Anatomy and Physiology I
Subtopic:
Terms used in Anatomy and Physiology
Learning Objectives
Define and recognize common abbreviations and acronyms used in anatomy and physiology (e.g., HCG, ADH, ECG).
Understand the meaning and function of key anatomical and physiological terms, such as “metabolism,” “enzyme,” “hormone,” and “neuron.”
Differentiate between types of connective tissue, including ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and epithelial tissue.
Identify components of body systems like the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, and lymphatic systems.
Describe the role of fluids in the human body, such as plasma, lymph, ICF, and ECF.
Apply terminology appropriately in clinical or educational settings related to nursing and midwifery.
HCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Hormone
HCl: Hydrochloric Acid
HCT: Hematocrit
HDL: High-Density Lipoprotein
HPA: Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis
ICF: Intracellular Fluid
ICSH: Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
IGF: Insulin Growth Factors
IUD: Intra Uterine Device
L: Lumbar, lumbar vertebrae (e.g., L3 lumbar vertebrae 3)
LDL: Low-Density Lipoprotein
LH: Luteinizing Hormone
MI: Myocardial Infarction
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Na⁺: Sodium Ion
NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
O₂: Oxygen
PNS: Peripheral Nervous System
PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction
PRH: Prolactin Releasing Hormone
PTH: Para Thyroid Hormone
RAAS: Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
RNA: Ribonucleic Acid
rRNA: Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid
RBC: Red Blood Cell
SNP: Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
T: Thoracic, thoracic vertebrae (e.g., T1 thoracic vertebrae 1)
T3: Triiodothyronine
T4: Thyroxin
TB: Tuberculosis
TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
UTI: Urinary Tract Infection
WBC: White Blood Cell
Abbreviations or acronyms
Ach: Acetylcholine
ACTH: Adrenal Cortico-trophic Hormone
ACTN: Alpha Actinin
ADH: Anti-diuretic Hormone
ADP: Adenosine Diphosphate
ALP: Alkaline Phosphatase
ALT: Alanine Aminotransferase
ANS: Autonomic Nervous System
AST: Aspartate Aminotransferase
ATP: Adenosine Tri Phosphate
AV: Atrioventricular
BMR: Basal Metabolic Rate
BMP: Basic Metabolic Panel
BP: Blood Pressure
C: Cervical, cervical vertebrae (e.g., C4 cervical vertebrae 4)
CBC: Complete Blood Count
CCK: Cholecystokinin
CNS: Central Nervous System
CRH: Corticotropin Releasing Hormone
CSF: Cerebrospinal Fluid
CV: Cardiovascular
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
ECF: Extracellular Fluid
ECG/EKG: Electrocardiogram
EEG: Electroencephalogram
EMG: Electromyography
EPO: Erythropoietin
FSH: Follicular Stimulating Hormone
GH: Growth Hormone
GHRH: Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone
GI: Gastrointestinal
GnRH: Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone
Hb: Hemoglobin
Key Concepts in Anatomy and Physiology
🧍♂️ Anatomy
Anatomy is the study of the physical structures of the body and how they relate to one another.
⚙️ Physiology
Physiology is the study of the functions and processes of the body and how its parts work together.
⚖️ Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
🧪 Atoms, Molecules, and Compounds
These are the fundamental chemical units forming the body’s structure and facilitating biological processes.
🔬 Cell
A cell is the smallest unit of life capable of performing life functions independently.
🧫 Tissue
Tissue consists of groups of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function—such as muscle or connective tissue.
❤️ Organ
An organ is a structure made up of two or more tissue types that perform specialized tasks, like the heart or lungs.
🧠 Organ System
An organ system is a group of organs working together to carry out complex body functions—for example, the digestive or nervous system.
👤 Organism
An organism is a complete living being capable of carrying out all essential life processes.
The common terms used in Anatomy and Physiology
Additional Commonly Used Terms
- Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body to maintain life.
- Enzyme: A protein that speeds up biochemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
- Hormone: Chemical messengers secreted by glands that regulate body functions.
- Neurons: Specialized nerve cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals.
- Synapse: The junction between two nerve cells where communication occurs.
- Ligament: Connective tissue that links bones to other bones.
- Tendon: Connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones.
- Capillaries: The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs.
- Lymph: A clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, aiding immune function.
- Cartilage: A flexible connective tissue that cushions joints and structures.
- Plasma: The liquid component of blood that carries cells and nutrients.
- Epithelial Tissue: Tissue that forms the lining of body surfaces and cavities
Objective Questions on Anatomy and Physiology
1 ) Question: What is metabolism?
- a) The process of breathing
- b) The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body to maintain life
- c) The process of digestion
- d) The process of excretion
Answer: b) The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body to maintain life
Rationale: Metabolism refers to the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body to maintain life.
2) Question: True or False: Enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
Answer: True
Rationale: Enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed in the process.
3) Question: What are hormones?
- a) Proteins that speed up biochemical reactions
- b) Chemical messengers secreted by glands that regulate body functions
- c) Specialized nerve cells that transmit signals
- d) Connective tissue that links bones to other bones
Answer: b) Chemical messengers secreted by glands that regulate body functions
Rationale: Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands that regulate body functions.
4) Question: True or False: Neurons are specialized nerve cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals.
Answer: True
Rationale: Neurons are specialized nerve cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals.
5) Question: What is a synapse?
- a) A protein that speeds up biochemical reactions
- b) The junction between two nerve cells where communication occurs
- c) Connective tissue that links bones to other bones
- d) The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases occurs
Answer: b) The junction between two nerve cells where communication occurs
Rationale: A synapse is the junction between two nerve cells where communication occurs.
6) Question: True or False: Ligaments are connective tissue that links bones to other bones.
Answer: True
Rationale: Ligaments are connective tissue that links bones to other bones.
7) Question: What are tendons?
- a) Connective tissue that links bones to other bones
- b) Connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones
- c) The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases occurs
- d) A clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system
Answer: b) Connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones
Rationale: Tendons are connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones.
8) Question: True or False: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs.
Answer: True
Rationale: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs.
9) Question: What is lymph?
- a) Connective tissue that links bones to other bones
- b) A clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, aiding immune function
- c) The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases occurs
- d) Connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones
Answer: b) A clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, aiding immune function
Rationale: Lymph is a clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system, aiding immune function.
10) Question: True or False: Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that cushions joints and structures.
Answer: True
Rationale: Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that cushions joints and structures.
11) Question: What is plasma?
- a) Connective tissue that links bones to other bones
- b) The liquid component of blood that carries cells and nutrients
- c) The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases occurs
- d) Connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones
Answer: b) The liquid component of blood that carries cells and nutrients
Rationale: Plasma is the liquid component of blood that carries cells and nutrients.
12) Question: True or False: Epithelial tissue forms the lining of body surfaces and cavities.
Answer: True
Rationale: Epithelial tissue forms the lining of body surfaces and cavities.
13) Question: What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?
- a) Brain and spinal cord
- b) Heart and lungs
- c) Stomach and intestines
- d) Bones and muscles
Answer: a) Brain and spinal cord
Rationale: The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord.
14) Question: True or False: The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes throughout the body.
Answer: True
Rationale: The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes throughout the body.
15) Question: What is homeostasis?
- a) The process of breathing
- b) The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes
- c) The process of digestion
- d) The process of excretion
Answer: b) The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
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