CPC Anatomy and Physiology

Cards · 52

Epidermis

The outermost avascular layer of skin that provides a protective waterproof barrier and produces keratin and melanin.

Dermis

The thick layer of connective tissue beneath the epidermis containing blood vessels, nerve endings, sweat glands, and hair follicles.

Subcutaneous tissue

The hypodermis composed of adipose and connective tissue that anchors skin to underlying structures, provides insulation, and stores energy.

Sebaceous glands

Exocrine glands in the dermis that secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates and waterproofs the skin and hair.

Sudoriferous glands

Sweat glands that regulate body temperature through evaporative cooling and excrete minor metabolic wastes.

Periosteum

A dense fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bones, essential for bone nourishment, repair, and muscle attachment.

Epiphysis

The rounded end of a long bone, largely composed of spongy bone containing red marrow, that forms joint articulations.

Diaphysis

The tubular shaft of a long bone composed of dense cortical bone surrounding the medullary cavity.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that synthesize and secrete collagen matrix and minerals during bone development and remodeling.

Osteoclasts

Large multinucleated cells that resorb and break down bone tissue to release calcium and reshape bone architecture.

Synovial joint

A freely movable joint characterized by a fluid-filled cavity enclosed by a fibrous capsule that minimizes friction during movement.

Tendon

A tough band of fibrous connective tissue that connects skeletal muscle to bone to transmit contractile force.

Ligament

A strong band of dense fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone, stabilizing joints and preventing excessive movement.

Cartilage

A flexible, avascular connective tissue that cushions joints, absorbs shock, and provides structural support to body parts.

Bursa

A fluid-filled sac situated near joints that reduces friction between tendons, muscles, and bony prominences.

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord, functioning as the primary command center for processing sensory data and directing motor responses.

Peripheral nervous system

Nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord that transmit sensory impulses to the CNS and motor commands to body tissues.

Neuron

The basic structural and functional nerve cell that transmits electrical and chemical impulses throughout the nervous system.

Myelin sheath

An insulating lipid layer surrounding nerve axons that accelerates the transmission of electrical nerve impulses.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for voluntary motor activities, sensory perception, cognition, speech, and memory.

Cerebellum

The brain structure posterior to the brainstem that coordinates voluntary movements, posture, and fine motor balance.

Brainstem

Consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; regulates autonomic life-support functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Meninges

Three protective connective tissue membranes (dura, arachnoid, and pia mater) enclosing the brain and spinal cord.

Sympathetic nervous system

The division of the autonomic nervous system that triggers the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate and dilating airways.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The division of the autonomic nervous system that mediates rest-and-digest activities, slowing heart rate and stimulating digestion.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart wall that contracts rhythmically to pump blood through the circulatory system.

Endocardium

The smooth inner epithelial lining of the heart chambers and valves that prevents abnormal blood clotting.

Pericardium

A double-walled fibroserous sac that surrounds and protects the heart and reduces friction during contractions.

Sinoatrial node

The natural cardiac pacemaker located in the right atrium that generates electrical impulses initiating heartbeats.

Systemic circulation

The pathway carrying oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle through arteries to body tissues and returning deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

Pulmonary circulation

The circuit carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange and returning oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

Capillaries

Microscopic single-cell-thick blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes occurs between blood and tissues.

Erythrocytes

Biconcave red blood cells containing hemoglobin that bind and transport oxygen from lungs to systemic tissues.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that defend the body against infectious microorganisms, foreign invaders, and cellular abnormalities.

Thrombocytes

Platelets that adhere to damaged vessel walls and aggregate to initiate blood clotting and arrest bleeding.

Spleen

A lymphatic organ in the left upper quadrant that filters blood, destroys old red blood cells, and stores platelets and white blood cells.

Lymph node

Small, bean-shaped encapsulated filters along lymphatic pathways that trap foreign antigens and activate immune lymphocytes.

Alveoli

Tiny microscopic air sacs in the lungs surrounded by capillaries where alveolar-capillary gas exchange occurs.

Diaphragm

The dome-shaped skeletal muscle separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities whose contraction drives inhalation.

Pleura

A double-layered serous membrane enclosing each lung that lubricates pleural surfaces to allow smooth expansion during respiration.

Epiglottis

A cartilaginous flap at the base of the tongue that folds over the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration into the airway.

Peristalsis

Involuntary wave-like contractions of smooth muscle along the gastrointestinal tract that propel food and liquid forward.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine where chyme mixes with bile and pancreatic enzymes for chemical digestion.

Liver

A large accessory digestive organ that produces bile, metabolizes nutrients, detoxifies drugs, and synthesizes plasma proteins.

Gallbladder

A small pear-shaped organ beneath the liver that stores, concentrates, and releases bile into the duodenum to emulsify fats.

Pancreas

A retroperitoneal gland that secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum and produces insulin and glucagon to control blood glucose.

Nephron

The microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney that filters blood, reabsorbs nutrients, and excretes urine.

Glomerulus

A cluster of high-pressure capillaries within Bowman capsule that filters blood plasma to form glomerular filtrate.

Ureter

A muscular duct that propels urine from the renal pelvis of each kidney down into the urinary bladder via peristalsis.

Pituitary gland

The master endocrine gland at the base of the brain that secretes regulatory hormones controlling growth, metabolism, and other endocrine glands.

Thyroid gland

A butterfly-shaped neck gland that secretes T3, T4, and calcitonin to regulate cellular metabolic rate and calcium homeostasis.

Adrenal glands

Paired retroperitoneal endocrine glands that produce cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine to manage stress and fluid balance.