Anatomy Terms & organization
What is the standard reference position used for all anatomical descriptions?
Anatomical position
How many bones are in the adult human skeleton?
206 bones
What type of muscle is under voluntary control and attached to bones?
Skeletal muscle
Where does gas exchange occur in the lungs?
Alveoli
What heart chamber pumps blood to the lungs?
Right ventricle
What part of the brain controls breathing and heart rate?
Brainstem
What plane divides the body into anterior and posterior sections?
Coronal (frontal) plane
What two major divisions make up the skeletal system?
Axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton
What is the primary function of smooth muscle?
Moves materials through organs and controls vessel diameter
What muscle performs most of the work of breathing at rest?
Diaphragm
Which blood vessels are responsible for gas and nutrient exchange?
Capillaries
What division of the nervous system produces the “fight or flight” response?
Sympathetic nervous system
What is the correct order of organization from smallest to largest?
Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system
What is the longest and strongest bone in the body?
Femur
What happens to the opposing muscle when a muscle contracts?
It relaxes
What term describes the movement of air in and out of the lungs?
Ventilation
What is the formula for cardiac output?
Heart rate × stroke volume
What is the primary effect of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Slows heart rate and conserves energy
What term describes the study of how disease alters normal body function?
Pathophysiology
What joint allows movement in all directions and is prone to dislocation?
Ball-and-socket joint
What type of muscle is found only in the heart and contracts rhythmically without voluntary control?
Cardiac muscle
What condition occurs when air enters the pleural space and collapses the lung?
Pneumothorax
What type of bleeding is bright red, rapid, and life-threatening?
Arterial bleeding
Why do vital signs change during illness or injury?
The brain adjusts them based on perceived internal threats
What anatomical term means “toward the back of the body”?
Posterior
Why are pelvic fractures considered life-threatening in EMS?
They can cause massive hidden internal bleeding
What is the primary role of tendons in musculoskeletal movement?
To attach muscle to bone and transmit force for movement
What primarily stimulates the body’s urge to breathe?
Rising carbon dioxide levels
What does delayed capillary refill indicate?
Poor perfusion or shock
What happens when nervous system control of breathing fails?
Ventilation fails, leading to hypoxia and death
What plane would divide the body into superior and inferior sections during a CT scan?
Transverse plane
Which skeletal division provides direct protection to the brain, spinal cord, and thoracic organs?
Axial skeleton
Why does shivering occur in cold exposure?
Rapid skeletal muscle contractions generate heat to maintain body temperature
Why can a patient have adequate chest rise but still be hypoxic?
Gas exchange at the alveoli may be impaired
Which vessel type directly determines tissue perfusion status?
Capillaries
Which part of the nervous system controls involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion?
The autonomic nervous system
What term describes movement away from the midline of the body?
Abduction
Hyperextension injuries most commonly damage what joint type?
Hinge joints
What is the primary function of ligaments in the musculoskeletal system?
To connect bone to bone and stabilize joints
What physiologic change during inhalation allows air to enter the lungs?
Decreased intrathoracic pressure
What component of blood loss most directly reduces oxygen delivery?
Red blood cells
Which part of the brain is responsible for coordination and balance?
The cerebellum