Anatomy

MPharm Programme: Anatomy

• The program is PHA115 Anatomy
• The course is taught by Dr Praveen Bhugra
• It is part of the University of Sunderland

Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to understand, define, and describe anatomy and physiology.
• They will be able to describe various subspecialties of anatomy and physiology.
• Students need to explain basic body functions.
• Knowledge of the six levels of organization will be required.
• A brief overview of 11 organ systems and their functions will be provided.

Learning Objectives (Continued)

• Students will be able to describe anatomical positions, regional names, and directional terms for the human body.
• They will need to explain the major planes and sections of the body.
• Students will need to understand and explain the body cavities and their subdivisions.
• They must explain the locations of organs in their specific cavity, abdominopelvic quadrants, and regions.

Introduction

• Anatomy and physiology are two branches of science.
• These sciences provide understanding of body parts and functions.
• Anatomy studies structure
• Physiology studies body functions

Anatomy

• Anatomy is the study of bodily structure or the process of cutting.
• Early anatomical study focused on understanding bodily structure.

Human Anatomy

• Studies the shape and structure of the human body, its origin, development patterns relative to function and the external environment.
• Focuses on macro and microscopic structure details and cellular organization.
• Categorization accounts for individual sexual and constitutional features, such as height.

Anatomy (Subspecialties)

• Gross or Macroscopic:
  • Regional: Study of structures in a specific region (e.g., abdomen)
  • Systemic: Study of a specific body system
  • Surface: Study of deep structures in relationship to the surface layer (e.g., skin)
• Microscopic:
  • Cytology: Study of cells
  • Histology: Study of tissues
• Developmental:
  • Study of developmental changes occurring throughout life, including embryology (changes prior to birth)

Physiology

• Physiology is the study of normal bodily function at the cellular, tissue, organ, system and organism levels.
• It investigates the workings of specific organ systems (e.g., renal – kidney function, neurophysiology)
• Often focuses on the cellular and molecular levels of function and how specific systems work.

Physiology (Subspecialties)

• Cell physiology: Study of cell function
• Special physiology: Study of functions of a specific organ
• Systemic physiology: Study of system function
• Pathophysiological physiology: Study of how diseases affect bodily functions

Anatomy and Physiology (Subspecialties)

• Provide broad descriptions of different fields of anatomy and physiology.
• Include details about particular areas of specialization.

Basic Functions of Organisms

• Metabolism: Chemical processes within an organism.
• Responsiveness: Sensitivity to changes in environment.
• Movement: Motion activities.
• Growth: Increase in size.
• Differentiation: Development into specialized tissues.
• Reproduction: Generation of new organisms.

Comparative Anatomy

• All vertebrates exhibit similar organizational patterns during their embryonic development.

6 Levels of Organization

• Chemical: Atoms combine to form molecules (example: DNA)
• Cellular: Basic unit of life; contains organelles.
• Tissue: Groups of similar cells and surrounding material.
• Organ: Group of tissues performing a specific function.
• System: Group of organs performing common functions.
• Organism: All systems working together.

An Introduction to the Organ Systems

• Integumentary System: Skin and associated structures
• Skeletal System: Bones and cartilage
• Muscular System: Muscle tissue (including skeletal and smooth)
• Nervous System: Brain, spinal cord, nerves
• Endocrine System: Glands that secrete hormones
• Cardiovascular System: Heart and blood vessels
• Lymphatic System: Fluid and vessels involved in immunity
• Respiratory System: Lungs and associated structures
• Digestive System: GI tract and associated organs
• Urinary System: Kidneys, bladder, and associated structures
• Reproductive System: Gonads and associated structures

Clinical Connection: Diagnosis of Disease

• To differentiate between disorders using a process that includes:
  • Identifying signs and symptoms
  • Gathering a medical history
  • Conducting a physical examination
  • Using non-invasive procedures such as pulse checks.

Basic Anatomical Terminology

• Using standard language for body parts and functions.
• Adherence to anatomical position.
• Use of specialized vocabulary for relationships.

Body Positions

• Anatomical position: Body upright, facing forward, feet flat on the ground, arms at sides with palms facing forward.
• Supine: Lying face up.
• Prone: Lying face down.

Regional Names

• Categorizing areas of the body according to specific regions or features. Examples of regions are head, neck, and trunk.

Directional Terms

• Descriptors explaining one body part in relation to another (e.g., anterior, posterior, superior, inferior, lateral, medial)

Planes and Sections

• Sagittal: Divides into left & right sections.
  • Midsagittal: Through the midline.
  • Parasagittal: Off the midline.
• Frontal (Coronal): Divides into front & back sections.
• Transverse (Axial/Horizontal): Divides into top & bottom sections.
• Oblique: Cuts or sections at an angle (other than vertical or horizontal)

Anatomical Terms

• Body cavities are spaces that safeguard and support internal organs.
• The cavities include the dorsal cavity (cranial and vertebral canal), the ventral cavity (thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities).

Thoracic and Abdominal Cavity Membranes

• These are layers of serous membranes encompassing organs in these cavities.
  • Pleura surrounds lungs.
  • Pericardium surrounds the heart.
  • Peritoneum surrounds abdominal organs.

Body Cavities and their Subdivisions

• Detailed descriptions of cavities categorized by their specific structures (cranial, vertebral, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic).
• Thoracic cavity is further divided into pleural and pericardial cavities as well as mediastinum.

Abdominopelvic Cavity: 4 and 9 Regions

• Subdivisions categorized by quadrant (RUQ, RLQ, LUQ, LLQ).
• Regions further stratified into smaller sections (9 distinct areas)

Other Cavities

• Descriptions of specific cavities: oral, nasal, orbital, and middle ear.
• Inclusion of synovial cavities (found in joints).

Further Reading

• Specific textbooks are listed to support further study and learning about detailed topics.