Anatomy and Physiology

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Anatomy Noun

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[uh-nat-uh-mee]

Back

Anatomy

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The scientific study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts, and their relationship to one another.

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Example: Anatomy is the study of the body's structure, such as the arrangement of bones in the human skeleton, including the humerus, pelvis, and tibia.

Front

Physiology Noun

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[fiz-ee-ol-uh-jee]

Back

Physiology

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The scientific study of the functions of the body and its parts, focusing on how living organisms work and operate.

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Example: This diagram shows a nerve cell's structure. Physiology is the study of function, and this cell's specific shape allows it to perform its function: sending signals throughout the body.

Front

Homeostasis Noun

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[hoh-mee-oh-stey-sis]

Back

Homeostasis

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The tendency of the body to maintain a stable, balanced internal environment despite any changes in external conditions.

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Example: When your body gets too hot, sensors alert your brain. Your brain then tells your sweat glands to cool you down, keeping your temperature stable.

Front

Stimulus Noun

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[stim-yuh-luhs]

Back

Stimulus

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Any detectable change in the internal or external environment that produces a specific response in an organism or cell.

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Example: An external factor, like light, acts as a stimulus that causes a plant to respond by growing towards it.

Front

Receptor Noun

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[ri-sep-ter]

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Receptor

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A specialized cell or group of nerve endings that detects a stimulus and responds to changes in the environment.

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Example: This diagram shows rod and cone cells, which are photoreceptors in the eye that detect light, acting as specialized receptors for the sense of sight.

Front

Effector Noun

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[ih-fek-ter]

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Effector

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A muscle, gland, or organ that responds to nerve impulses from the control center to produce a specific effect.

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Example: The diagram shows a nerve signal from a motor neuron traveling to an arm muscle (the effector), causing it to contract and produce a response.

Front

Tissues Noun

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[tish-oos]

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Tissues

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Groups of similar cells that are organized together to perform a specific, shared function within a multicellular organism.

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Example: This diagram shows three types of muscle tissue (cardiac, skeletal, and smooth), which are groups of specialized cells that work together in organs.

Front

Tendon Noun

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[ten-duhn]

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Tendon

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A flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue that is responsible for attaching a muscle to a bone.

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Example: This diagram shows how a tendon, a tough connective tissue, attaches a muscle to a bone, enabling movement of the skeleton.

Front

Striated muscle Noun

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[strahy-ey-tid muhs-uhl]

Back

Striated muscle

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Muscle tissue marked by transverse dark and light bands, which is attached to the skeleton and is under voluntary control.

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Example: This diagram shows that striated muscle, like the skeletal muscle shown, is made of long cells with visible stripes or 'striations'.

Front

Smooth muscle Noun

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[smooth muhs-uhl]

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Smooth muscle

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Involuntary muscle tissue found in the walls of internal organs such as the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels.

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Example: This diagram shows smooth muscle cells, which are found in organs like your stomach. They are controlled automatically by nerves without you having to think.