Term | Definition |
anatomy | structure of the human body |
physiology | how the human body functions |
organs | two or more tissue types that work together to carry out a function |
cells | smallest living unit in the body |
tissues | specialized groups of cells with similar structure and function |
organ systems | groups of organs that contribute to a specific function |
epithelial tissue | covers or lines body surfaces: outer layer of skin, the walls of capillaries, kidney tubules |
connective tissue | connects and supports parts of the body: bone, cartilage, adipose tissue |
muscle | contracts to produce movement: skeletal and heart |
nerve tissue | generates and transmits impulses to regulate body functions: brain and nerves |
integumentary system | skin, hair and nails |
integumentary system functions | protection, temperature, regulation, water retention, and sensation |
skeletal system | bones, cartilage, ligaments |
skeletal system functions | protection of body organs, support, movement, blood formation |
muscular system | skeletal muscles |
muscular system functions | movement, posture, heat production |
lymphatic system | lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, lymph, thymus, spleen, tonsils |
lymphatic system functions | role in fluid balance, production of immune cells, defense against disease |
respiratory system | nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs |
respiratory system functions | absorption of oxygen, discharge of carbon dioxide, acid-base balance, speech |
urinary system | kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra |
urinary system functions | excretion of wastes, regulation of blood volume, regulation of blood pressure, control of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance |
nervous system | brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sense organs |
nervous system functions | control, regulation, and coordination of other systems
sensation, memory |
endocrine system | pituitary gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, thyroid |
endocrine system function | hormone production, control and regulation of other systems |
circulatory system | heart, arteries, veins, capillaries |
circulatory system functions | distribution of oxygen, nutrients, wastes, hormones, electrolytes, immune cells, and antibodies
fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance |
digestive system | stomach, small and large intestines, esophagus, liver, mouth, and pancreas |
digestive system functions | breakdown and absorption of nutrients
elimination of wastes |
male reproductive system | testes, vas deferens, prostate, seminal vesicles, and penis |
male reproductive system functions | production and delivery of sperm
secretion of sex hormones |
female reproductive system | ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, breasts |
female reproductive system functions | production of eggs
site of fertilization
site of fetal development
birth
lactation
secretion of sex hormones |
medial | toward the body's midline |
lateral | away from the body's midline |
distal | farthest from the point of origin |
proximal | closest to the point of origin |
Superior | above |
anterior | toward the front of the body |
ventral | toward the front of the body |
posterior | toward the back of the body |
dorsal | toward the back of the body |
superficial | at or near the body's surface |
deep | away from the body's surface |
inferior | below |
anatomical position | standing erect, arms at the sides, with face, palms and feet facing forward |
sagittal plane | divides the body lengthwise into right and left sides |
transverse plane | divides the body horizontally into the upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions |
frontal plane | divides the body lengthwise into anterior and posterior portions |
What are the two major body cavities? | dorsal and ventral |
ventral cavity | located at the front of the body: contains the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities that are separated by the diaphragm |
thoracic cavity | surrounded by the ribs and chest muscles: contains the heart, large vessels of the heart, trachea, esophagus, thymus, lymph nodes, and lungs |
abdominopelvic cavity | divided into the abdominal and pelvic cavities |
abdominal cavity | contains the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and other organs |
pelvic cavity | contains the bladder, some reproductive organs, and the rectum |
homeostasis | the ability of the body to maintain a relatively constant internal environment despite changes in external conditions |
receptor | receives information about a change in the environment |
control center | receives and processes information from the receptor |
effector | responds to signals from the control center by either opposing or enhancing the stimulus |
negative feedback | when the effector opposes the stimulus and reverses the direction of change |
positive feedback | when the effector enhances the stimulus and amplifies the direction of change |
dorsal cavity | located at the back of the body: contains the cranial and spinal cavities |
organelle | metabolic units within a cell that perform a specific function necessary to the life of the cell |