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.