Anatomy & Physiology Key Terms
Master these terms for the BSAP domain. Terms are grouped by topic area.
Tissue Types
Epithelial tissue
Tissue covering body surfaces and lining cavities, providing protection, absorption, and secretion.
Connective tissue
Tissue that supports, binds, and protects other tissues, including bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, and fascia.
Muscle tissue
Tissue specialized for contraction, classified as skeletal, smooth, or cardiac.
Nervous tissue
Tissue specialized for transmitting electrical signals, comprising neurons and supporting glial cells.
Wound Healing Physiology
Inflammatory phase
The initial wound healing phase (days 0-4) involving hemostasis and immune cell migration to clear debris and bacteria.
Proliferative phase
The wound healing phase (days 4-21) involving collagen production, angiogenesis, and epithelialization.
Maturation (remodeling) phase
The final, longest wound healing phase involving collagen reorganization and increasing tensile strength.
Granulation tissue
New connective tissue and blood vessels forming on a healing wound surface during the proliferative phase.
Dehiscence
Partial or complete separation of a previously closed wound.
Hemodynamics
Hemostasis
The physiologic process of stopping bleeding, involving vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and the coagulation cascade.
Coagulation cascade
The sequential activation of clotting factors resulting in fibrin formation and clot stabilization.
Vasoconstriction
Narrowing of blood vessels, reducing blood flow, an immediate response to vascular injury.
Perfusion
The flow of blood through tissue delivering oxygen and nutrients.
Body Systems Overview
Retroperitoneal
Describes organs positioned behind the peritoneum (e.g., kidneys, pancreas, duodenum) rather than within the peritoneal cavity.
Mediastinum
The central thoracic compartment containing the heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus.
Meninges
The three protective membrane layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord: dura, arachnoid, and pia mater.
Peritoneum
The serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering abdominal organs.
Anatomical Landmarks
Xiphoid process
The inferior tip of the sternum, a landmark for upper midline incisions.
McBurney's point
A landmark one-third the distance from the ASIS to the umbilicus, classically associated with appendectomy incision placement.
Linea alba
The avascular midline fibrous band of the abdominal wall, preferred for vertical midline incisions.
Sternal angle (angle of Louis)
A palpable landmark marking the level of the second rib and the tracheal bifurcation.
Physiologic Response to Surgery
Stress response
The body's hormonal and metabolic response to surgical trauma, including catecholamine and cortisol release.
Homeostasis
The body's tendency to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Hypothermia (perioperative)
Unintended drop in core body temperature during surgery, associated with impaired healing and increased infection risk.
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