Skip to main content
Back

Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/24

Terms in this set (24)

  • What is Human Anatomy?

    Human Anatomy is the study of the structure or form of the human body.

  • What is Human Physiology?

    Human Physiology is the study of the body’s functions.

  • What are the characteristics of living organisms?

    Living organisms share cellular composition, metabolism (anabolism and catabolism), growth, excretion, responsiveness, movement, and reproduction.

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

    Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, and Organism levels.

  • How many organ systems are in the human body?

    There are 11 organ systems in the human body.

  • What is Systemic Anatomy?

    Study of anatomy by examining individual organ systems.

  • What is Regional Anatomy?

    Study of anatomy by examining the body in regions, such as the head and neck.

  • What is the Anatomical Position?

    Body standing upright, feet shoulder width apart, upper limbs at sides, head and palms facing forward.

  • Define Anterior and Posterior directional terms.

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

  • Define Superior and Inferior directional terms.

    Superior means toward the head; Inferior means toward the tail or feet (used for head, neck, trunk).

  • Define Proximal and Distal directional terms.

    Proximal means closer to the point of origin; Distal means farther from the point of origin (used for limbs).

  • What are the two broad body regions?

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

  • What are the main planes of section in anatomy?

    Sagittal (right and left), Frontal (anterior and posterior), Transverse (superior and inferior), and Oblique (angled).

  • What cavities make up the Posterior Body Cavity?

    Cranial cavity (brain) and Spinal cavity (spinal cord), both filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

  • What are the two main divisions of the Anterior Body Cavity?

    Thoracic cavity (above diaphragm) and Abdominopelvic cavity (below diaphragm).

  • What is the function of serous membranes?

    Thin double-layered tissues that produce serous fluid to lubricate organs in body cavities.

  • What is Homeostasis?

    The condition of maintaining a relatively stable internal environment in the body.

  • What is a Negative Feedback Loop?

    A feedback mechanism that opposes the initial change to maintain stability and homeostasis.

  • What are the steps of a Negative Feedback Loop?

    Stimulus, Receptor, Control Center, Effector, Response to return variable to normal range.

  • What is a Positive Feedback Loop?

    A feedback mechanism that reinforces the initial change and increases the output, often leading to a specific event.

  • Give an example of a Positive Feedback Loop in the human body.

    Childbirth: uterine contractions increase until delivery, then the loop stops.

  • What is the Principle of Complementarity of Structure and Function?

    The form of a structure is such that it best suits its function at all levels of organization.

  • What role do gradients play in physiology?

    Gradients drive many physiological processes by moving substances from areas of higher to lower concentration, pressure, or temperature.

  • How do cells communicate to maintain homeostasis?

    Through electrical signals between neighboring cells and chemical messengers that affect nearby or distant cells.