Human Anatomy Flashcards: Systems & Organs

This comprehensive flashcard set covers all major body systems, organs, and their functions. Each flashcard includes detailed information about structure, function, and clinical relevance, making it perfect for medical students, biology majors, and healthcare professionals.

Integumentary System

Skin Layers

Epidermis:

• Stratum corneum: Outermost layer, dead keratinized cells
• Stratum lucidum: Clear layer (thick skin only)
• Stratum granulosum: Granular layer with keratohyalin
• Stratum spinosum: Spiny layer with desmosomes
• Stratum basale: Basal layer with stem cells

Dermis:

• Papillary layer: Loose connective tissue, dermal papillae
• Reticular layer: Dense irregular connective tissue

Hypodermis:

• Subcutaneous fat and connective tissue

Skin Functions

• Protection: Physical barrier, UV protection
• Sensation: Touch, temperature, pain receptors
• Thermoregulation: Sweat glands, blood vessel dilation
• Vitamin D synthesis: UV light conversion
• Excretion: Sweat, sebum

Skeletal System

Axial Skeleton

Skull:

• Cranium: 8 bones protecting brain
• Facial bones: 14 bones forming face
• Sutures: Immovable joints between skull bones

Vertebral Column:

• Cervical: 7 vertebrae (C1-C7)
• Thoracic: 12 vertebrae (T1-T12)
• Lumbar: 5 vertebrae (L1-L5)
• Sacral: 5 fused vertebrae
• Coccygeal: 4 fused vertebrae

Rib Cage:

• True ribs: 1-7, attach directly to sternum
• False ribs: 8-12, attach indirectly or not at all
• Floating ribs: 11-12, no sternal attachment

Appendicular Skeleton

Upper Limbs:

• Humerus: Upper arm bone
• Radius/Ulna: Forearm bones
• Carpals: 8 wrist bones
• Metacarpals: 5 hand bones
• Phalanges: Finger bones

Lower Limbs:

• Femur: Thigh bone
• Tibia/Fibula: Lower leg bones
• Tarsals: 7 ankle bones
• Metatarsals: 5 foot bones
• Phalanges: Toe bones

Joint Types

• Fibrous: Immovable (sutures)
• Cartilaginous: Slightly movable (intervertebral discs)
• Synovial: Freely movable (knee, shoulder)

Muscular System

Muscle Types

Skeletal Muscle:

• Voluntary, striated, multinucleated
• Attached to bones via tendons
• Functions: movement, posture, heat production

Cardiac Muscle:

• Involuntary, striated, single nucleus
• Found only in heart
• Functions: heart contraction, blood pumping

Smooth Muscle:

• Involuntary, non-striated, single nucleus
• Found in organs and blood vessels
• Functions: peristalsis, vasoconstriction

Major Muscle Groups

Upper Body:

• Deltoid: Shoulder abduction
• Pectoralis major: Arm adduction, flexion
• Latissimus dorsi: Arm adduction, extension
• Biceps brachii: Elbow flexion
• Triceps brachii: Elbow extension

Lower Body:

• Quadriceps: Knee extension
• Hamstrings: Knee flexion
• Gastrocnemius: Ankle plantarflexion
• Gluteus maximus: Hip extension

Nervous System

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain:

• Cerebrum: Higher functions, consciousness
• Cerebellum: Balance, coordination
• Brainstem: Basic life functions
• Diencephalon: Thalamus, hypothalamus

Spinal Cord:

• Cervical enlargement: Upper limb nerves
• Lumbar enlargement: Lower limb nerves
• Cauda equina: Nerve roots below L2

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Somatic Nervous System:

• Voluntary control of skeletal muscles
• Sensory and motor neurons

Autonomic Nervous System:

• Sympathetic: Fight or flight response
• Parasympathetic: Rest and digest response

Cranial Nerves

1. Olfactory: Smell
2. Optic: Vision
3. Oculomotor: Eye movement, pupil constriction
4. Trochlear: Eye movement
5. Trigeminal: Face sensation, chewing
6. Abducens: Eye movement
7. Facial: Face movement, taste
8. Vestibulocochlear: Hearing, balance
9. Glossopharyngeal: Taste, swallowing
10. Vagus: Parasympathetic control
11. Accessory: Head/neck movement
12. Hypoglossal: Tongue movement

Cardiovascular System

Heart Structure

Chambers:

• Right atrium: Receives deoxygenated blood
• Right ventricle: Pumps to lungs
• Left atrium: Receives oxygenated blood
• Left ventricle: Pumps to body

