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Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (31)

  • What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?
    Anatomy is the study of body structures and their relationships, while physiology is the study of the functions of body parts and how they work.
  • What are the levels of organization in the human body?
    Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, System, and Organismal levels.
  • What defines the chemical level of organization?
    Includes atoms and molecules essential for life; atoms are smallest units of matter, molecules are two or more atoms joined.
  • What is the cellular level of organization?
    Cells formed from chemical substances; cells are the smallest units of life and basic structural and functional units of organisms.
  • What are the four basic types of tissues?
    Epithelial, Connective, Muscular, and Nervous tissue.
  • What characterizes the organ level of organization?
    Groups of two or more tissue types working together with specific functions and usually recognizable shapes.
  • What is the system level of organization?
    Related organs working together to perform a common function.
  • What is the organismal level of organization?
    All organ systems functioning together to make a complete individual.
  • What is intracellular fluid?
    Fluid located inside the cells.
  • What is extracellular fluid and examples?
    Fluid outside body cells, also called interstitial fluid; includes blood plasma, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, and synovial fluid.
  • Define homeostasis.
    The condition of equilibrium or balance in the body's internal environment, maintained by feedback systems.
  • What are the three parts of a feedback system?
    Receptor (monitors changes), Control Center (sets range and sends commands), and Effector (produces response).
  • How does a negative feedback system work?
    It reverses a change in a controlled condition to return it to a set point, like a thermostat regulating temperature.
  • Give an example of negative feedback in the human body.
    Body temperature regulation: receptors detect heat, control center signals sweat glands (effectors) to cool the body.
  • What is positive feedback?
    A feedback system that strengthens or reinforces a change in a controlled condition, causing more change in the same direction.
  • Give an example of positive feedback in the human body.
    Childbirth: oxytocin release causes contractions, stretching cervix, which causes more oxytocin and stronger contractions.
  • What is another example of positive feedback?
    Blood clotting: platelets adhere to damage, release chemicals attracting more platelets until a plug forms.
  • What is the anatomical position?
    Body standing facing observer, head level, feet forward, palms turned forward.
  • Name the three anatomical planes and their divisions.
    Transverse: divides body into upper and lower parts; Sagittal: divides into left and right parts; Frontal (Coronal): divides into front and back parts.
  • Define the directional term 'superior'.
    Toward the head or upper part of a structure.
  • Define the directional term 'inferior'.
    Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure.
  • Define the directional term 'anterior (ventral)'.
    Toward the front of the body.
  • Define the directional term 'posterior (dorsal)'.
    Toward the back of the body.
  • Define the directional term 'medial'.
    Toward the body's midline.
  • Define the directional term 'lateral'.
    Away from the body's midline or toward the side.
  • Define the directional term 'proximal'.
    Toward the trunk or point of attachment.
  • Define the directional term 'distal'.
    Away from the trunk or point of attachment.
  • What are the ventral body cavities?
    Thoracic cavity (pleural and mediastinum) and abdominopelvic cavity (abdominal and pelvic).
  • What organs are in the thoracic cavity?
    Lungs (pleural cavity), heart, trachea, and esophagus (mediastinum).
  • What organs are in the abdominopelvic cavity?
    Digestive organs, kidneys, ureters (abdominal), and bladder, reproductive organs (pelvic).
  • What are the dorsal body cavities?
    Cranial cavity (contains brain) and spinal cavity (contains spinal cord).