Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Anatomy

• Definition: Study of the structure and organization of living organisms.
• Divisions:
  • Gross Anatomy: Examination of structures visible to the naked eye.
  • Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular and tissue level (e.g., histology).
• Regions:
  • Cranial: Skull and brain.
  • Thoracic: Chest region, including the heart and lungs.
  • Abdominal: Contains digestive organs, kidneys, etc.
  • Pelvic: Reproductive and excretory organs.
• Body Planes:
  • Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right.
  • Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides body into anterior and posterior.
  • Transverse Plane: Divides body into superior and inferior.

Physiology

• Definition: Study of the function of body parts and systems.
• Key Concepts:
  • Homeostasis: Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.
  • Cell Physiology: Functions of cellular components, including metabolism, signaling, and reproduction.
  • Organ System Physiology: Functions of specific systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.
• Feedback Mechanisms:
  • Negative Feedback: Detrimental changes are reversed (e.g., temperature regulation).
  • Positive Feedback: Enhances changes, often leads to a specific outcome (e.g., childbirth).

Interrelation

• Anatomy and physiology are interdependent; understanding the structure (anatomy) aids in comprehending its function (physiology).
• Examples:
  • Heart anatomy (four chambers) facilitates its function in pumping blood.
  • Alveoli structure (thin walls, large surface area) supports gas exchange in lungs.

Major Organ Systems

1. Skeletal System

   • Structure: Bones, cartilage.
   • Function: Support, movement, protection, blood cell production.

2. Muscular System

   • Structure: Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
   • Function: Movement, posture, heat production.

3. Nervous System

   • Structure: Brain, spinal cord, nerves.
   • Function: Control and coordinate body activities, response to stimuli.

4. Endocrine System

   • Structure: Glands (e.g., pituitary, thyroid).
   • Function: Hormone production, regulation of body functions.

5. Cardiovascular System

   • Structure: Heart, blood vessels, blood.
   • Function: Transport of nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products.

6. Respiratory System

   • Structure: Lungs, trachea, bronchi.
   • Function: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).

7. Digestive System

   • Structure: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas.
   • Function: Breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, waste elimination.

8. Urinary System

   • Structure: Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.
   • Function: Removal of waste, regulation of blood volume and pressure.

9. Reproductive System

   • Structure: Male and female reproductive organs.
   • Function: Production of offspring, secretion of sex hormones.

10. Integumentary System

    • Structure: Skin, hair, nails.
    • Function: Protection, temperature regulation, sensory reception.

Anatomy

• The study of the structure and organization of living organisms.
• Gross Anatomy: Examination of structures visible to the naked eye.
• Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular and tissue level (e.g., histology).
• Regions:
  • Cranial: Skull and brain.
  • Thoracic: Chest region, including the heart and lungs.
  • Abdominal: Contains digestive organs, kidneys, etc.
  • Pelvic: Reproductive and excretory organs.
• Body Planes:
  • Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right.
  • Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides body into anterior and posterior.
  • Transverse Plane: Divides body into superior and inferior.

Physiology

• The study of the function of body parts and systems.
• Key Concepts:
  • Homeostasis: Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.
  • Cell Physiology: Functions of cellular components, including metabolism, signaling, and reproduction.
  • Organ System Physiology: Functions of specific systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.
• Feedback Mechanisms:
  • Negative Feedback: Detrimental changes are reversed (e.g., temperature regulation).
  • Positive Feedback: Enhances changes, often leads to a specific outcome (e.g., childbirth).

Interrelation

• Anatomy and physiology are interdependent; understanding the structure (anatomy) aids in comprehending its function (physiology).
• Examples:
  • Heart anatomy (four chambers) facilitates its function in pumping blood.
  • Alveoli structure (thin walls, large surface area) supports gas exchange in lungs.

Major Organ Systems

• Skeletal System
  • Structure: Bones, cartilage.
  • Function: Support, movement, protection, blood cell production.
• Muscular System
  • Structure: Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
  • Function: Movement, posture, heat production.
• Nervous System
  • Structure: Brain, spinal cord, nerves.
  • Function: Control and coordinate body activities, response to stimuli.
• Endocrine System
  • Structure: Glands (e.g., pituitary, thyroid).
  • Function: Hormone production, regulation of body functions.
• Cardiovascular System
  • Structure: Heart, blood vessels, blood.
  • Function: Transport of nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products.
• Respiratory System
  • Structure: Lungs, trachea, bronchi.
  • Function: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
• Digestive System
  • Structure: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas.
  • Function: Breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, waste elimination.
• Urinary System
  • Structure: Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.
  • Function: Removal of waste, regulation of blood volume and pressure.
• Reproductive System
  • Structure: Male and female reproductive organs.
  • Function: Production of offspring, secretion of sex hormones.
• Integumentary System
  • Structure: Skin, hair, nails.
  • Function: Protection, temperature regulation, sensory reception.

This quiz covers the essential concepts of anatomy and physiology, focusing on the structure and function of living organisms. It includes divisions of anatomy, regions of the body, body planes, and key physiological concepts like homeostasis and cell physiology.