Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Definition: Study of the structure of the body and its parts.
Types:
- Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye (e.g., organs).
- Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular level (e.g., histology).
- Developmental Anatomy: Study of anatomical changes throughout life stages.

Definition: Study of the function of body parts and systems.
Levels of Organization:
- Cellular Level: Cell functions like metabolism and transport.
- Tissue Level: Group of cells with a common function (e.g., epithelial, muscle).
- Organ Level: Composed of different tissues to perform specific functions (e.g., heart).
- System Level: Group of organs that work together (e.g., cardiovascular system).

Skeletal System:
- Composed of bones and cartilage.
- Functions: Support, movement, protection, blood cell production.
Muscular System:
- Composed of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: Movement, posture, heat production.
Circulatory System:
- Includes heart, blood, and blood vessels.
- Functions: Transport nutrients, oxygen, hormones; remove waste.
Nervous System:
- Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Functions: Control and communicate between body parts.
Respiratory System:
- Includes nose, trachea, lungs.
- Functions: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System:
- Composed of gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs (e.g., liver).
- Functions: Break down food, absorb nutrients, eliminate waste.
Endocrine System:
- Comprises glands that secrete hormones (e.g., thyroid, adrenals).
- Functions: Regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction.
Immune System:
- Includes lymph nodes, spleen, white blood cells.
- Functions: Defend against pathogens, remove damaged cells.
Integumentary System:
- Consists of skin, hair, nails.
- Functions: Protect underlying tissues, regulate temperature, sensory perception.
Reproductive System:
- Male and female reproductive organs (e.g., testes, ovaries).
- Functions: Produce gametes, facilitate reproduction.

Definition: Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
Mechanisms:
- Feedback Mechanisms:
  - Negative Feedback: Reduces output to maintain equilibrium (e.g., temperature regulation).
  - Positive Feedback: Enhances output for specific processes (e.g., childbirth).

Anatomical Position: Standard body position used as a reference (standing, facing forward, arms at sides).
Directional Terms:
- Superior/Inferior: Above/Below
- Anterior/Posterior: Front/Back
- Medial/Lateral: Closer to the midline/Further from the midline
- Proximal/Distal: Closer to point of attachment/Further from point of attachment

Basic Unit of Life: All living organisms composed of cells.
Types:
- Prokaryotic: Simple, no nucleus (e.g., bacteria).
- Eukaryotic: Complex, with nucleus (e.g., plant and animal cells).

Types:
- Epithelial: Covers surfaces, lines cavities.
- Connective: Supports and binds other tissues (e.g., bone, blood).
- Muscle: Responsible for movement.
- Nervous: Transmits impulses for communication.

Study of the structure of the body and its parts
Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye (e.g., organs)
Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular level (e.g., histology)
Developmental Anatomy: Study of anatomical changes throughout life stages

Study of the function of body parts and systems
Cellular Level: Cell functions like metabolism and transport
Tissue Level: Group of cells with a common function (e.g., epithelial, muscle)
Organ Level: Composed of different tissues to perform specific functions (e.g., heart)
System Level: Group of organs that work together (e.g., cardiovascular system)

Skeletal System: Composed of bones and cartilage, functions include support, movement, protection, blood cell production
Muscular System: Composed of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles, functions include movement, posture, heat production
Circulatory System: Includes heart, blood, and blood vessels, functions include transport nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and remove waste
Nervous System: Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, functions include control and communication between body parts
Respiratory System: Includes nose, trachea, lungs, functions include gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
Digestive System: Composed of gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs (e.g., liver), functions include break down food, absorb nutrients, eliminate waste
Endocrine System: Comprises glands that secrete hormones (e.g., thyroid, adrenals), functions include regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction
Immune System: Includes lymph nodes, spleen, white blood cells, functions include defend against pathogens, remove damaged cells
Integumentary System: Consists of skin, hair, nails, functions include protect underlying tissues, regulate temperature, sensory perception
Reproductive System: Male and female reproductive organs (e.g., testes, ovaries), functions include produce gametes, facilitate reproduction

Maintenance of a stable internal environment
Feedback Mechanisms:
- Negative Feedback: Reduces output to maintain equilibrium (e.g., temperature regulation)
- Positive Feedback: Enhances output for specific processes (e.g., childbirth)

Anatomical Position: Standard body position used as a reference (standing, facing forward, arms at sides)
Directional Terms:
- Superior/Inferior: Above/Below
- Anterior/Posterior: Front/Back
- Medial/Lateral: Closer to the midline/Further from the midline
- Proximal/Distal: Closer to point of attachment/Further from point of attachment

Basic Unit of Life: All living organisms composed of cells
Types:
- Prokaryotic: Simple, no nucleus (e.g., bacteria)
- Eukaryotic: Complex, with nucleus (e.g., plant and animal cells)

Types:
- Epithelial: Covers surfaces, lines cavities
- Connective: Supports and binds other tissues (e.g., bone, blood)
- Muscle: Responsible for movement
- Nervous: Transmits impulses for communication