Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Anatomy and Physiology

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology is crucial for healthcare providers, especially for EMS personnel.
• Anatomy focuses on the structure and makeup of the organism, divided into gross anatomy (study of organs and their location) and microscopic anatomy (study of tissues and cellular components).
• Physiology studies the processes and functions of the body.
• Homeostasis is the state of balance in which organs and systems function effectively. Maintaining homeostasis is essential for normal life processes.
• Pathophysiology studies the functioning of an organism in the presence of disease.
• Disease may result when the body cannot maintain homeostasis.

Body Systems

• Skeletal System: composed of 206 bones, providing support, movement, and protection.
• Muscular System: composed of fibers that contract, causing movement. Three types of muscle: skeletal (striated), smooth, and cardiac.
• Circulatory System: consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
• Lymphatic System: passive circulatory system that transports lymph, a plasma-like fluid that bathes the tissues.
• Immune System: integral to the lymphatic system, defends against foreign substances and pathogens.
• Respiratory System: includes organs and structures involved in breathing, gas exchange, and air intake.
• Nervous System: complex network of structures that control voluntary and involuntary body activities.
• Gastrointestinal System: composed of structures and organs involved in food intake, digestion, and elimination.
• Urinary System: removes waste products from the blood through filtration, producing urine.
• Reproductive System: includes structures responsible for sexual reproduction in males and females.
• Endocrine System: consists of glands that secrete hormones to regulate body functions.
• Integumentary System: includes skin, nails, hair, and sweat and oil glands.

Anatomical Terminology

• Topographic Anatomy: refers to the surface landmarks of the body.
• Anatomic Position: patient stands facing the observer, arms by their side, palms forward.
• Directional Terms: refer to the patient's left or right, not the observer's.
• Anatomic Planes: imaginary lines that divide the body:
  • Frontal (Coronal) Plane: divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.
  • Transverse (Axial) Plane: divides the body horizontally.
  • Sagittal (Lateral) Plane: divides the body vertically into right and left sections.
  • Midsagittal Plane (Midline): divides the body into equal left and right halves.
• Directional Terms: describe relative positions of body parts:
  • Superior: closer to the head.
  • Inferior: closer to the feet.
  • Medial: situated toward the midline.
  • Lateral: situated away from the midline.
  • Proximal: nearer to the trunk.
  • Distal: farther from the trunk.
  • Anterior (Ventral): belly or front side.
  • Posterior (Dorsal): spinal side or back.
• Abdominal Quadrants: two lines intersecting at the umbilicus, dividing the abdomen into four quadrants: right upper, left upper, right lower, and left lower.

Body Movements

• Range of Motion (ROM): full distance a joint can be moved.
• Flexion: moving a distal point of an extremity closer to the trunk.
• Extension: returning a body part from a flexed position to the anatomic position.
• Hyperflexion: exceeding the normal range of motion in flexion.
• Hyperextension: exceeding the normal range of motion in extension.
• Internal Rotation: turning an extremity medially.
• External Rotation: turning an extremity away from the midline.
• Abduction: moving an extremity away from the midline.
• Adduction: moving an extremity toward the midline.

Recumbent Positions

• Supine: lying face up.
• Prone: lying face down.
• Trendelenburg: supine with the head lower than the feet.
• Fowler: sitting up with knees bent or straight.
• Semi-Fowler: sitting up with the upper body slightly leaning back.
• Recovery Position (Left Lateral Recumbent): helps maintain an airway in an unresponsive patient.

Basic Chemistry for Anatomy and Physiology

• Matter: anything that takes up space and has mass.
• Mass: physical property that determines an object's weight.
• Elements: fundamental substances that compose matter.
• Atoms: tiny particles that compose elements.
  • Protons: positive charge.
  • Neutrons: neutral charge.
  • Electrons: negative charge.
• Atomic Number: number of protons in an atom.
• Atomic Weight: number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
• Isotopes: atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
• Radioactivity: emission of energetic particles due to instability of atomic nuclei.
• Molecule: chemical structure consisting of atoms held together by covalent bonds.
• Ions: atoms that gain or lose electrons, carrying an electrical charge.
• Ionic Bonds: form between ions with opposite charges.
• Covalent Bonds: form when atoms share electrons.
• Hydrogen Bonds: weak bonds between polar molecules.

Compounds

• Compounds: molecules made up of different bonded atoms.
• Water: formed by two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

This quiz covers essential concepts of anatomy and physiology, focusing on the structure and function of the human body. It includes topics such as body systems, homeostasis, and the impact of disease on physiological processes. Ideal for healthcare providers, especially EMS personnel.