5:26:04 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025
Anatomy & Physiology Chapters 1–4 Study
Guide | Foundational Concepts, Body
Systems, & Terminology Explained LATEST
UPDATED 2025
Anatomy
the study of the structure of the body
Physiology
the study of the function of the body
Chemical level
represents the atoms and molecules that make up cells (Consists of Atomic level and molecular
level)
Cellular level
represents the basic unit of all living things
Tissue level
a group of cells with similar or common function
Organ level
a group of tissues with similar or common function
Organ system level
a group of organs with similar or common function
Organismic level
the entire body consisting of the various organ systems.
Integumentary System
controls body temperature & protects body from environmental hazards
Skeletal System
supports body, protects soft body parts, stores minerals, forms blood cells
,5:26:04 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025
Muscular System
movement, support and produces heat
Nervous System
controls immediate responses to stimuli
Endocrine System
controls long-term responses in body
Cardiovascular System
internal transport of nutrients, wastes, oxygen, carbon dioxide and cells
Lymphatic & Immune Systems
defense, immunity and returns lost fluids to cardiovascular system
Respiratory System
exchange of air and delivery of blood gases to/from tissues
Digestive System
ingestion, breakdown and absorption of food & elimination of indigestible wastes
Urinary System
filtration of blood to maintain proper water and salt balance and to eliminate waste products
Reproductive System
produces sex cells and hormones related to reproduction
homeostasis
condition in which body's internal environment remains within certain narrow physiological
limits
homeostatic regulation
adjustment of physiological system to maintain homeostasis
receptor
monitors change in controlled condition (stimulus) and sends input to control center
control (integration) center
receives input from receptor & determines appropriate response
,5:26:04 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025
effector
cell or organ that receives information (output) from control center and produces a response
(effect)
interactions of a feedback system
stimulus -> receptor -> input (afferent pathway) -> control center -> output (efferent pathway) ->
response
positive feedback
the response by the effector to the initial change is to further exaggerate the change. Example in
labor contractions, the contraction of the uterus forces the baby towards the birth canal, which
places pressure on the cervix; the pressure of the baby against the cervix causes uterine
contraction, etc.
...
Negative feedback
the response by the effector to the initial change is to counter or reduce that change, thus
bringing the system back to its "normal" state. Example When blood sugar level rises, the
pancreas secretes
insulin which causes the cells of the body to take in glucose, thus removing glucose from the
blood and lowering blood sugar level.
...
Anatomical position
patient is erect, feet apart and palms facing anteriorly Cephalic = head
Cranial
upper portion of head surrounding brain
Facial
face
cervical
neck
thoracic
chest
, 5:26:04 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025
axillary
armpit
acromial
point of shoulder
deltoid
fleshy portion of shoulder
brachial
upper arm
antebrachial
forearm
antecubital
front of elbow
carpal
wrist
manual
hand
digital (phalangeal)
fingers or toes
abdominal
region of trunk between diaphragm and pelvis
dorsal
back
lumbar
lower back
olecranol
back of elbow
pelvic
Anatomy & Physiology Chapters 1–4 Study
Guide | Foundational Concepts, Body
Systems, & Terminology Explained LATEST
UPDATED 2025
Anatomy
the study of the structure of the body
Physiology
the study of the function of the body
Chemical level
represents the atoms and molecules that make up cells (Consists of Atomic level and molecular
level)
Cellular level
represents the basic unit of all living things
Tissue level
a group of cells with similar or common function
Organ level
a group of tissues with similar or common function
Organ system level
a group of organs with similar or common function
Organismic level
the entire body consisting of the various organ systems.
Integumentary System
controls body temperature & protects body from environmental hazards
Skeletal System
supports body, protects soft body parts, stores minerals, forms blood cells
,5:26:04 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025
Muscular System
movement, support and produces heat
Nervous System
controls immediate responses to stimuli
Endocrine System
controls long-term responses in body
Cardiovascular System
internal transport of nutrients, wastes, oxygen, carbon dioxide and cells
Lymphatic & Immune Systems
defense, immunity and returns lost fluids to cardiovascular system
Respiratory System
exchange of air and delivery of blood gases to/from tissues
Digestive System
ingestion, breakdown and absorption of food & elimination of indigestible wastes
Urinary System
filtration of blood to maintain proper water and salt balance and to eliminate waste products
Reproductive System
produces sex cells and hormones related to reproduction
homeostasis
condition in which body's internal environment remains within certain narrow physiological
limits
homeostatic regulation
adjustment of physiological system to maintain homeostasis
receptor
monitors change in controlled condition (stimulus) and sends input to control center
control (integration) center
receives input from receptor & determines appropriate response
,5:26:04 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025
effector
cell or organ that receives information (output) from control center and produces a response
(effect)
interactions of a feedback system
stimulus -> receptor -> input (afferent pathway) -> control center -> output (efferent pathway) ->
response
positive feedback
the response by the effector to the initial change is to further exaggerate the change. Example in
labor contractions, the contraction of the uterus forces the baby towards the birth canal, which
places pressure on the cervix; the pressure of the baby against the cervix causes uterine
contraction, etc.
...
Negative feedback
the response by the effector to the initial change is to counter or reduce that change, thus
bringing the system back to its "normal" state. Example When blood sugar level rises, the
pancreas secretes
insulin which causes the cells of the body to take in glucose, thus removing glucose from the
blood and lowering blood sugar level.
...
Anatomical position
patient is erect, feet apart and palms facing anteriorly Cephalic = head
Cranial
upper portion of head surrounding brain
Facial
face
cervical
neck
thoracic
chest
, 5:26:04 PM Thursday, July 31, 2025
axillary
armpit
acromial
point of shoulder
deltoid
fleshy portion of shoulder
brachial
upper arm
antebrachial
forearm
antecubital
front of elbow
carpal
wrist
manual
hand
digital (phalangeal)
fingers or toes
abdominal
region of trunk between diaphragm and pelvis
dorsal
back
lumbar
lower back
olecranol
back of elbow
pelvic
