exam 1 Flashcards
what is homeostasis
the ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions even though the outside world changes continuously
what is positive feedback
- enhances the original stimulus so that further responses are even greater
- results proceed in the same direction as the initial change
eg. labor contractions or blood clotting
what is negative feedback
- stimulus is reversed so the body acts in a way that is opposite to what is actually happening
- most functions are maintained by negative feedback eg. blood pressure
superior and inferior
superior is towards the head or upper part of a structure
inferior is away from the head or towards the lower part of structure
anterior and posterior
anterior - towards or at the front of the body
posterior - towards or at the back of the body
medial and lateral, intermediate
medial - towards or at the midline of the body (towards centre)
lateral - away from the midline of the body (on outer side)
intermediate - between a more medial or more lateral structure
proximal and distal
proximal - closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment
distal - farther from the origin of the body part or point of attachment
superficial (external) and deep (internal)
superficial - toward or at the body surface
deep - away from the body surface
sagittal plane
- vertical plane dividing the body into left and right parts
- lies directly in the midline is known as a median plane or midsaggital plane
frontal plane
- vertical plane that divides the body into posterior and anterior parts (also known as a coronal plane)
transverse plane
- horizontal plane that runs from right to left dividing the body into superior and inferior parts
- known as cross section
oblique sections
- cuts made diagonally between the horizontal and the vertical planes
