Anatomy and Physiology Compared

Anatomy and Physiology Compared

• Anatomy studies the structure and form of the body
• Cytology is the study of body cells and their internal structure
• Physiology studies the function of the body parts
• Histology is the study of body tissues
• Anatomists and physiologists use the scientific method to study the body
• Gross anatomy, studies body parts visible to the unaided eye
• The scientific method involves observation, hypothesis development, experimentation, and data analysis
• Systemic anatomy focuses on each functional body system
• Early anatomists and physiologists used the scientific method to understand blood circulation
• Regional anatomy studies all structures in a specific body region
• Surface anatomy focuses on superficial markings and their relation to internal structures
• Comparative anatomy examines similarities and differences across species
• Embryology studies developmental changes from conception to birth
• Pathologic anatomy examines anatomic changes due to disease, both macroscopically and microscopically
• Radiographic anatomy investigates internal structures visualized by scanning procedures

Anatomy and Physiology Integrated

• Anatomy and physiology are intertwined; understanding form is necessary to understand function, and vice versa
• Figures called Concept Overviews connect and integrate previously discussed content

Effective Study Techniques

• Begin studying from the first week of class with daily study sessions
• Avoid marathons close to exam time
• Multitasking is a myth, minimize distractions and focus
• Use active learning methods instead of passive reading:
  • Create tables to organize information
  • Draw and label structures
  • Create flowcharts of processes
  • Quiz yourself repeatedly
• Teaching and explaining a concept to a partner helps solidify your knowledge
• Exploit the resources in textbooks and digital platforms

Body's Organization Levels and Characteristics of Life

• Scientists group the body into an organizational hierarchy by form and function
• The characteristics that describe living things are:
  • Organization: complex structure and order
  • Metabolism: sum of chemical reactions (anabolism and catabolism)
  • Growth and development: increased size and specialization
  • Responsiveness: ability to detect and react to stimuli
  • Regulation: ability to adjust internal functions to environmental changes
  • Reproduction: production of new cells for growth, maintenance, and repair
• Structural organization from simplest to most complex:
  • Chemical: atoms and molecules
  • Cellular: cells as basic living units
  • Tissue: groups of similar cells with common functions
  • Organ: two or more tissue types performing specific functions
  • Organ system: multiple organs coordinating activities
  • Organismal: all body systems functioning interdependently

Organ Systems

• The human body contains 11 organ systems which are:
  • Integumentary
  • Skeletal
  • Muscular
  • Nervous
  • Endocrine
  • Cardiovascular
  • Lymphatic
  • Respiratory
  • Urinary
  • Digestive
  • Reproductive
• The human microbiome is a collection of microorganisms residing in the body
• It potentially functions as another human organ

Precise Language of Anatomy

• Clinicians and researchers use precise language for consistent communication
• Anatomic terms describe body position, direction, regions, and cavities
• Terminology is mainly derived from Greek and Latin
• Anatomic position: standing upright, feet parallel, upper limbs at the sides, palms anterior, head level, and eyes forward
• Coronal (frontal) plane: divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
• Transverse plane: divides the body into superior and inferior parts
• Midsagittal (median) plane: divides the body into equal left and right halves
• Sagittal plane: divides the body into unequal left and right portions
• Oblique planes pass through a structure at an angle
• Be aware of all the Anatomic Directional Terms like:
  • Anterior or Posterior (front or back)
  • Superior or Inferior (towards the head or tail)
  • Medial or Lateral (towards the midline or away from the midline)
  • Proximal or Distal (close or away from the point of origin)
• Study the Anatomic regional names like:
  • Brachial (arm), Crural (leg), Femoral (thigh) etc

Body Cavities and Membranes

• Body cavities enclose internal organs and organ systems
• Posterior aspect contains the cranial cavity and vertebral canal completely encased in bone
• These are lines with serous membranes
• Serous membranes consist of parietal (lining body wall) and visceral (covering organs) layers
• Serous fluid between layers reduces friction
• Thoracic cavity is superior portion
• Abdominopelvic cavity is the inferior portion
• Abdominopelvic cavity divided into abdominal and pelvic cavities
• The thoracic cavity's median space is called the mediastinum, holding the heart, thymus, esophagus and trachea
• Pericardium encloses the heart
• Pleura surrounds the lungs
• The term Dorsal body cavity has been used by others to describe this posterior aspect

Abdominopelvic Regions and Quadrants

• The abdominopelvic cavity is divided into nine regions:
  • Umbilical, epigastric, hypogastric
  • Right and left hypochondriac
  • Right and left lumbar
  • Right and left iliac
• It can also be simplified into four quadrants:
  • RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ

Homeostasis

• Homeostasis refers to the body’s ability to maintain a consistent internal environment
• Homeostatic systems have three components:
  • Receptor: detects changes in a variable
  • Control center: interprets input and initiates changes
  • Effector: brings about the change
• Negative feedback loops maintain variables within normal range by counteracting changes (e.g., temperature regulation)
• Positive feedback loops amplify the stimulus until a climactic event occurs (e.g., breastfeeding)
• Understanding homeostasis is essential for understanding normal body function, disease mechanisms, and drug effects

Homeostasis, Health, and Disease

• Homeostasis is dynamic and controlled by the nervous or endocrine systems
• Disease may occur when these systems fail due to genetics, lifestyle, or age
• Treatments involve diagnosing the homeostatic imbalance and facilitating the body's maintenance of homeostasis
• Treatments are conducted through the administration of medications or throught other therapeutic avenues