Anatomy #1: A First Look At Anatomy Flashcards
Cryotechnolody
Anatomists discovered in early 1800s that cross sections obtained from frozen cadavers and parts of cadavers provided incredible insight into the complexity of the human body. The nature of the frozen specimens improved int he 1900s with advancements in this field, which came to be called cryotechnology.
In the late 1980s, the Visible Human Project began. Two donated bodies were deep-frozen in blue gelatin, and then cute into extremely thin cross sections from head to toe. Each newly exposed layer was photographed digitally for computer analysis.
Anatomy
Study of structure. Derived from Greek and means “to cut apart.”
Physiology
Scientific discipline that studies the function of body structures.
Microscopic Anatomy
Examines structures that cannot be observed by the unaided eye. For most such studies, scientists prepare individual cells of thin slices of some part of the body and examine them by microscope.
Cytology
Cellular Anatomy. The study of single body cells and their internal structures.
Histology
Study of tissues. Takes a wider approach to microscopic anatomy by examining how groups of specialized cells and their products function for a common purpose.
Gross Anatomy
Also called macroscopic anatomy. Investigates the structure and relationships of large body parts that are visible to the unaided eye. Preserved specimens often cut open for examination.
Comparative Anatomy
Examines the similarities and differences in the anatomy of species.
Developmental Anatomy
Investigates the changes in structure within an individual from conception through maturity.
Embryology
Embryon= young one
Concerned specifically with developmental changes occuring prior to birth.
Regional Anatomy
Examines all the structures in a particular region of the body as one complete unit.
Example, the skin, connective tissue and fat, bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels of the neck.
Surface Anatomy
Examines both superficial anatomic markings and internal body structures as they relate to the skin covering them. Health-care providers use surface features to identify and locate specific bony processes at joints as well as to obtain a pulse or a blood sample from a patient.
Systemaic Anatomy
Studies the gross anatomy of each system int he body.
Example, studying the urinary system would involve examining the kidneys, where urine is formed, along with the organs of urine transplant and storage.
Pathologic Anatomy
Examines all anatomic changes resulting from disease.
Radiographic Anatomy
Studies the relationships among internal structures that may be visualized by specific scanning procedures, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, or x-ray.
Surgical Anatomy
Investigates the anatomic landmarks used before and after surgery.
Example, prior to back surgery, the location of the L4 vertebra is precisely identified by drawing an imaginary line between the hip bones. This intersection of this line with the vertebral column shows the location of L4.
Chemical Level
Simplest level of organization which is composed of atoms and molecules.
Atom
Smallest units of matter; two or more atoms form a molecule, such as protein, water, or a vitamin.
Cells
The basic units of structure and function in organisms.
Cellular Level
Specialized structural and functional units called organelles permit all living cells to share certain common functions. The structures of cells vary widely, reflecting the specializations needed for their different functions.
Tissue Level
Groups of similar cells with a common function form this stage.
Tissues are precise organizations of similar cells that perform specialized functions.
Four types of tissues.
1) Epithelial - covers exposed surfaces and lines body cavities
2) Connective - protects, supports, and interconnects body parts and organs
3) Muscle - produces movement
4) Nervous - conducts impulses for internal communication.
Organ Level
Different tissue types combine to form an organ.
Organs contain two or more tissue types that work together to perform specific, complex functions.
Organ System Level
Consists of related organs that work together to coordinate activities and achieve a common function. Like the respiratory system.
Organismal Level
Highest level of structural organization.
All body systems function interdependently in a single living human being, the organism.
Cystic Fibrosis
A common consequence of a specific genetic mutation in someone’s DNA. This results when a defective or abnormal region in a molecule of DNA affects the normal function of cells in certain body organs. These cells are unable to transport salt across their membranes, thus disrupting the normal salt and water balance in the fluid covering these cells.
Organization
All organisms exhibit a complex structure and order.
Metabolism
All organisms carry out various chemical reactions. This term is the sum of all of them.
Growth & Development
During their lifetime, organisms assimilate materials from their environment and exhibit increased size and increased specialization as related to form and function. As the human body grows in size, structures become more complex and sophisticated.
Responsiveness
All organisms sense and respond to changes in their internal or external environment. For example, a stimulus to the skin of the hand, such as extremely hot or cold temp, causes a human to withdraw hand from stimulus, to prevent injury.
Adaptation
Over a period of time, an organism may alter an anatomic structure, physiologic process, or behavioral trait to increase its expected long-term reproductive success, such as a darkening of skin pigmentation in the equatorial region due to an increase in sun exposure.
Regulation
Control and regulatory mechanisms within an organism maintain a consistent internal environment, a state called homeostatis. (homoios=similar, stasis=standing).
In a constantly changing environment, every organism must be able to maintain this “steady state.”
Reproduction
All organisms produce new cells for growth, maintenance, and repair. In addition, an organism produces gametes that, under the right conditions, have ability to develop into a new living organism.
Anatomic Position
An individual stands upright with the feet parallel and flat on the floor. The head is level, and the eys look forward toward the observer. The arms are at either side of the body with the palms facing forward and the thumbs pointing away from the body.
Coronal (Frontal) Plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts. When a coronal plane is taken through the trunk, the anterior portion contains the chest, and the posterior portion contains the back.
Transverse Plane
Also called a cross-sectional plane or horizontal plane, cuts perpendicularly along the long axis of the body or organ. The body of organ is separated into both superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts, and the relationship of neighboring organs at a particular level is revealed. Computed tomography (CT) scans provide transverse sectional images of the body for study.
Midsagittal Plane
Or median plane. Extends through the body or organ vertically and divides the structure into right and left halves.
A plane that is parallel to the midsaggital plane, but either to the left or right of it, is termed a sagittal plane. Thus, a sagittal plane divides a structure into right and left portions that may or may not be equal. Although there is only one midsagittal plane, an infinite # of sagittal planes are possible.
A midsagittal or sagittal plane is often used to show internal body parts.
Oblique Plane
Passes through the specimen at an angle.
Anterior
In front of; toward the front surface.
The stomach is anterior to the spinal cord.
Posterior
In back of; toward the back surface.
The heart is posterior to the sternum.
Dorsal
At the back side of the human body.
The spinal cord is on the dorsal side of the body.
Ventral
At the belly side of the human body.
The umbilicus (navel, belly button) is on the ventral side of the body.
Superior
Closer to the head.
The chest is superior to the pelvis.
Inferior
Closer to the feet.
The stomach is inferior to the heart.
Caudal
At the rear or tail end.
The abdomen is caudal to the head.
Cranial
At the head end.
The head is cranial to the trunk.
Rostral
Toward the nose.
The frontal love is rostral to the occipital love.
Medial
Toward the midline of the body.
The lungs are medial to the shoulders.
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body.
The arms are lateral to the heart.
