Anatomy
The study of body structure
Physiology
The study of body function
Tissue
A group of similar cells that perform the same function.
Organ
A collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body
Organ system
group of organs that work together to perform a specific function
Histology
the study of the microscopic structure of tissues
Responsiveness
Reaction to a change inside or outside the body
Digestion
The process by which the body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules
Metabolism
the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Excretion
the process by which wastes are removed from the body
Reproduction
the process of producing offspring
Growth
the process of increasing in physical size.
Nutrients
Substances in food that your body needs to grow, to repair itself, and to supply you with energy
Normal body temperature
98.6 F
Atmospheric pressure
the pressure caused by the weight of the atmosphere
Homeostasis
A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level
Equilibrium
a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
Receptor
protein that detects a signal molecule and performs an action in response
Control center
determines set point, analyzes information, determines appropriate response
Effector
an organ or cell that acts in response to a stimulus.
Negative feedback mechanism
The most common homeostatic control mechanism. The net effect is that the output of the system shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity.
Positive feedback mechanism
the result or response enhances the original stimulus so that the response is accelerated
Homeostatic imbalance
a disturbance in homeostasis resulting in disease
Anatomical position
To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward
Sagittal plane
vertical division of the body into right and left portions
Median/midsagittal plane
sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline
Parasagittal plane
Divides body into unequal right and left sides
Frontal/coronal plane
divides body into front and back
Transverse/horizontal plane
divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Oblique sections
are cuts made diagonally between the horizontal and the verical planes
Dorsal body cavity
protects the fragile nervous system organs, has 2 subdivisions
Cranial cavity
houses the brain
Ventral body cavity
thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity
Viscera
internal organs
Abdominal cavity
Contains stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver, and other organs
Pelvic cavity
Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum
X-ray/radiograph
imaging technique using electromagnetic radiation for recording internal structures
computed tomography (CT)
brain-imaging method using computer-controlled X-rays of the brain
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
a visual display of brain activity that detects where a radioactive form of glucose goes while the brain performs a given task
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the brain