Valves:

• Tricuspid: Right atrium to ventricle
• Pulmonary: Right ventricle to lungs
• Mitral: Left atrium to ventricle
• Aortic: Left ventricle to body

Blood Vessels

Arteries:

• Carry blood away from heart
• Thick muscular walls
• High pressure

Veins:

• Carry blood to heart
• Thin walls, valves
• Low pressure

Capillaries:

• Exchange vessels
• Single cell layer
• Gas/nutrient exchange

Major Arteries

• Aorta: Largest artery
• Carotid: Head and neck
• Subclavian: Upper limbs
• Coronary: Heart muscle
• Renal: Kidneys

Respiratory System

Upper Respiratory Tract

• Nose: Air filtration, warming
• Pharynx: Throat, common passage
• Larynx: Voice box, vocal cords
• Trachea: Windpipe

Lower Respiratory Tract

• Bronchi: Airway branching
• Bronchioles: Smaller airways
• Alveoli: Gas exchange sacs

Respiratory Muscles

• Diaphragm: Primary breathing muscle
• Intercostals: Rib movement
• Accessory muscles: Forced breathing

Digestive System

Gastrointestinal Tract

Mouth:

• Teeth: Mechanical breakdown
• Salivary glands: Enzyme secretion
• Tongue: Taste, swallowing

Esophagus:

• Food transport to stomach
• Peristalsis movement

Stomach:

• Fundus: Upper portion
• Body: Main portion
• Antrum: Lower portion
• Pylorus: Exit to duodenum

Small Intestine:

• Duodenum: 25 cm, bile/pancreatic enzymes
• Jejunum: 2.5 m, nutrient absorption
• Ileum: 3.5 m, vitamin absorption

Large Intestine:

• Cecum: Appendix attachment
• Colon: Water absorption
• Rectum: Waste storage
• Anus: Waste elimination

Accessory Organs

• Liver: Bile production, detoxification
• Gallbladder: Bile storage
• Pancreas: Digestive enzymes, insulin

Urinary System

Kidney Structure

• Cortex: Outer region
• Medulla: Inner region
• Nephron: Functional unit

Nephron Components

• Glomerulus: Blood filtration
• Proximal tubule: Reabsorption
• Loop of Henle: Water conservation
• Distal tubule: Ion regulation
• Collecting duct: Final concentration

Urinary Tract

• Ureters: Kidney to bladder
• Bladder: Urine storage
• Urethra: Urine elimination

Endocrine System

Major Glands

Pituitary Gland:

• Anterior: Growth hormone, ACTH, TSH
• Posterior: ADH, oxytocin

Thyroid Gland:

• Thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3)
• Metabolism regulation

Adrenal Glands:

• Cortex: Cortisol, aldosterone
• Medulla: Epinephrine, norepinephrine

Pancreas:

• Alpha cells: Glucagon
• Beta cells: Insulin

Gonads:

• Testes: Testosterone
• Ovaries: Estrogen, progesterone

Reproductive System

Male Reproductive System

• Testes: Sperm production, testosterone
• Epididymis: Sperm maturation
• Vas deferens: Sperm transport
• Seminal vesicles: Semen production
• Prostate: Semen secretion
• Penis: Copulatory organ

Female Reproductive System

• Ovaries: Egg production, hormones
• Fallopian tubes: Egg transport
• Uterus: Fetal development
• Cervix: Uterine opening
• Vagina: Birth canal

Lymphatic System

Components

• Lymph nodes: Immune cell production
• Spleen: Blood filtration, immune function
• Thymus: T-cell maturation
• Tonsils: Throat protection
• Lymph vessels: Fluid transport

Functions

• Immune defense
• Fluid balance
• Fat absorption
• Waste removal

Study Tips

1. Use mnemonics for complex structures
2. Draw diagrams to visualize relationships
3. Study by system rather than individual parts
4. Understand function along with structure
5. Practice with models and cadaver specimens

Clinical Applications

Common Disorders

• Cardiovascular: Hypertension, atherosclerosis
• Respiratory: Asthma, COPD
• Digestive: Ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease
• Nervous: Stroke, multiple sclerosis
• Musculoskeletal: Arthritis, osteoporosis

Diagnostic Techniques

• Imaging: X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound
• Endoscopy: Direct visualization
• Biopsy: Tissue sampling
• Blood tests: Biochemical markers

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Keywords: human anatomy, body systems, organs, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, endocrine system, reproductive system.

Last Updated: July 12, 2025, 05:24 PM +04