Anatomy and Body Organization

Anatomical Position

• Standard reference point
• Body standing erect, face forward
• Arms at sides, palms forward
• Feet parallel, toes forward

Levels of Organization

• Chemical level
• Cellular level
• Tissue level
• Organ level
• Organ system level
• Organism level

Relative Positions

• Anterior/Ventral: Front of the body
• Posterior/Dorsal: Back of the body
• Superior/Cranial: Towards the head
• Inferior/Caudal: Towards the tail/feet
• Medial: Towards the midline
• Lateral: Away from the midline
• Proximal: Closer to point of attachment/trunk
• Distal: Farther from point of attachment/trunk
• Superficial: Closer to the surface
• Deep: Farther from the surface
• Parietal: Relating to the body wall
• Visceral: Relating to the internal organs
• Intermediate: Between two structures

Body Systems & Organization

• Integumentary System: Protection, temperature regulation
• Skeletal System: Support, protection, movement
• Muscular System: Movement, heat production
• Nervous System: Control, coordination
• Endocrine System: Hormone production, homeostasis
• Cardiovascular System: Transport of materials
• Lymphatic System: Immunity, fluid balance
• Respiratory System: Gas exchange
• Digestive System: Food processing
• Urinary System: Waste elimination, water balance
• Reproductive System: Species continuation

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity:
  • Cranial cavity: Houses the brain
  • Vertebral cavity: Houses the spinal cord
• Ventral Cavity:
  • Thoracic cavity: Contains heart & lungs
  • Abdominal cavity: Contains digestive organs
  • Pelvic cavity: Contains bladder & reproductive organs

Chemical Basis of Life

• Most Common Elements:
  • Oxygen (65%)
  • Carbon (18%)
  • Hydrogen (10%)
  • Nitrogen (3%)

Organic Compounds & Roles

• Carbohydrates: Energy source, structural components
• Lipids: Energy storage, cell membrane structure, insulation
• Proteins: Structural components, enzymes, transport molecules
• Nucleic Acids: Genetic information storage, protein synthesis

pH Scale & Acid-Base Concepts

• pH Scale: 0-14
• Acids: pH < 7
• Bases: pH > 7
• Neutral: pH = 7
• Neutralization: Acid + Base → Salt + Water

Enzyme Factors Affecting Chemical Reactions

• Temperature
• pH
• Substrate concentration
• Enzyme concentration
• Inhibitors/Activators

Cellular Biology

• Cell Division Phases:

  • Interphase: (G1, S, G2)
  • Mitosis:
    • Prophase: Chromosomes condense, nuclear envelope breaks down, spindle fibers form
    • Metaphase: Chromosomes align at metaphase plate
    • Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate
    • Telophase: Chromosomes decondense, nuclear envelope reforms
  • Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm divides

• Organelles & Functions:

  • Nucleus: Genetic control center
  • Mitochondria: Energy production
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum: Protein synthesis & transport
  • Golgi Apparatus: Protein packaging & secretion
  • Lysosomes: Cellular digestion
  • Ribosomes: Protein synthesis
  • Cell Membrane: Selective barrier
  • Cytoplasm: Internal medium
  • Vacuoles: Storage
  • Centrioles: Cell division

Tissues

• Four Types of Tissues & Functions:
  • Epithelial: Protection, secretion, absorption
  • Connective: Support, protection, storage
  • Muscle: Movement, heat production
  • Nervous: Signal transmission, integration
• Tissue Facts:
  • Most abundant tissue by weight: Connective tissue
  • Healing capacity:
    • Easy healing: Epithelial tissue
    • Poor healing: Nervous tissue
    • Cardiac tissue: Specialized involuntary striated muscle
• Muscle Tissue Types:
  • Voluntary (Skeletal): Controlled consciously (e.g., biceps, quadriceps)
  • Involuntary (Smooth): Automatic control (e.g., digestive tract, blood vessels)

Integumentary System

• Burns Classification (Rule of Nines): Estimates burn surface area
• Burn Degrees:
  • First-degree (superficial): redness in skin
  • Second-degree (partial thickness): blisters
  • Third-degree (full thickness): flesh burned away
  • Fourth-degree (extends beyond skin): bones/organs damaged
• Skin Structure:
  • Largest organ
  • Three layers: Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis (subcutaneous)
• Skin Glands:
  • Sebaceous glands: Produce oily sebum
  • Sudoriferous (sweat) glands: Produce watery sweat for temperature regulation
• Skin Cancer Types:
  • Basal cell carcinoma: Least dangerous, most common
  • Squamous cell carcinoma: Can cause death if untreated
  • Melanoma: Most deadly, spreads rapidly
• Keratinization: Process of keratinocytes differentiating to form skin's outer layer
• Vascular vs. Avascular:
  • Vascular (dermis): Contains blood vessels
  • Avascular (epidermis): No blood vessels

Skeletal System

• Joint Types:
  • Fibrous joints (immovable)
  • Cartilaginous joints (slightly movable)
  • Synovial joints (freely movable)
    • Ball and socket (hip, shoulder)
    • Hinge (knee, elbow)
    • Pivot (neck)
    • Gliding (wrist, ankle)
    • Saddle (thumb)
    • Condyloid (knuckles)
• Major Bones:
  • Axial skeleton (80 bones): Skull, vertebrae, ribs, sternum
  • Appendicular skeleton (126 bones): Upper & lower extremities, pelvic & shoulder girdles