Anatomy and Physiology I & II Lecture Notes + Exam Review 2025-
2026 / Complete and Verified Study Resource
Rasmussen University
Anatomy
The structure of the body and the relationships between its parts.
Inspection
Examining the body using sight to identify physical characteristics.
Palpation
Feeling structures with the hands.
Auscultation
Listening to the internal sounds of the body.
Percussion
Tapping on the body to assess underlying structures.
Gross/Macroscopic Anatomy
Visible with the naked eye.
Cadaver Dissection
Cutting and separating organs to study their relationships.
Cytology
Study of cells.
Histology
Study of tissues.
Pathological Anatomy
Study of structural changes caused by disease.
Radiographic Anatomy
Study of internal organs visualized through specialized scanning procedures.
Molecular Biology
Study of anatomical structures at subcellular levels.
Physiology
Understanding the functionality of the body's machinery.
,Neurophysiology
Workings of the nervous system.
Cardiovascular Physiology
Operation of heart and blood vessels.
Responsiveness
Response to changes in the environment.
Digestion
Breakdown of food for energy.
Metabolism
Chemical reactions that occur in the body.
Excretion
Removal of waste.
Cellular Reproduction
Cell division (mitosis).
Organismal Reproduction
Sperm and egg.
Growth
Increase in size of body or body part.
Nutrients
Energy and cell repair.
Oxygen
Necessary for metabolic reactions.
Water
Necessary environment for chemical reactions.
Normal Body Temperature
Necessary for chemical reactions to occur at life-sustaining rates.
Atmospheric Pressure
Proper breathing and gas exchange in lungs.
Homeostasis
Maintaining a stable internal environment.
, Receptor
Monitors the environment and responds to changes (stimuli).
Control Center
Set-point variable is maintained.
Effector
Means to respond to stimuli.
Negative Feedback
Output shuts off the original stimulus (reverse direction).
Positive Feedback
Output enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus (same direction).
Structural Hierarchy
Organism > Organ Systems > Organs > Tissues > Cells > Organelles > Molecules > Atoms
Anatomical Variation
Difference in organs/organ locations.
Physiological Variation
Difference in sex, age, diet, weight, physical activity.
Superior
Towards the head.
Inferior
Away from the head.
Anterior
Front of body.
Posterior
Back of body.
Medial
Toward the midline.
Lateral
Away from the midline.
Intermediate
Between more medial/lateral structures.
2026 / Complete and Verified Study Resource
Rasmussen University
Anatomy
The structure of the body and the relationships between its parts.
Inspection
Examining the body using sight to identify physical characteristics.
Palpation
Feeling structures with the hands.
Auscultation
Listening to the internal sounds of the body.
Percussion
Tapping on the body to assess underlying structures.
Gross/Macroscopic Anatomy
Visible with the naked eye.
Cadaver Dissection
Cutting and separating organs to study their relationships.
Cytology
Study of cells.
Histology
Study of tissues.
Pathological Anatomy
Study of structural changes caused by disease.
Radiographic Anatomy
Study of internal organs visualized through specialized scanning procedures.
Molecular Biology
Study of anatomical structures at subcellular levels.
Physiology
Understanding the functionality of the body's machinery.
,Neurophysiology
Workings of the nervous system.
Cardiovascular Physiology
Operation of heart and blood vessels.
Responsiveness
Response to changes in the environment.
Digestion
Breakdown of food for energy.
Metabolism
Chemical reactions that occur in the body.
Excretion
Removal of waste.
Cellular Reproduction
Cell division (mitosis).
Organismal Reproduction
Sperm and egg.
Growth
Increase in size of body or body part.
Nutrients
Energy and cell repair.
Oxygen
Necessary for metabolic reactions.
Water
Necessary environment for chemical reactions.
Normal Body Temperature
Necessary for chemical reactions to occur at life-sustaining rates.
Atmospheric Pressure
Proper breathing and gas exchange in lungs.
Homeostasis
Maintaining a stable internal environment.
, Receptor
Monitors the environment and responds to changes (stimuli).
Control Center
Set-point variable is maintained.
Effector
Means to respond to stimuli.
Negative Feedback
Output shuts off the original stimulus (reverse direction).
Positive Feedback
Output enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus (same direction).
Structural Hierarchy
Organism > Organ Systems > Organs > Tissues > Cells > Organelles > Molecules > Atoms
Anatomical Variation
Difference in organs/organ locations.
Physiological Variation
Difference in sex, age, diet, weight, physical activity.
Superior
Towards the head.
Inferior
Away from the head.
Anterior
Front of body.
Posterior
Back of body.
Medial
Toward the midline.
Lateral
Away from the midline.
Intermediate
Between more medial/lateral structures.
