General Anatomy Overview

Definition: Study of the structure of the body and its parts.
Branches:
- Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye.
- Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures that require magnification, including histology and cytology.
- Developmental Anatomy: Study of changes from conception to adulthood (embryology).

Levels of Organization:
1. Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules.
2. Cellular Level: Cells as the basic units of life.
3. Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells performing specific functions (four primary tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).
4. Organ Level: Structures made up of two or more tissue types.
5. Organ System Level: Groups of organs working together (e.g., digestive system).
6. Organism Level: The whole living individual.

Standard Reference Position:
- Standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms facing forward.

Directional Terms:
- Superior (above)
- Inferior (below)
- Anterior (front)
- Posterior (back)
- Medial (toward the midline)
- Lateral (away from the midline)
- Proximal (closer to the trunk)
- Distal (further from the trunk)

Skeletal System: Provides structure; protects organs; facilitates movement.
Muscular System: Responsible for movement; maintains posture; produces heat.
Nervous System: Controls body activities through electrical signals; processes sensory information.
Endocrine System: Glands that secrete hormones; regulates processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Cardiovascular System: Transports blood, nutrients, and waste products; includes heart and blood vessels.
Respiratory System: Responsible for gas exchange; includes lungs and air passages.
Digestive System: Breaks down food; absorbs nutrients; eliminates waste.
Urinary System: Eliminates waste; regulates blood volume and pressure; maintains electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System: Produces gametes; responsible for reproduction.

Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities; functions in protection, absorption, secretion, and sensation.
Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and protects other tissues and organs; includes cartilage, bone, blood, and adipose tissue.
Muscle Tissue:
- Skeletal: Voluntary, striated muscle; moves bones.
- Cardiac: Involuntary, striated muscle; makes up the heart.
- Smooth: Involuntary, non-striated muscle; found in walls of hollow organs.
Nervous Tissue: Composed of neurons and glial cells; transmits impulses and processes information.

Systems work together to maintain homeostasis and ensure the body functions effectively. For instance, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems collaborate for gas exchange and circulation.

Normal variations in anatomy exist among individuals, affecting size, shape, and structure, which can influence physiological functions.

The study of the structure of the body and its parts.
Branches:
- Gross Anatomy: Visible to the naked eye.
- Microscopic Anatomy: Requires magnification (histology and cytology).
- Developmental Anatomy: Changes from conception to adulthood (embryology).

Levels of Organization:
- Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules form the foundation.
- Cellular Level: Cells are the essential units of life.
- Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells with specific functions (epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).
- Organ Level: Structures composed of multiple tissue types.
- Organ System Level: Groups of organs working together (e.g., digestive system).
- Organism Level: The complete living individual.

Standard Reference Position:
- Standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

Directional Terms:
- Superior: Above
- Inferior: Below
- Anterior: Front
- Posterior: Back
- Medial: Toward the midline
- Lateral: Away from the midline
- Proximal: Closer to the trunk
- Distal: Further from the trunk

Skeletal System: Provides structure, protects organs, facilitates movement.
Muscular System: Responsible for movement, maintains posture, produces heat.
Nervous System: Controls body activities via electrical signals, processes sensory information.
Endocrine System: Secrete hormones, regulate processes (growth, metabolism, reproduction).
Cardiovascular System: Transports blood, nutrients, and waste, includes heart and blood vessels.
Respiratory System: Gas exchange, includes lungs and air passages.
Digestive System: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste
Urinary System: Eliminates waste, regulates blood volume and pressure, maintains electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System: Produces gametes, responsible for reproduction.

Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities, functions in protection, absorption, secretion, and sensation.
Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and protects other tissues and organs, includes cartilage, bone, blood, and adipose tissue.
Muscle Tissue:
- Skeletal: Voluntary, striated muscle, moves bones.
- Cardiac: Involuntary, striated muscle, makes up the heart.
- Smooth: Involuntary, non-striated muscle, found in walls of hollow organs.
Nervous Tissue: Composed of neurons and glial cells, transmits impulses and processes information.

Systems work together to maintain homeostasis and ensure the body functions effectively.
- The respiratory and cardiovascular systems collaborate for gas exchange and circulation.