine abdominopelvic regions?

    Right and Left Hypochondriac, Epigastric, Right and Left Lumbar, Umbilical, Right and Left Inguinal, Hypogastric.

  • What is the difference between the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities?

    Thoracic cavity is above the diaphragm and contains lungs and heart; abdominopelvic cavity is below diaphragm and contains digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs.

  • What is the mediastinum?

    The central compartment of the thoracic cavity containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, and major vessels; not a true cavity.