Anatomy Introduction Vocabulary – Flashcards
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anatomy
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the branch of science that studies body structure and the relationship of its organs
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physiology
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the branch of science that studies the functions of the body
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embryology
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the study of prenatal development from conception through the eighth week in utero
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developmental biology
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the complete development of an individual from fertilization of an egg to death
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cytology
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the study of cellular structure and function
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histology
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the study of the microscopic anatomy of tissues
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surface anatomy
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the branch of anatomy that studies the structures that can be identified from the outside of the body
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gross anatomy
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the branch of anatomy that studies the structures of the body that can be observed without a microscope
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systemic anatomy
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the branch of anatomy that studies the structure and function of the body's organ systems
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regional anatomy
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the branch of anatomy that studies the structural arrangement of specific areas of the body, such as the head, neck, thorax, or abdomen
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radiographic anatomy
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the study of body structures that can be visualized with x-rays
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pathological anatomy
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the study of structural changes in the body associated with disease
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neurophysiology
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the study of the functional properties of nerve cells
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endocrinology
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the study of hormones and how they influence body functions
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cardiovascular physiology
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the study of the functional properties of the heart and blood vessels
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immunology
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the study of how the body defends itself against disease-causing agents
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respiratory physiology
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the study of the functional properties of the airway and lungs
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renal physiology
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the study of the functional properties of the kidneys
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exercise physiology
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the study of functional changes in cells and organs as a result of muscular activity
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pathophysiology
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the study of functional changes associated with disease and aging
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atom
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the smallest unit of matter that participates in chemical reactions
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molecule
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two or more atoms bonded together
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cell
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the basic structural & functional unit of an organism
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tissue
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a group of similar specialized cells that performs specific functions
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organ
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two or more different tissues working together to perform specific functions
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organ system
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a group of related organs having a common function
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organism
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a collection of integrated living systems
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metabolism
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the sum of all chemical reactions in a living system
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catabolism
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the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones
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anabolism
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the production of complex molecules from simpler ones
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responsiveness
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an organism's ability to detect and react to changes in the external or internal environment
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differentiation
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a cell that becomes more specialized in structure & function
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reproduction
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the formation of new cells for growth, repair, or replacement
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homeostasis
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the balanced state of equilibrium in the body's internal environment constantly maintained by interactions of all body processes
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intracellular fluid
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the fluid inside cells; also called the cytoplasm
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extracellular fluid
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any fluid outside cells; the body's internal environment; also called intercellular or interstitial fluid
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plasma
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the specific extracellular fluid that surrounds blood cells
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negative feedback system
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a process that results in a response that reverses the original stimulus
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positive feedback system
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a process that results in a response that enhances the original stimulus
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stimulus
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any change in the internal or external environment of an organism
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receptor
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a specialized nerve cell that monitors a controlled condition
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controlled condition
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a body factor that is continually monitored by receptors
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control center
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this is what determines the next action in a feedback system; sends output to an effector
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effector
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muscle or gland that generates a response that adjusts the controlled condition
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disorder
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a general term for any abnormality of function
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disease
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a specific term that describes a certain illness
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sign
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an objective change that can be observed and measured, such as a rash or fever
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symptom
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a subjective change not obvious to an observer, such as a headache or nausea
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aging
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the gradual decline in the body's ability to maintain and restore homeostasis
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anatomical position
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a standard method of observing the body
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prone
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lying face-down
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supine
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lying flat on the back ("on the spine")
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anterior
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at the front of the body; also called ventral
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posterior
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at the back of the body; also called dorsal
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medial
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closer to the body's midline
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lateral
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farther from the body's midline
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superior
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towards the head
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inferior
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away from the head
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proximal
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closer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk
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distal
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farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk
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plane
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an imaginary division of the body or a structure into specific regions
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section
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results from the actual cuts made through the body or structure
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midsagittal section
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divides the body or structure into equal right and left halves
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frontal section
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divides the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions; also referred to as "coronal"
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transverse section
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divides the body or structure into superior and inferior portions; also referred to as "horizontal" or "cross-sectional"
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oblique section
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divides the body or structure diagonally
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palpation
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examining the body by touching and feeling
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percussion
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examining the body by striking an area with short, sharp taps as an aid in diagnosis
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dorsal body cavity
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includes the cranial cavity and the spinal canal
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cranial cavity
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a subdivision of the dorsal body cavity that contains the brain; formed by the bones of the skull
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vertebral canal
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a subdivision of the dorsal body cavity that contains the spinal cord; formed by the vertebrae
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ventral body cavity
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located in the anterior body and consists of the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
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thoracic cavity
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located in the anterior body and consists of the mediastinum, pleural, and pericardial cavities
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mediastinum
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the cavity that surrounds the heart, great blood vessels, esophagus, trachea, and thymus gland
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pericardial cavity
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this surrounds the heart
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pleural cavity
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this surrounds each lung
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abdominopelvic cavity
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this is subdivided into an upper abdominal portion and a lower pelvic portion
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serous membrane
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lines the pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities
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parietal layer
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the portion of a serous membrane that lines the walls of a body cavity
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visceral layer
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the portion of serous membrane that covers and adheres to the organs inside a body cavity
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serous fluid
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the membrane-secreted fluid that lubricates tissues and allows visceral organs to slide without friction
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pleural membrane
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this lines the cavity that surrounds each lung
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pericardial membrane
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the protective serous membrane surrounding the heart
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peritoneum
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the transparent membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of its organs
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abdominopelvic regions
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four imaginary lines (tic-tac-toe grid) that divide the body into nine areas; used to describe organ location or abnormalities
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abdominopelvic quadrants
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four areas created by intersecting two imaginary lines through the umbilicus
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conventional radiography
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x-rays pass through the body and expose x-ray film producing a negative image called a radiograph
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contrast x rays
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a technique that generates radiographs using an injected medium; is able to image blood vessels, the urinary system, and the GI tract
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computed tomography
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radiography that uses a moving x-ray beam; can combine multiple scans to create 3-D views revealing more soft tissue details
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ultrasound
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the procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to determine the size and position of a developing fetus
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magnetic resonance imaging
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a noninvasive imaging technique that exposes the body to a high-energy magnetic field, which causes protons in the body to arrange themselves in relation to the field; creates a color-coded image on a monitor
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radionuclide scanning
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a procedure using an IV radioactive substance that generates a color video image, with areas of intense color representing high tissue activity and areas of less intense color representing low tissue activity; used to study the activity of a tissue or organ (brain, heart, lungs, liver)
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positron emission tomography
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an imaging technique that uses an injected substance which emits positively charged particles, a gamma camera and computer that constructs a color image; shows where the injected substance is being used in the body
